Biological Explanations: genetic and Neural Flashcards
genetic
what does the genetic explanation suggest
people may inherit a gene that makes them pre disposed to criminal behaviour
genetic
who conducted the research on twin studies
christiansen (1977)
genetic
outline christians research on twin studies and criminality
- 3500 twin pairs with “offender behaviour” checked against police records
- MZ males - 35%
- DZ males - 13%
genetic
what does christiansens research on twin studies suggest
- suggests a genetic component to criminality
- MZ twins (share 100% of genes) have a higher concordance rate
genetic
outline the adoption stidy research
- adoptess with a criminal mother have a 50% chance of having a crimal record aged 18
- control group has 5% chance
genetic
what are the candidate genes associated with criminality
- MAOA
- CDH13
genetic
explain how the MAOA gene is involved with criminality
- regulates serotonin within the brain
- excess neurotransmitters - = increased aggression and impulsivity
- increased amygdala activity and decreased pre frontal cortex activity
genetic
explain how the CDH13 gene is involved with criminality
- reduced impulse control and attention regulation
genetic
explain the diathesis stress model of criminality
- higher level of antisocial behaviour and the MAOA-L gene
- only when there has been traumed before age 18
genetic
outline the genetic explanation of offending behavuior (3 marks)
- criminality is inherited through genetic factors
- studies on twins show higher concordance rates for criminal behaviour in MZ twins than DZ
- specific genes such as MAOA and CDH13 have been linked to aggression and impulsivity
- however only expressed if person suffered significant trauma
genetic
give two strengths of the biological explanation
- supporting evidence
- biological determinism - predictions can be made
genetic
give two limitations of the genetic explanation
- issues with twin and adoptee evidence
- biological determinism - whos responsible?
genetic
give a PEELH for the genetic explanation
strength
- P - supoporting evidence
- Eg - christiansen found concordance rate of 35% in MZ twins, compared to 13% in DZ twins
- Ex - suggests there is a genetic component to criminality as MZ twins hsare 100% of their genes
- L - strengthens the biological explanation because it indicates biological factors contribute to criminal behaviour
- H - fails to account for shared environments as MZ twins more likely to experience similiar upbringing so envrionmental factors could be responsible
genetic
give a PEELH for the genetic explanation
weakness
- P - biological determinism
- Eg - suggests offending behaviour is determind by innate biological factors
- Ex - out of the persons control so it creates legal issues as it questions the extent to which offenders can be held responsible
- L - challenges the justice system
- H - criminal behaviour is not determined solely by genetics
neural
what does the neural explanation suggest
suggests that brain stricture and funcntion may influence behaviours associated with criminality
neural
who conducted the neural study to investigate the brain activity in murders
raine et al (1997)
neural
explain the method of raine et als study
- PET scans of 41 murderers compared withn a control of 41 non murderers
neural
what were the results of raine et als study
- lower activity in the pre frontal cortex - linked to loweer self control
- abnormal assymetries - reduced acticity on the left
- lower aciticity in amygdala - reduced fear
neural
explain how mirror neurons may link to criminality
- these neurons fire as though your completing an action yourself if you understand the intentions behind someone elses actions
- this helps build empathy and social connection
- therefore, there is reduced ability to appreciate the emotional impact of ones actions on others
neural
explain a stuidy which provides evidence for the neural explanation
kandal and freed
- found people with damage to the frontal lobe tended to show impulsive behaviour and an inability to learn from their mistakes
neural
Explain the neural explanation of criminality.
(4 marks)
- abnormalities in brain structure and function can contribute to criminal behaviour
- eg, reduced acticity in the pre frontal cortex which is essential for impulse control and decision making my lead to increased risk taking
- some research also suggests abnormalities in mirror neurons which normally help individuals understand others might reduce the ability to empathise which facilityates antisocial behaviour
- however, these neural factoes interact with genetic and environmental factors meaniung they dont solely determine criminality
neural
explain discrediting evidence to the neural explanation
farrington et al
- studies groups of males who scored high on psycopathy
- these indiciduals has various risk factors during childhood and it could bt these which caused the psycopathy and neural differenmces
- therefore, the relationship is complex and there may be other variables
strength
give a PEELH for the neural explanation
- P - supporting evidence
- Eg - kandal and freed. found people with damage to their frontal lobe tended to show impulsive behaviour and an inability to learn from their mistakes
- Ex - supports the neural explanation suggesting damage to frontal lobe could be an explanation for antisocial behaviour as this brain region is involved in decision making
- L - increases validity of the explanation as it provides scitenific and objective evidence
- H - damage to the frontal lobe does not guarentee antisocial behaviour suggesting other factors may also play a role
limitation
give a PEELH for the neural explanation
- P - the explanation may overlook significant environmental factors
- Eg - farrignton et al. studies group of males who scored high on psycopathy and these individuals had various risk factors during childhood
- Ex - this evidence suggests that it could have been the risk factors such as negelct or abuse that might have contributed to the development of psycopathic traits rather than solely neural dysfunction
- L - the neural explaantion is insufficient as the relationship between brain structure and antisocial behaviour is more complex
- H - the impact of these environmental factors underscores a necessity for an approach that involves bth biological and environmental influences
