Genetic And Neural Explanations Flashcards
What is the basis of genetic explanations?
Inheriting candidate genes that predispose them to commit crime
AO1: Johaness Lange (1930) Twin study
- investigated 13 MZ and 17 DZ twins where one had spent time in prison
- 10 of MZ both spent time, compared to only 2 DZ
AO3: limitations of Johaness Lange (1930)
- Poor control (whether MZ or DZ judged by appearance)
- Twin studies have small atypical sample
- so lack validity
AO1: Jari Tiihonen (2014) : Candidate genes
- genetic analysis of ~900 offenders
- Abnormality on 2 genes may be linked to secretion in and dopamine levels
- therefore linked to crime
- abnormal MAOA (poor impulse control) and abnormal CDH13 (substance abuse + attention deficit disorder) in the offender sample
Can it be explained using the diathesis model?
Yes - genes expressed with interactions of the environment. (Anger-provoking situations)
CAN BE USED TO EXPLAIN INTERACTIONISM
What is the basis of neurological explanation?
Range of biological processes and structures within the brain that lead to criminal behaviour, includes biochemistry and large neural structures. Differences could lead to antisocial personality disorder (APD).
Which is associated with reduced emotional response and lack of empathy.
Key neurotransmitters
- noradrenaline (fight or flight)
- serotonin (control impulsivity)
- dopamine (pleasure, linked to drug addiction)
What levels of neurotransmitters are likely to cause offending?
- High noradrenaline (aggression)
- low serotonin (unable to resist emotional surges)
- high dopamine (to satisfy biological craving = theft + drugs)
AO1: Adrian Raine : support for APD
- study APD in brain of offenders (brain - imaging)
- found to have low activity in prefrontal cortex
- also 11% reduction in volume of grey matter in prefrontal cortex compared to control
AO3: Mednick et al. (1984) : evidence for diathesis stress model
- defined criminal behaviour as having minimum 1 court conviction
- checked against Danish police records for adoptees
- non criminal biological + non criminal adoptive = 13.5% criminal child
- either one criminal = 20% criminal child
- both criminal = 24.5% criminal child
Both environmental and biological factors influence offending behaviour
AO3: limitations of Mednick
Some children may experience later adoption. So infancy with biological parents + some still in contact with biological.
Makes it difficult to assess environmental and biological impact.
AO3: Issues and Debates
- reductionist
- nature
- deterministic
