Biological explanations: Genetic and Neural

Question 1

genetic explantion

Answer 1

• offenders inherit a candidate gene (prominent gene linked to cause) that predisposes them to commit crimes

Question 2

twin study evidence from criminals

Answer 2

Lange: 13mz, 10 had a twin in prison, 17dz 2 had a twin in prison
Christiansen: 87mz, 33%, dz: 12%

Question 3

Candidate genes: KEY STUDY

Answer 3

Tiihonen (2014)
- analysed over 900 offenders and revealed abnormalities associated on two genes that may be associated with violent crimes
- MAOA gene & CDH13

Question 4

MAOA gene

Answer 4

• controls dopamine and serotonin in the brain
• high levels are associated with aggressive behaviour

Question 5

CDH13 gene

Answer 5

• regulates neural pathways and contributes
• to maintaining excitatory and inhibitory synapses
• high levels also found in ADD

Question 6

Brunner 1993

Answer 6

• studied 28 offenders from the same family had the same variation of MAOA gene

Question 7

diathesis-stress model

Answer 7

• predisposed genes and experiences/environmental factors trigger criminal behaviour
• epigenetics: environmental factors that alter the expression of a gene, inheritable

Question 8

neural explanations

Answer 8

• much evidence from investigating individuals diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder formally known as psychopathy
• associated with reduced emotional responses, a lack of empathy for others

Question 9

neural: brain scans

Answer 9

fMRI show criminals have reduced activity in the frontal cortex - less dense
- more likely to react impulsively

Question 10

Phineas Gage

Answer 10

• damage to frontal lobe - became more aggressive after

Question 11

Raine’s research in neural explanations

Answer 11

• found an 11% reduction in grey matter of the PFC in ppl w/ ADD compared to controls
• also found a reduction in the limbic system which regulates emotion