ABSTRACT
According to neurobiologist Bruce Perry (2002:81), there are three key brain systems relevant to survival and reproductive success. They are mechanisms that (1) facilitate responses to threats to our well-being, (2) facilitate mate selection and reproduction, and (3) facilitate the protection and nurturing of the young. This chapter focuses on mechanisms 1 and 3; number 2 is addressed in Chapter 7. Frequent references to brain anatomy in this and subsequent chapters make it necessary to briefl y describe areas of the brain (in greatly simplifi ed fashion) that are relevant to neurologically based theories of criminality. Discussion of the brain structures and functions mentioned here will be expanded on as we discuss particular theories.
