Lesson 4 - Genetic and Neural Explanations

Question 1

What does the genetic explanation say about crime?

Answer 1

The genetic explanation for crime suggests that offenders inherit a gene, or combination of genes, which predisposes those individuals to commit crime.

Question 2

Who researched the genetic explanation for crime?

Answer 2

Lange (1930)

Question 3

Describe Lange’s research study:

Answer 3

Lange investigated 13 monozygotic (identical) twins and 17 dizygotic twins (non-identical) twins. At least one of the twins in each pair had spent time in prison. Lange discovered that 10/13 of the monozygotic twin pairs had both spent time in prison as only 2/17 of the dizygotic twin pairs had both spent time in prison which supports the genetic explanation for crime as it suggests that criminal behaviour is influenced by the inheritance of a gene(s) (monozygotic twins have the same genes).

Question 4

What does the term polygenic mean in terms of offending?

Answer 4

Polygenic means that no single gene is responsible for offending.

Question 5

What are candidate genes in terms of offending?

Answer 5

Candidate genes are genes which may be responsible for a behaviour.
In terms of offending, candidate genes are the many genes that might be responsible for causing CRIMINAL behaviour.

Question 6

Describe the research study by Tilhonen (2014)?

Answer 6

Tilhonen conducted a genetic analysis of over 900 Finnish offenders which revealed abnormalities of 2 genes which could potentially be linked to violent crime. Individuals with this high-risk combination of genes were found to be 13 times more likely to have aa history of violent behaviour compared to a control group.

Question 7

What two genes did Tilhonen discover that had abnormalities on in Finnish offenders?

Answer 7

MAOA gene

CDH13 gene

Question 8

What is the MAOA gene?

Answer 8

The MAOA gene controls dopamine and serotonin and has been linked to aggressive behaviour.

Question 9

What is the CDH13 gene?

Answer 9

The CDH13 gene has been linked to substance abuse and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Question 10

What is the Diathesis Stress Model?

Answer 10

The Diathesis Stress Model is a model which holds that genetics DO influence criminal behaviour, but this criminal behaviour is moderated by the effects of the environment. For example, a tendency to perform criminal behaviour may come through a combination of both genetic predisposition AND biological and psychological triggers such being raised in a dysfunctional family.

Question 11

What does the neural explanation say about crime?

Answer 11

Neural explanations focus on areas of the brain and nervous system which may cause offending behaviour.

Question 12

What is Anti-social Personality Disorder and how does it relate to the neural explanation for offending?

Answer 12

APD is associated with reduced emotional responses and a lack of empathy which characterises many convicted criminals.

Question 13

What does the pre-frontal cortex do?

Answer 13

This is a brain area which regulates emotional behaviour

Question 14

What is grey matter?

Answer 14

The main component of the nervous system which includes cell bodies.

Question 15

What did brain-imaging studies reveal about people with APD?

Answer 15

People with APD had reduced activity in the pre-frontal cortex which is responsible for regulating emotional behaviour.

Question 16

Describe the research study by Raine (2000):

Answer 16

Raine et al. (2000) found an 11% reduction in the volume of grey matter in the prefrontal cortex of people with APD compare to the control group.

Question 17

What are mirror neurons?

Answer 17

Brain cells which allow people to feel empathy

Question 18

Can criminals with APD experience empathy?

Answer 18

Criminals with APD CAN experience empathy but they do so much more sporadically (occasionally and irregularly) compared to non-criminals.

Question 19

Describe the research study by Keysers (2011):

Answer 19

Keysers found that a criminals empathy reaction, controlled by mirror neurons, was activated when they were asked to empathise. This supports the view that criminals with APD are not without empathy but instead, may have a sort of neural switch that must be switched on in order for the to experience it - this is different to non-criminals where the empathy switch is permanently switched on.

Question 20

What are 5 weaknesses of genetic and neural explanations of offending?

Answer 20

• Concordance rates in Monozygotic twins is not high which leaves plenty of room for non-genetic environmental factors. Therefore, perhaps concordance rates are due to shared learning experiences rather than genetics in Lange’s study.
• Brain scanning studies (Raine) show brain abnormalities of criminals but fail to conclude whether these abnormalities are genetic or signs of early abuse.
• The term ‘offending behaviour; is too vague and needs to be operationalised more. Some crimes may be more biological than others for example, aggressive behaviour such as murder, and may be explained better by the genetic and neural explanations than other specific forms of crime for example embezzlement or fraud.
• The genetic and neural explanation is an example of biological reductionism. Criminality is very complex, and the genetic and neural explanations which reduce offending behaviour can be seen as both inappropriate and overly simplistic. As monozygotic twin studies never show 100% concordance rates, genetics cannot be the only explanation for criminal behaviour.
• The genetic and neural explanation is an example of biological determinism. This interferes with out legal system. For example, if someone has committed a crime, and has a criminal gene, can they really have personal or moral responsibility for their crime. In this case, it would be unethical to punish someone for their crime if they do not have free will.