F5. Biological Explanations: Genetic And Neural

Question 1

Genetic Explanations Focus

Answer 1

Focus on heritability and role of candidate genes in the development of criminal behaviour.

Question 2

Concordance Rates

Answer 2

MZ Twins - 33%
DZ Twins - 12%

Suggests moderate genetic or heritable basis of criminal behaviour. This is because MZ Twins share 100% of their DNA, whilst DZ share 50%.

However, MZ concordance rates are not 100%, which suggests an environment and genetic interaction explanation. Diathesis-stress model can be used.

Question 3

Candidate Genes Functions and Examples

Answer 3

Each represent slight genetic variations which increase risk of developing criminal behaviour. Abnormalities in MAOA and CDH-13 genes, which both code for neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. They are also implicated in the development of ADHD, and the likelihood of becoming a criminal by 13-fold. Diathesis-stress model.

Question 4

Neural Explanations

Answer 4

• mainly focus on individuals with APD (very common among criminals)
• criminal’s pre-frontal cortex (logical thinking and decision making) 11% less active; therefore,
  criminals have difficult regulating emotions, make irrational decisions.
• criminals have ‘neural switch’ (empathy capacity off), explain criminal lack of empathy for victims

Question 5

• Eval: Twin Studies

Answer 5

Twin studies assume that the only difference between twins is the amount of genetic information they share (e.g. MZ twins more likely to share environment than DZ twins, explain higher concordance rates). Suggests causal conclusions about genetic basis for criminality are incorrect.
Interactionist approach better.

Question 6

+ Eval: Diathesis-stress model

Answer 6

Court convictions of 14,427 adoptees with adoptive and biological parents. Researchers concluded that siblings adopted separately into different homes tended to be concordant for convictions, especially if biological father has criminal history. Supports diathesis stress model (genetic predisposition and environmental stressor).

Question 7

• Eval: Biological Reductionism

Answer 7

Focus on the role of genetics and neural activities as an explanation of criminal behaviour is reductionist. There are other risk factors apart from the fact that criminality ‘runs in families [genetically].’ An example being regular exposure to pro-criminal attitudes (environment - Differential Association Theory), a lack of opportunity, economic deprivation, etc. DON’T stereotype children from ‘criminal families’ - Self Fulfilling Prophecy.