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

analyses over 900 offenders and revealed abnormalities on two that may be associated with violent crime

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

studied 28 offenders from some family had some variation of the MAOA gene

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

gene have cells that can switch a gene on, once are affected by environmental experiences

Question 8

Lange

Answer 8

Investigated 13 identical (MZ) and 17 non-identical (DZ) twins where one of the twins in each pair had served time in prison.

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