biological explainations of offending : genetics

Question 1

what is the biological explanation for offending?

Answer 1

a potential criminal inherit a gene
- predisposed criminal behaviour

Question 2

who did research into twin studies?

Answer 2

christiansen

Question 3

what was christiansens research into biological explanation of offending?

Answer 3

• 3500 twins in denmark
• MZ male = 35%
• DZ male = 13%
• lower for females
• indicate that traits are inherited

Question 4

what did crowe find about offending in adopted children?

Answer 4

• adopted children whose biological mother had a criminal record
• 50% chance of having a criminal record by the age of 18
• mothers with non criminal record
• 5% risk

Question 5

who did research into candidate genes?

Answer 5

tihonen

Question 6

what was tihonen’s procedure and findings?

Answer 6

• genetic analysis of 800 finish offenders
• found MAOA and CDH13 associated with violent crime
• 5% to 10% of crime was due to these genes

Question 7

what is the MAOA gene?

Answer 7

• regulates serotonin in the brain
• linked to ADHD and substance abuse

Question 8

what is CDH13 linked to?

Answer 8

• aggressive behaviour
• substance abuse
• ADHD

Question 9

what is the diathesis stress model of offending?

Answer 9

offending behaviour may come from a combination of genetics and environment

Question 10

limitation of genetics (twins)

Answer 10

assume they have equal environmental factors
- may apply to MZ more and DZ less

Question 11

strength of genetics (support DSM)

Answer 11

sarnoff mednick - studied 13000 danish adoptees
- neither bio or adopted mom = 13.5%
- one had criminal record = 20%
- both had criminal record = 24.5%
- genetics plays some role