Genetic Explanation For Agression

Question 1

What does the genetic explanation suggest about aggression?

Answer 1

• Inherited genes cause aggressive behaviours to occur

- It is a polygenic theory even though there is one gene that stands out

Question 2

How do genetics play a role in aggression?

Answer 2

• Genetics determine how much testosterone is produced and how quickly it circulates around the body. Genes also determine how sensitive the testosterone receptors are.
• They can also determine the structure of the brain which can cause the pathway between the limbic system and the frontal cortex to be weak.
• Genetics also determine how fast biochemicals that play a role in aggression are metabolised.
• People who have inherited genes that are associated with aggression are more likely to be aggressive as they have a predisposition to biomedical or physiological differences from the major population.

Question 3

What gene has been found to cause aggression and explain its role in aggression?

Answer 3

• The gene Monoamine oxidase (MAOA)
• Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down important neurotransmitters in the brain which include dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. The enzyme is controlled by the MAOA gene
• There are variations found in humans and the variations result in different levels of enzymatic activity
• individuals with MAOA-L have low enzymatic activity so less enzymes are produced
• Individuals with MAOA-H have high enzymatic activity so more enzymes are produced
• There is a correlation between aggression being displayed and individuals who have the MAOA-L gene
• a third of males in western populations have the gene and therefore have high levels of neurotransmitters due to the lack of enzymes.

Question 4

AO3 for genetic explanation

Answer 4

• Reductionist: -However they do not automatically display aggressive behaviour, it seems to only occur if they experienced abuse during child hood. People who have the gene and that social factor has occurred they are more likely to commit violent crimes.
• Silke 41%

-Deterministic: Stephen Mobley

-Cocarro: MZ violent criminal behaviour concordance rate - 50%
DZ violent criminal behaviour concordance rate - 19%

Question 5

Outline Stephen Mobley and how the genetic explanation being deterministic is a weakness

Answer 5

• Stephen Mobley committed a murder in 1991
• He made the argument and pleaded that he wasn’t guilty in court by saying that the was a born killer due to inheriting genes that caused him to be aggressive in court to avoid his sentence
• His argument was based on the fact other members of his family were aggressive and he had inherited the aggressive behaviour.
• Even though he was executed, using genes as an explanation for aggressive behaviours ignores the element of free will and is very deterministic which gives people excuse to act aggressive which can have negative consequences in society.