Which physiological difference is listed as a biological explanation for crime?

Which physiological difference is listed as a biological explanation for crime?

• A. High testosterone.
• B. Low serotonin.
• C. Low cortisol.
• D. High dopamine unrelated to behavior.

Answer: (B)

Low serotonin is highlighted because this neurotransmitter helps regulate mood, aggression, and impulse control. When serotonin levels are relatively low, people tend to have poorer impulse control and greater irritability, which can lead to more aggressive or reactive behavior. In criminology and forensic psychology, this pattern is often cited as a biological factor that can contribute to criminal acts, especially when combined with environmental stressors or a history of trauma. The other options are less consistently linked as a broad biological explanation. While high testosterone has been associated with aggression in some studies, findings are mixed and context-dependent, so it’s not as robust a standalone explanation. Low cortisol has associations with certain antisocial or callous profiles, but the evidence is not as uniform across crimes and populations. The idea of high dopamine being unrelated to behavior is inaccurate, since dopamine is closely tied to motivation, reward, and risk-taking, which can influence criminal behavior; the choice implying it’s unrelated doesn’t fit existing evidence.

Low serotonin is highlighted because this neurotransmitter helps regulate mood, aggression, and impulse control. When serotonin levels are relatively low, people tend to have poorer impulse control and greater irritability, which can lead to more aggressive or reactive behavior. In criminology and forensic psychology, this pattern is often cited as a biological factor that can contribute to criminal acts, especially when combined with environmental stressors or a history of trauma.

The other options are less consistently linked as a broad biological explanation. While high testosterone has been associated with aggression in some studies, findings are mixed and context-dependent, so it’s not as robust a standalone explanation. Low cortisol has associations with certain antisocial or callous profiles, but the evidence is not as uniform across crimes and populations. The idea of high dopamine being unrelated to behavior is inaccurate, since dopamine is closely tied to motivation, reward, and risk-taking, which can influence criminal behavior; the choice implying it’s unrelated doesn’t fit existing evidence.