Summary: The Female Brain

The brain is the key to our existence and carrying out daily functions, whether we are aware of the process or not as it is carried out. This factor becomes important as well when understanding the role of development with criminal involvement. The male brain is different in several ways to the female brain not only in size but in structure as well. The average male brain weighs around 11% more than the female brain (Craig et al., 2004, 270). The differences in the structure are in certain regions, for example the cerebrum, frontal and medial paralimbic cortices, the fronto –medial cortex, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus. These areas of the brain control different behaviors as well as actions and reactions that can contribute to criminal
(Wright et al., 2015, 135) Thus, with the amygdala and the hypothalamus being bigger in males this could contribute to the fact that they react more to the negative things or negative effects occurring. Therefore, it has been suggested that woman are able to bond with more individuals and continue the bonds, which in turn could help detour antisocial behaviors with the negative impact it may cause with those within their social structures. Not all things are related just to the structure of the brain, hormones also play a part of how the brain functions as well. This information tells us that there is a higher level of testosterone within the male system and that men have been known to be 20 times more aggressive than females in most cultures at any given time. A male individual is more likely to be involved in serious violent offenses such as murder, armed robbery, and participate more in risk taking and sensation seeking behaviors. (Wright et. al, 2015, 134) It is not to say that women don’t participate in these types of crimes however, there is a greater likelihood for males. Men also have a greater risk of dependence issues and personality disorders that also set a path for antisocial involvement, which could lead to continued criminal involvement and are 5 times more likely to be under correctional supervision for criminal offenses. Women do not escape these issues that can also lead down this path towards correctional supervision. The knowledge that women are dealing with interrelationship connections can lead them to commit crimes dealing with small groups or those crimes dealing with failed connections such as prostitution or property type