Is Undiagnosed ADHD Driving Crime? A Guide for AQA Psychology Students
- Georgie M
- Dec 19
- 4 min read
Recent reports from The Guardian and a seminal study by the University of Cambridge and the Metropolitan Police (Brown et al., 2024) have shed light on a critical issue within the UK justice system. Researchers screened 602 individuals across six London custody suites and found that 48.2% of detainees screened positive for ADHD, while 14% showed traits of autism. Crucially, the majority of these individuals were previously undiagnosed. The study suggests that without early intervention, neurodivergent individuals are significantly more likely to enter the "revolving door" of the justice system, often turning to illicit substances to "self-medicate" undiagnosed symptoms.
For AQA A-Level Psychology students, this isn't just a headline...it’s a goldmine for your Paper 3 (Forensic Psychology) and Issues and Debates revision. Understanding how neurodivergence interacts with the criminal justice system is key to mastering AO1 (Knowledge) and AO3 (Evaluation).
Core Concepts: Integrating the Met Police Study
To achieve top marks, I always advise students to avoid "tenuous links." You need to clearly outline the AQA concept first, then use the 2024 study as contemporary evidence to support or challenge that theory.
Differential Association Theory (Sutherland)
The Theory: Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory (DAT) is a psychological explanation that suggests offending behaviour is learned through social interaction. Individuals acquire the "techniques" of crime and, more importantly, "pro-criminal attitudes" from their peer groups. If the number of pro-criminal influences outweighs anti-criminal ones, the individual is likely to offend.
The Link: The 2024 Met Police study found that drug offences were common among those screening positive for neurodivergent traits, with many participants reporting "self-medication." From a DAT perspective, it can be argued that neurodivergent individuals who are unsupported in mainstream settings (like schools) may experience social exclusion. This exclusion often pushes them towards marginalised peer groups where drug use is normalised. In these groups, they don't just learn to use drugs; they learn the rationalisations and pro-criminal attitudes required to sustain that behaviour. Therefore, undiagnosed ADHD may be the catalyst that places an individual in an environment where differential association occurs.
Issues and Debates: Biological Determinism vs. Interactionism
The Theory: Biological determinism is the "hard" view that human behaviour is caused by internal factors (genes, neurochemistry, brain structure) over which we have no control. This contrasts with the Interactionist approach, which suggests that biology and environment work together.
The Link: The statistic that nearly 50% of detainees have ADHD could be misinterpreted as evidence for biological determinism—the idea that a "faulty" brain leads inevitably to a prison cell. However, I suggest using this study to argue for Interactionism. While ADHD provides the biological vulnerability (impulsivity, dopamine deficiency), it is the environmental failure (lack of diagnosis and support) that leads to the criminal outcome. As Sir Simon Baron-Cohen noted, early screening and intervention could change a life's trajectory. This suggests that while biology "loads the gun," it is the environment and "Free Will" (or lack of support) that "pulls the trigger."
AO3: Critical Evaluation & The PEAL Structure
To reach Level 4 (13-16 marks) in a long-answer response, you must move beyond simply stating a strength or weakness. You need to analyse the research. I recommend using the PEAL structure to organise your thoughts:
Point: State the evaluative point.
Evidence: Refer to the study or a specific finding.
Analysis: Explain why this matters for the theory or the legal system.
Link: Connect it back to the original essay question.
Detailed Evaluation of the Met Police Study
1. Methodological Limitation: The Self-Report Trap
A major critique of this study is its reliance on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). In a high-stress environment like a Met Police custody centre, the validity of these scores may be compromised. Detainees might "over-report" symptoms (demand characteristics) in hopes of receiving more lenient treatment or "under-report" due to a lack of trust in authority. For your revision, this means that while the 50% figure is high, you must question whether it represents a true clinical diagnosis or a reaction to the situational stress of being arrested.
2. Ethical Implications: Social Sensitivity
Research into neurodivergence and crime is "Socially Sensitive." On one hand, it is a strength because it advocates for better legal protections and "diversion" schemes (preventing unnecessary incarceration). On the other hand, it risks creating a "stigma" or "criminal archetype." If society begins to associate ADHD directly with criminality, it could lead to discrimination in schools or workplaces, effectively creating a self-fulfilling prophecy (labelling theory).
3. The Problem of Causality: Correlation vs. Causation
I always remind my students to be careful not to state that ADHD causes crime. The relationship is correlational. It is possible that people with ADHD are simply easier to catch because their symptoms involve impulsivity and poor planning. They are less likely to be "successful" criminals who evade detection, which may artificially inflate the percentage of ADHD sufferers found in police custody compared to the general population.
Key Terms Glossary
Biological Determinism: The belief that behaviour is caused by biological (internal) factors.
Differential Association: A theory that crime is learned through social interaction and communication.
Ecological Validity: The extent to which research findings can be generalised to real-life settings.
Executive Dysfunction: A range of cognitive processes (including impulse control) that are often impaired in ADHD.
Interactionist Approach: The view that behaviour is the result of both biological and environmental factors.
Neural Explanation: Explaining behaviour in terms of brain structure or neurotransmitters.
Social Sensitivity: Research that has potential social consequences or implications for the groups being studied.
Exam Practice: AQA Paper 3 Style Questions
Outline and evaluate one biological explanation for offending. Refer to the role of ADHD and neural factors in your answer. (16 marks)
Discuss the ethical implications of psychological research into neurodivergence within the criminal justice system. (8 marks)
Explain how 'self-medication' could be seen as an Interactionist explanation for drug-related offences. (4 marks)
Want to challenge yourself? Read the full research article below!
👋 About the Tutor
Hi, I’m Georgie — an online tutor specialising in A-Level Psychology and GCSE Maths. I’m passionate about helping students bridge the gap between understanding the content and mastering the exam. My background is in Criminology and Political Psychology, so I LOVE crime and crime policy!
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