Genetic Explanations - Criminal Genes

Question 1

Genes associated with crime and violence

Answer 1

MAOA - dopamine and serotonin production
cadherin 13 (CDH13) - neural connectivity

Question 2

Low activity of MAOA

Answer 2

“warrior gene” - inefficient metabolism of these important neurotransmitters (e.g. dopamine system, serotonin system, epinephrine system)

Question 3

MAOA - dopamine system

Answer 3

involved in mood, motivation and reward, arousal, and other behaviors

Question 4

MAOA - serotonin system

Answer 4

involved in impulse control, affects regulation, sleep, and appetite

Question 5

MAOA - Epinephrine system

Answer 5

facilitates fight-or-flight reactions and autonomic nervous system activity

Question 6

Tilhonen - what percentage of people with CDH13 or MAOA can be attributed to crime?

Answer 6

5-10%
People with these genes are 13 times more likely to commit violent crime

This means that 90-95% are unaccounted for by genes

Question 7

Twin Studies - Joseph (2001)

Question 8

Depression and Crime

Answer 8

If someone has a parent or sibling with major depression, that person has a 2 or 3 times greater risk of developing depression with the average person

Question 9

Ted Bundy