Adoption Studies

Question 1

Reasoning behind study

Answer 1

Adopted child shares same environment of adoptive parents but same genes as biological parents, if adoptee’s behaviour in regards to criminality is more similar to bio parents than adoptive parents it supports genetic explanation.

Question 2

Evidence

Answer 2

Mednick et al studied data of 14,000 adopted sons.
Sons were more likely to have criminal record if a birth parent also had one (20% concordance rate)
14.7% concordance rate if adoptive parent had one.

Question 3

Strengths

Answer 3

Research design is logical. Allows us to see the relative importance of ‘nature’ versus ‘ nurture’.
Findings of studies give some support to genetic explanations. Show adoptees more likely if bio parents have criminal record

Question 4

Weakness

Answer 4

Adopted children often placed in environments similar to those of their birth family.
Many children not adopted immediately after birth, remain w/ bio family for some time.