Biological Explanations - Genes

Question 1

What were McGuffin and Gottesman’s results?

Answer 1

They found a concordance rate of 87% for juvenile aggressive and anti-social behaviour in MZ twin pairs, compared to 72% in DZ twins

Question 2

What is the general principle of genes and aggression?

Answer 2

Aggressive parents pass on their aggressive tendencies to their children

Question 3

What initially discovered a link between genes an aggression?

Answer 3

Studies into the development of aggression

Question 4

What did studies into the development of aggression discover?

Answer 4

That often aggressive children have aggressive parents, suggesting parents pass on their aggressive tendencies to their children

Question 5

Why was the concordance rate of MZ twins in McGuffin and Gottesman’s study?

Answer 5

87%

Question 6

Why was the concordance rate of DZ twins in McGuffin and Gottesman’s study?

Answer 6

72%

Question 7

What does McGuffin and Gottesman’s study suggest?

Answer 7

There is a significant genetic contribution to aggressive behaviour

Question 8

In relation to studies researching genes, how could a psychologist identify if genes contributed to levels of aggression?

Answer 8

If the aggressive group shared the variant of the gene whereas the comparison (non-aggressive) group didn’t.

Question 9

What have researchers recently discovered in relation to genes?

Answer 9

The gene (the warrior gene) responsible for the production of the enzyme MAOA monoamine oxidase A may be associated with aggressive behaviour.

Question 10

What gene is associated with aggressive behaviour?

Answer 10

The warrior gene

Question 11

What enzyme is associated with aggressive behaviour?

Answer 11

Monoamine Oxidase A MAOA

Question 12

What is MAOA’s official name?

Answer 12

Monoamine Oxidase A

Question 13

What is Monoamine Oxidase A?

Answer 13

An enzyme

Question 14

What is Monoamine Oxidase A’s responsible for?

Answer 14

Breaking down the three neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline after they have carried nerve impulses from one cell to another.

Question 15

What neurotransmitters are broken down by MAOA?

Answer 15

Noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine

Question 16

What breaks down serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline?

Answer 16

Monoamine Oxidase A

Question 17

Where are serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline broken down?

Answer 17

In the brain

Question 18

When are serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline broken down?

Answer 18

After they have carried nerve impulses from one cell to another

Question 19

When does the warrior gene potentially cause aggression?

Answer 19

When it is faulty or not functioning properly

Question 20

How may the warrior gene not functioning properly lead to aggression?

Answer 20

A faulty warrior gene may lead to aggression as the production of MAOA is affected, thus meaning noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine are not broken down leading to excess levels of these neurotransmitters which are linked to aggression.

Question 21

What studies link to genes?

Answer 21

McGuffin and Gottesman
Lagerspetz
Brunner et al

Question 22

What are the biological explanations of aggression?

Answer 22

Genes, hormones and neurotransmitter imbalances

Question 23

What are identical twins otherwise known as?

Answer 23

MZ twins

Question 24

What are MZ twins?

Answer 24

Identical twins

Question 25

What are DZ twins?

Answer 25

Non-identical twins

Question 26

In which type of twins is aggressive behaviour more highly correlated in?

Answer 26

MZ

Question 27

What percentage of genes do MZ twins share?

Answer 27

100%

Question 28

What percentage of genes do DZ twins share?

Answer 28

50%

Question 29

What are the problems with twin studies?

Answer 29

Researches assume MZ and DZ twins raised in the same homes experience the same environments. Also, concordance rates are invariably below 100%, meaning genetic influence is only part of the explanation

Question 30

How may MZ and DZ twins be treated differently?

Answer 30

DZ twins may not be the same gender and treated differently. MZ twins maybe treated as less of an individual e.g parents dress them the same

Question 31

How are concordance rates in twin studies a problem?

Answer 31

They are invariable below 100%, which means genetic influence is only part of the explanation. If the behaviour was entirely a result of genetic influence you would expect the concordance rate to be 100%

Question 32

Briefly, what was Brunner et al’s method?

Answer 32

Men within a family were particularly aggressive, they analysed 28 males within the family and found all the violent males had a genetic defect on their X chromosome

Question 33

What were Brunner et al’s findings?

Answer 33

The aggressive men all had the defect on their X chromosome. Also, found they had excess levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin and low levels of the substances created when the 3 neurotransmitters are broken down.

Question 34

What did Brunner et al conclude??

Answer 34

An excess in serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline may in some way predispose men to violence

Question 35

What does Brunner et al’s support?

Answer 35

The warrior gene

Question 36

What were Lagerspetz findings?

Answer 36

The group of mice who were bred with two aggressive parents were super-aggressive whereas the group of mice who were bred with less aggressive parents were very docile

Question 37

How is our confidence in Lagerspetz increased?

Answer 37

She assured social influence didn’t play a 3rd factor as she cross fostered offspring from the 7th generation

Question 38

What were Lagerspetz findings when the offspring were cross fostered?

Answer 38

Nice from the ‘aggressive’ strain demonstrated more aggressive behaviour

Question 39

What debates can be considered in relation to Lagerspetz’s study?

Answer 39

Animal studies

Question 40

Explain the animal issue debate for Lagerspetz’s study?

Answer 40

Some would argue that it is morally wrong to use animals in studies as we are gods stewards on this earth and thus need to care for them appropriately.

Others would argue that the use of animals in studies is acceptable because we can find out much about aggression without causing harm to humans.

Question 41

What is naturalistic fallacy?

Answer 41

Our moral reasoning to not cause humans harm is the result of evolution, then using other species to improve human health is the next evolutionary step.

Question 42

What debates need to be considered when looking at the genetic explanation and associated studies?

Answer 42

Androcentricism
Nature v Nurture
Free Will
Positive implications

Question 43

Discuss the androcentric debate for Brunner et al’s study…

Answer 43

It is difficult to generalise this study to the aggression levels of women. Women may not be affected by this marker. This study only supports the theory in regards to men.

Question 44

What positive implications does findings from genetic research have?

Answer 44

It is easier to identify people whom may require specialist therapy to help them manage aggressive behaviour

Question 45

Explain the free will debate with genetics as an explanation of aggression…

Answer 45

This research implies that people do not have free will over their own decisions and it is a result of their biology. This is socially sensitive as people may argue they should not be held responsible for their inexcusable actions because of this. People may attempt to manipulate the legal system

Question 46

What evidence works alongside the free will debate?

Answer 46

Research that illustrates that not all people with the warrior gene and violent childhoods become aggressive - meaning people can exercise free will.