XYY

Question 1

Why is supporting evidence a strength

Answer 1

Jacob’s et al and Price and Whatmore establish a link in the Y chromosome behaviour and can be the case of John Wayne Gacy

Question 2

Why is modern research a strength

Answer 2

Adler et al in 2007 establish clear correlation between genetics and crime by providing evidence to support claim that its genetic make up that makes criminal behaviour

Question 3

Why is it scientifically proven a strength

Answer 3

Tho we do no know cause we can clearly identify the cause by scientific test of Karyotyping

Question 4

Why is it only being used to explain small percentage of crime a weakness

Answer 4

Jacob’s et al research only found 12 out of 198 in her research with syndrome but provided not expalaintion for the rest that don’t have it

Question 5

Why is theory only applied to males a weakness

Answer 5

Only males can have the chromosomes of XYY and so cannot explain crime in females or normal biooogcicsl men with just XY chromosomes

Question 6

Why does theory ignoring environmental factors a weakness

Answer 6

Ignores a persons upbringing and if a person suffers from syndrome can not say that what caused behaviour due to other environmental factors

Question 7

what are chromosomes??

Answer 7

• are threadlike strands that are composed of DNA
• 50%= mother and 50% = father
• sex chromosomes determine gender where a female = XX and a male = XY

Question 8

What is the theory??

Answer 8

Genetic

Question 9

Explain the XYY theory??

Answer 9

• XYY is a chromosomal disorder where the individual is born with an extra Y chromosome and can occur in 1/1000 male births
• the cause of the XYY syndrome is not clear it happens as a random event during the formation of sperm cells as an error in chromosome separation can result in sperm cells having an extra Y chromosome
• if this sperm cell contributes to the genetic makeup of a child the child will have an extra y chromosome in each of their body cells
• theory suggests that those who suffer from the syndrome are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour and causes strong compulsions within then to commit violent crimes
• sometimes called ‘super-males’

Question 10

What is the supporting research for XYY syndrome?

Answer 10

• Jacobs (1965) examined 198 Scottish prisoners for chromosomal abnormalities, measured by a blood test called Karyotyping. 12 members of the group displayed the XYY syndrome which consisted of 3.5% of the prion population
• this was more than the 1% of those who had the syndrome in the general population

Question 11

what is a case study of this theory?

Answer 11

serial killer John Wayne Gacy had XYY syndrome. sexually assaulted, tortured, killed 33 teenage and young men.

Question 12

how does this explain criminal behaviour??

Answer 12

• jacobs concluded that men with XYY syndrome were more aggressive than normal XY men and therefore are more likely to commit crime
  -due to the extra y chromosome causing an increase of levels of testosterone which lead to aggression
• those with syndrome more likely to be hyperactive, an explosive temper and antisocial