Genetic Explanations

Question 1

How does the Genetic Explanation of Offending argue offenders are predisposed to crime?

Answer 1

As a result of genetic variants, or a combination of variants

Question 2

Why has the Genetic Explanation of Offending been criticised?

Answer 2

For being both biologically reductionistic and biologically deterministic

Question 3

What are 2 candidate genes that the Genetic Explanation have identified?

Answer 3

• MA0A
• CDH13

Question 4

How has the MA0A or ‘Warrior Gene’ variant been linked to offending?

Answer 4

By predisposing those who possess it to aggression and violent behaviour as a result of unregulated amounts of serotonin

Question 5

How has the CDH13 variant been linked to offending?

Answer 5

It is associated with substance abuse, which often drives people to commit crime

Question 6

In which study were the candidate genes MA0A and CDH13 identified?

Answer 6

Tihohen’s genetic analysis of 800 Finnish offenders

Question 7

How many times more likely did Tihohen conclude an individual was to have a history of violent behaviour if they possessed both candidate genes?

Answer 7

13x

Question 8

Describe Christiansen’s Danish Twin Study

Answer 8

• He studied the offending concordance rates of 3500+ Danish twins
• In each instance, at least one twin had committed a crime
• He found a 35% concordance rate between MZ twins, compared to a 13 concordance rate between DZ twins
• This suggests that there is a genetic component involved in offending behaviour

Question 9

Describe Mednick’s Danish Adoptee Study

Answer 9

• Compared the offending rates of 1300 Danish adoptees if their biological parents had convictions, compared to if their biological parents didn’t
• He found a rate of 20% if their biological parents had convictions, compared to 13.5% if they didn’t

Question 10

Why might your genotype alone not mean you are more likely to offend?

Answer 10

Because your genotype differs from your phenotype, which refers to how a gene is expressed. This means you could possess one of the candidate genes, but it never express itself in a way that means you exhibit violent behaviour

Question 11

Can cause-and-effect be established from genetic makeup?

Answer 11

No

Question 12

Do Genetic Explanations have potential predictive power?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What is a potential application of the Genetic Explanation of Offending?

Answer 13

Potential predictive power, as those who are predisposed to offend can be identified prior to offending, potentially reducing the likelihood of them doing