Biological explanations Flashcards
What is genetic explanation for crime?
offenders inherit a gene or combination of genes that predisposes them to commit crime
what are 2 genetic explanations for crime?
- Candidate genes = Tilhonen et al (2014) study of 900 offenders revealed 2 abnormalities that may be associated with violent crime is MAOA gene ( controls dopamine and serotonin) and CDH13 ( linked to substance abuse and attention deficit disorder)
- indivuals with this combination were 13 times more likely to have a history of violent behaviour. - Twin studies:
Lange (1930) studied 13 MZ twins and 17 DZ twins where one of the twins in each pair has spent time in prison. 10 of the MZ twins but only 2 of the DZ twins had a co-twin that also spent time in prison.
What are 2 neural explanations
Prefrontal cortex= individuals who experience antisocial personality disorder show reduced activity in the PFC, the part of the brain that regulates emotional behaviour, raine (2000) found an 11% reduction in the volume of grey matter in the PFC of people with APD compared to control groups.
Mirror Neurons =
Keysers (2011) found that only when criminals were asked to empathize with others did their empathy reactions activate. This is controlled by mirror neurons and suggests that criminals do experience empathy, although it is not an automatic response.
evaluation for biological explanation for criminal behaviour.
deterministic = biological explanation has implications on legal system as it negates free will and effectively gives Defence to those who claim to have “criminal gene”.
lacks validity = early twins studies are often unreliable since zygosity ( whether twins are MZ or DZ ) was based on appreance rather than DNA testing
support from the diathesis stress model = Mednick (1984) studied 14423 Danish adoptees and found that the percentage of adoptees who had criminal conviction was highest if they had both a biological and adoptive parent with a conviction. suggest both genetic and environmental causes are important.
