XYY syndrome

Question 1

what is XYY syndrome?

Answer 1

it is the development of a genetic mutation of a second Y gene in men

Question 2

how rare is it?

Answer 2

it occurs in 1 of 1000 male births

Question 3

what did michael court brown (1968) conclude? and what is the social implications of this?

Answer 3

after a 2 year study of 314 patents with XYY, he concluded that they were ‘best hospitalised due to an increased likelihood of aggressive behavior’.

The implications of this being a stigmatisation of people with XYY syndrome even if they don’t portray aggressive behaviour.

Question 4

what are the physical characteristics of people with XYY?

Answer 4

Acne, tall

Question 5

what are the behavioural characteristics of XYY syndrome?

Answer 5

temper tantrums, impulsivity, defiant behaviours, aggressive behaviours.

Question 6

why is it hard to demonstrate XYY causes criminal behaviour?

Answer 6

no cause and effect between the disorder and the behaviour.

Question 7

Evidence to deny the theory of XYY?

Answer 7

Witkin - only found 12 cases of XYY in 4,000 danish prisoners and none of them were violent criminals, discrediting the theory that XYY people are more aggressive and will become criminals.