3.5.2 genetics evaluation (bio) Flashcards
what was found when 14000 adoptees were analysed by medick et al
15% of sons adopted to a criminal family went on to be criminals compared with 20% whose biological (but not adoptive) parents were criminal,
What do Mednick et els findings suggest
that inherited genes are a more significant factor than environment
What was found when Raine analysed the delinquency of twins
Found 52% concordance rate for MZ twins compared to only 21% for DZ twins
What did Han Brunner et al do
analysed DNA of 28 male members of a Dutch family who had histories of impulsive and violent criminal behaviours such as rape and attempted murder.
What did Han Brunner et al find
It was found the family shared abnormally low levels of MAOA, due to a particular gene.
What did Vasos et al find
no evidence of an association between any single gene and aggressive behaviour.
What do Vasos et al’s findings suggest
that this is a simplified explanation
What did raine find about reduced brain function in violent individuals
have reduced functioning in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain involved in regulating emotion and controlling behaviour, and moral behaviour in general. Lowered activity in this area is associated with impulsiveness and a loss of control.
What ethical issue is caused by putting a violent person in prison because of Genetics findings
Suggests criminal has no free will. Why should they be sentenced if it isn’t their fault. Surely society should be helping them rather than blaming them
What may the genetics findings cause
Labelling of people and imprisonment of people before they even commit a crime
Why can crime be hard to explain in terms of genetics
Crime is a social construct this makes it difficult to argue that such a behaviour can simply be explained in terms of genetics and it’s interaction with the environment.
What was found about brain injuries in prison by Harmon 2012
found in general 8.5% of the US population have had a brain injury compared with 60% in US prisons. This common observation may mean brain differences are due to nurture not nature.
