Biology and Criminality

The video discusses the evolving understanding of criminality through the lens of behavioral science, focusing on how neural, genetic, and environmental factors may disrupt current legal frameworks. It highlights the historical use of psychological defenses in criminal law and the challenges in defining criminal behavior for genetic studies. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the questions posed in understanding the impact of behavioral science on law.

What is the main factor that determines whether the understanding of neural, genetic, and environmental contributions will disrupt the criminal justice system?

• The age of the offender

• The location of the crime

• The specific questions being asked

• The type of crime committed

How have psychological defenses been integrated into criminal law historically?

• They are not recognized in most legal systems.

• They are only used in cases of mental illness.

• They have been part of criminal law for a long time.

• They have been a recent addition to criminal law.

What is one of the main challenges in studying behavioral genetics related to criminality?

• Lack of funding for research

• Legal restrictions on genetic studies

• Defining criminal behavior consistently

• Insufficient genetic data

Why have early studies on behavioral genetics and criminality been discredited?

• They were based on outdated technology.

• They failed to account for environmental factors.

• They treated all criminal behaviors as the same.

• They focused only on genetic factors.

What specific behaviors are later behavioral genetic studies more interested in isolating?

• Aggression and violence

• Impulsivity and risk-seeking

• Empathy and compassion

• Honesty and integrity