The aim of the chapter is to give both an overview and history of the
burgeoning field of neuroscience.
In the chapter, it is noted that the interest in understanding why individuals
commit crime, from a neurobiological perspective, dates as far back as the
early 19th century with Franz Joseph Gall’s phrenology and the work of
Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso.
The heavy focus on the brain rather fell into abeyance in the early part of
the 20th century, with there being more interest in sociological explanations
of crime and only a relatively few researchers noticing the importance of the
brain in understanding offending.
An understanding of the relationship between brain dysfunction and criminal
behavior really started to pick-up again in the 1980s. Attention started to
turn to why humans need such large brains, and the idea that this is needed
for coalition formation and tactical deception, which interestingly are rarely
seen in other species (the social brain hypothesis).
The most important area of the brain associated with social functioning is
the limbic system. This area is a loosely defined collection of brain structures
that play crucial roles in the control of emotions and motivation.
It is noted that a number of genetic and environmental problems (e.g.,
adverse developmental courses, early deprivation, and other suboptimal rearing
conditions) can have an effect upon these areas.
The ensuing atypical morphological organization could result in social withdrawal,
explosive and inappropriate emotionality, pathological shyness, and
an inability to form normal emotional attachments (Joseph, 2003). It can
also set the scene for later antisocial behaviors.