biological explanations: genetic and neural

Question 1

genetic explanation

Answer 1

offenders inherit a gene, or combination of genes that predispose them to commit a crime

Question 2

Tiihonen (2014)

Answer 2

analysed the genetic profiles of over 900 Finnish offenders and found that abnormalities in the MAOA and CDH13 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of violent criminal behavior

Question 3

MAOA gene

Answer 3

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

Question 4

CDH13

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Brunner

Answer 5

investigated 28 male members of a Dutch family who carried a mutation in the MAOA gene and exhibited violent and antisocial behavior

Question 6

diathesis stress model

Answer 6

• suggests genes themselves do not cause behaviour
• genes predispose someone to a behaviour, depending on their experiences

Question 7

epigenetics

Answer 7

Environmental experiences, such as stress or trauma, can affect epigenetic markers in cells, which in turn can switch certain genes on or off, influencing how they are expressed.

Question 8

Lange

Answer 8

investigated 13 identical (monozygotic, MZ) and 17 non-identical (dizygotic, DZ) twin pairs, where in each pair, one twin had served time in prison. He found that identical twins were more likely to both be criminals compared to non-identical twins, suggesting a genetic influence on criminal behavior.

Question 9

Lange found that how many of the MZ twins and how many DZ twins had a co-twin who was also in prison.

Answer 9

10 and 2

Question 10

What did Lange conclude?

Answer 10

Genetic factors must play a predominant part in offending behaviour

Question 11

Antisocial personality disorder

Answer 11

Reduced emotional responses and a lack of empathy for the feelings of others