Deck 4: Understanding Risk Factors for Offending: The Contributions of Neuroscience

Question 1

Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) have been shown to correlate with aggressive behaviours. They may be due to:

A) Genes
B) Anoxia
C) Bleeding
D) Infection
E) All of the above

Answer 1

All of the above

Question 2

The greater the amount of maternal smoking during pregnancy, the greater the risk of criminality later in life.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Obstetrical (birth) complications interact with psychosocial risk factors, such as severe maternal rejection, when they exert an influence on antisocial behaviour.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Below are three risk factors for antisocial behaviour. Two are post-natal risk factors and one is a prenatal risk factor. Can you identify the prenatal risk factor?

A) Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
B) Attachment
C) Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Question 5

Which attachment style is most often associated with parental maltreatment and is sometimes indicative of the parent having experienced an unresolved loss or trauma of their own?

A) Secure (autonomous) attachment
B) Dismissive attachment
C) Preoccupied/anxious attachment
D) Disorganised attachment

Question 6

Attachment at the neurobiological level is primarily driven by oxytocin and _______.

Question 7

Monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) has been linked to antisocial behaviour.

Question 8

The modification of which of these risk factors has not been shown to reduce antisocial behaviour?

A) Prenatal alcohol exposure
B) Smoking in pregnancy
C) Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
D) Prenatal education in nutrition, health, and parenting

Question 9

A preoccupied/anxious attachment style is most commonly associated with psychopathy.

Question 10

______ disorder is often a precursor to antisocial behaviour.

Question 11

The limbic system, particularly the amygdala and the anterior cingulated, is associated with social behaviour.

Question 12

Give the full name of a technique that has been used to examine the structural integrity of the brain.