GENETIC EXPLANATIONS A01

Question 1

Genetic A01

Answer 1

Assumptions:
-Criminal tendencies can be inherited
-Investigations of the persons generic material, brain or body will reveal criminal tendencies
-Stressors in environment can trigger genetics (diathesis stress model) but pre disposed to crime

Question 2

Twin studies A01

Answer 2

-Christansen (1977)
-Over 3500 twin pairs in Denmark born 1880-1910 with offender behaviour checked against police records
male mz= 35% male dz=13%
female mz=21% female dz=8%

Question 3

Adoption Study A01

Answer 3

-Crowe (1972)
-biological criminal mother 50% chance of having a criminal record by 18
-control group: without bio criminal mother have 5% chance

Question 4

Candidate genes A01

Answer 4

MAOA:
- regulates dopamine and serotonin (role in impulsive aggression)
- low variants (MOA-L) low activity of this enzyme
- mutation of X chromosome so affects men
-Brunner et al 28 dutch criminal men = low levels of MAO-A and MAOA-L variant
CDH13:
-substance abuse and ADHD
-5-10% all severe violent crime attributable to MAOA AND CDH13