*Biological Explanations:Genetic And Neural

Question 1

What do genetic explanations suggest about offenders?

Answer 1

Offenders inherit a gene or combination of genes that predispose them to crime

Question 2

In Christiansen’s study of twins, what were the concordance rates for offender behavior?

Answer 2

• 35% for identical twins (MZ)
• 13% for non-identical twins (DZ)

Question 3

What was the sample population of Christiansen’s twin study?

Answer 3

All twins born between 1880 and 1910 in Denmark

Question 4

What did Crowe’s study reveal about adopted children with a criminal mother?

Answer 4

50% chance of having a criminal record by age 18

Question 5

What is the chance of adopted children without a criminal mother having a criminal record by age 18?

Answer 5

5%

Question 6

What did Tilhonen’s genetic analysis suggest about violent crime?

Answer 6

Two genes (MAOA and CDH13) may be associated with violent crime

Question 7

What role does the MAOA gene play?

Answer 7

Regulates serotonin and is linked to aggressive behavior

Question 8

What is the association of the CDH13 gene?

Answer 8

Linked to substance abuse and ADHD

Question 9

According to Tilhonen, what percentage of severe violent crime in Finland is attributable to MAOA and CDH13?

Answer 9

5-10%

Question 10

What does the Diathesis-Stress Model suggest about the role of genetics and environment?

Answer 10

A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers contribute to behavior

Question 11

What factors might contribute to criminal behavior according to the Diathesis-Stress Model?

Answer 11

• Dysfunctional environment
• Criminal role models

Question 12

What evidence suggests neural differences in offenders?

Answer 12

Differences in the brains of offenders and non-offenders, particularly with antisocial personality disorder (APD)

Question 13

What is a characteristic of antisocial personality disorder (APD)?

Answer 13

Reduced emotions and lack of empathy

Question 14

What did Raine’s studies reveal about the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in individuals with APD?

Answer 14

Reduced activity in the PFC and an 11% reduction in grey matter volume

Question 15

What is the function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC)?

Answer 15

Regulating emotional behavior

Question 16

What recent findings suggest about empathy in offenders with APD?

Answer 16

They can experience empathy but do so sporadically

Question 17

True or False: The equal environment assumption in twin studies posits that twins raised together experience the same environmental factors.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What is a limitation of twin studies regarding higher concordance rates in MZ twins?

Answer 18

MZ twins may be treated more similarly than DZ twins

Question 19

What is a limitation of adoption studies in separating nature from nurture?

Answer 19

Adopted children may still experience the influence of biological parents

Question 20

What did Mednick et al’s study of Danish adoptees reveal about criminal convictions?

Answer 20

The percentage of adoptees with convictions increased with criminality in biological or adoptive parents

Question 21

What were the percentages of adoptees with convictions based on parental criminality?

Answer 21

• 13.5% when neither parent had convictions
• 20% when either parent had convictions
• 24.5% when both parents had convictions

Question 22

What is a strength of the neural explanations regarding crime?

Answer 22

Evidence supports the link between crime and frontal lobe damage

Question 23

What behaviors tend to be exhibited by individuals with frontal lobe damage?

Answer 23

• Impulsiveness
• Emotional instability
• Inability to learn from mistakes

Question 24

What role does the frontal lobe play in behavior?

Answer 24

Responsible for planning behavior