Question

What kind of specific hormones are responsible for the criminal behaviour? How they effect the behaviour of an individual?

Answer 1

• Stress hormones are responsible for criminal behaviour.
• Examples of such stress hormones include; cortisol, testosterone, catecholamines etc.
• One such stress hormone which plays an important role in criminal behaviour is cortisol.

Pathophysiology of cortisol in criminal behaviour:-

• Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis is responsible for the release of cortisol.
• Disruption of the HPA axis leads to decreased secretion of cortisol and increased aggressiveness in the individual leading to criminal behaviour.

It is as follows:-

Disruption of HPA axis by neurotransmitters or hormones --->adrenal gland suppressed--->decreased secretion of cortisol---> person does not fear punishment---> thus increasing criminal behaviour in the individual.