Criminality- Inherited Criminality Flashcards
What is the genetic factors involved in inherited criminality? What is it supported by?
Genes predispose to criminal behaviour.
Supported by twin studies comparing concordance rate.
What two genes have been linked to criminal behaviour?
MAOA and CDH13.
Brunner (1993) found a group of criminals shared a gene which accounted for abnormally low levels of MAOA.
What is the role of epigenetics in the diathesis-stress model?
Proposes genes are switched on or off by epigenomes which have been affected by environmental factors.
Describe differences in the brain in inherited criminality.
Criminal genes may cause differences in areas of the brain or in key neurotransmitters.
E.g- Raine (2004) found reduced functioning in the prefrontal cortex.
Low levels of serotonin may predispose individuals to aggressive behaviour.
Describe inherited personality:
Some people inherit types of behaviour, predisposing them to behave in a criminal way.
Evaluate in terms of adoption studies:
Crowe (1972) found adopted children with biological criminal parent had a 38% greater risk of having a criminal record, while only 6% with biological mother with no criminal record.
What did Mednick (1987) find with adoption studies?
15% of sons adopted into a criminal family became criminals and 20% who’s biological (but not adoptive) family became criminals.
How do non-violent crimes differ from violent crimes? (evaluation)
Biological explanations rely on aggressive behaviour and crimes but do not explain crimes of non violence. (shoplifting, tax evading)
How is inherited criminality deterministic?
If the behaviour is biological, it predetermines an individuals behaviour so they would not be able to control it, therefore, cannot be held accountable for their actions.
Evaluate brain differences:
60% of criminals have a reported brain injury, compared to 8% of general public (Harmon 2012) and so it is questions whether this is due to nature or nurture.
