Question 1

What percentage of all criminal cases uses the insanity defense?

Accepted Answer

Less than 1 percent of all criminal cases use the insanity defense. While high-profile cases involving the insanity defense may garner a lot of media attention, they are actually quite rare.

Question 2

The role of _____ in violent crime is of growing importance in understanding the dynamics of the interactions among the forces of biology, psychological factors, and our environment.

Accepted Answer

The role of neurobiology in violent crime refers to the study of how brain structure and function can contribute to violent behavior. This includes investigating the impact of genetics, neurotransmitters, and brain injuries on an individual's propensity towards violence. As research in this area grows, it is becoming increasingly important in understanding the complex nature of violent crime. Sociology (B) may also play a role in understanding the social factors that contribute to violent crime, but it is not directly related to the biological and psychological factors discussed in the question. Podiatry (C) is the study and treatment of foot disorders and has no relevance to understanding violent crime. Psychology (D) is closely related to the topic of the question, but does not specifically address the role of neurobiology in violent crime.

Question 3

The hormone that inhibits the secretion of stomach acid and stimulates smooth muscle and acts as a neurotransmitter in brain functioning is known as:

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a hormone that inhibits stomach acid secretion, stimulates smooth muscle, and acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

Question 4

The Brawner Rule intends to exclude _________from using the insanity defense.

Accepted Answer

The Brawner Rule was established to exclude defendants with anti-social personality disorders from using the insanity defense. This ruling was made because it was difficult to determine whether the defendant's actions were the result of a mental illness or a result of their personality disorder. It was believed that individuals with anti-social personality disorders were able to control their behavior and therefore should be held responsible for their actions. The Brawner Rule was later replaced by the Model Penal Code standard, which provides more guidance on when the insanity defense can be used.

Question 5

Anxiety disorders include:

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorders encompass conditions like social phobia, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which are characterized by excessive fear or anxiety.

Question 6

This killer had subpar intelligence, suffered from kryptopyroluria, suffered multiple head trauma, was raised in a dysfunctional family, experienced sexual and physical abuse, had homosexual experiences at age 11, had sex with animals, and went on as an adult to kill female prostitutes.He sometimes returned to the crime scenes days later to mutilate the corpses and take trophies.

Accepted Answer

Arthur Shawcross fits the description as he had a troubled childhood, suffered head injuries, and was known for killing female prostitutes and returning to mutilate the bodies.

Question 7

Reiss and Roth found that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reiss and Roth found that:
...

Question 8

In dissociative amnesia:

Accepted Answer

Dissociative amnesia involves the inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

Question 9

According to ______, the mind is constantly engaged in balancing the three-part personality structure of id, ego, and superego.

Accepted Answer

The three-part personality structure of id, ego, and superego is a key concept in Freudian psychoanalytic theory. Freud believed that the mind is in a constant state of conflict between these three elements, and that mental health depends on finding a balance between them.

Question 10

The following was/were believed to be able to detect criminal predisposition by examining bumps and abnormalities on the surface of the skull.

Accepted Answer

Phrenologists believed in the pseudoscientific theory that different mental abilities and traits were localized in specific areas of the brain, which could be identified through palpation and examination of the shape and size of bumps and abnormalities on the skull. This approach was popular in the 19th century but is now discredited.

Question 11

In their studies of homicide offenders, Virkkunen et al., and Linnoila et al., found that:

Accepted Answer

Virkkunen et al. and Linnoila et al. found that the impulsive group of homicide offenders had lower levels of serotonin. There is no mention of dopamine levels in relation to impulsiveness or non-impulsiveness.

Question 12

The essential inquiry involved when M'Naughten Rule is applied is:

Accepted Answer

The M'Naughten Rule focuses on whether the defendant was able to understand the nature of the act and distinguish between right and wrong at the time of the offense due to a mental defect.

Question 13

According to Eysenck, which is more likely to be involved in antisocial behavior?

Accepted Answer

Eysenck's theory suggests that extroverts are more likely to engage in antisocial behavior due to their higher need for stimulation and lower levels of arousal, which may lead them to seek out risky or antisocial activities.

Question 14

In her study of psychopathology and mass murder, Souza found that most of these have a history of mental illness.

Accepted Answer

The study specifically focuses on psychopathology and mass murder, indicating that the correct choice is A, mass murderers. The other options are not mentioned in the context of the study.

Question 15

The 2000 DSM-IV defines this as "the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states."

Accepted Answer

The DSM-IV defines dissociative identity disorder as the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states.

Question 16

Which dissociative disorder involves a person feeling detached from his/her mental processes of physical body?

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization disorder involves a person feeling detached from their mental processes or physical body, as if they are an outside observer of themselves.

Question 17

According to Eysenck the foundation for criminality is:

Accepted Answer

Eysenck's theory suggests that criminal behavior is a result of the interaction between environmental factors and inherited personality traits, particularly focusing on dimensions like extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

Question 18

In ____the Supreme Court ruled that insanity may continue after the criminal act, and therefore the offender could be placed in a psychiatric facility until such time when he or she is determined to have recovered from his or her afflictions.

Accepted Answer

In Jones v. United States, the Supreme Court addressed the issue of indefinite commitment for individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity, ruling that such individuals could be hospitalized for a period longer than they might have been incarcerated if found guilty, provided their mental illness persisted.

Question 19

Which can best be attributed to the term "insanity?"

Accepted Answer

Insanity is a legal term and refers to a person's mental state at the time of committing a crime. It is a judicial determination made by a court of law and not a psychiatric diagnosis. Psychosis or any other mental illness may be considered as evidence in the determination of insanity, but the final decision is made by the judge or jury.

Question 20

A mental disorder or syndrome that is unintentionally caused in a patient by a clinician or practitioner is called:

Accepted Answer

Iatrogenic refers to a condition that is caused by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures, including mental disorders unintentionally caused by a clinician.

Quiz 3: Psycho-Genetics of Serial Murderers