Lecture Questions
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Lecture Questions
Question 1
Yes, I believe that it is possible to predict violent behavior. This can be actualized by way of studying certain traits of the human biology and psychology which are predictive of human behavior. Monahan, with regards to this question supports the idea that it is possible to predict violent behavior by giving the many obvious relevant factors adequate weight in the assessment of dangerousness hence eliciting a pattern that could adequately be employed in predicting violent behavior (Bernard, Snipes, & Gerould, 2016).
Question 2
With hormones, the main focus is on how they predispose an individual to behaviors that are suggestive of increased likelihood of committing or engaging in criminal activities. The focus of the research studies concerned with evaluating how hormones affect human behavior emphasize on the level of each hormone in the body and the likelihood that these hormones level correspond to the behavior elicited by the individual. The best example being the level of testosterone in male biology where the main hypothesis is that higher than normal levels of this hormone translates to increased likelihood of aggression and hence higher chances that the individual will be involved in criminal activities (Bernard, Snipes, & Gerould, 2016). Therefore, theirs is mostly an inside to outside kind of approach to the human biology and how it informs behavior.
In contrast, the arousal theory moves in the opposite direction from outside to inside. It determines the level of brain arousal that takes part when individuals are involved in certain activities and how that level of arousal correlates with the likelihood of the individual to take part in criminal activities. What is measure here is the amount of brain responses termed the arousal threshold when an individual is exposed to certain stimuli. The major conclusion from arousal theory is that individuals who depict a lower threshold of response to certain stimuli are more likely to engage in criminal activities especially lower arousal levels to punishment (Bernard, Snipes, & Gerould, 2016.
References
Bernard, J. T., Snipes, B. J., & Gerould, L. A. (2016).Vold’s Theoretical Criminology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.