Genetic and Neural explanations - AO3 Flashcards

1
Q

What is a limitation for genetic explanations?

A
  • P: Limitation of twin studies = assuming equal environments
  • E:Often assumed that environmental factors are the same for MZ and DZ twins
  • E: Because MZ twins look identical, people tend to treat them more similarly which affects their behaviour
  • L: Higher concordance rates for MZs may be because they are treated more similarlly than DZs suggesting coonclusions lack validity
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2
Q

What is a strength of genetic explanations?

A
  • P: Strength = support for diathesis stress model of offending
  • E: Mednick et al. (1984): studied 13,00 Danish adoptees having at least one court conviction
  • E: Conviction rates 13.5% (biological or adoptive parents no conviction), 20% (one biological parent) 24.5% (both adoptive and biological parents
  • L: Both genetic inheritance and environmental influence criminality, supporting the diathesis stress model of crime
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3
Q

What is a strength of neural explanations?

A
  • P: Strength = support for the link between crime and the frontal lobe
  • E: Kandel and Freed (1989): researched people with frontal lobe damage, including pre-frontal cortex
  • E: They found evidence of impulsive behaviour, emotional instability and inability to learn from mistakes
  • L: Supports idea that structural abnormalities in the brain are a causal factor in offending behaviour
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4
Q

What is a limitation of neural explanations?

A
  • P: Limitation = link between neural difference and antisocial personality disorder is complex
  • E: Farrington et al. (1981) studied adults males with high antisocial personality disorder scores. Raised by a convicted parent and physically neglected
  • E: Early experiences may have caused APD and associated neural differences e.g reduced activity in the frontal lobe due to trauma
  • L: This suggests that the relationship between neural differences, APD and offending is complex and there may be intervening variables
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