Biological explanation 1 - Inherited Criminality Flashcards
(16 cards)
What did Goldsmith and Gottesman suggest about inherited crime?
They suggested that there may be a genetic predisposition for a certain behaviour that makes the individual more susceptible to commit crime but this is triggered through environmental factors.
What is a twin study and what are the two types of twins?
Twin studies are research that is carried out on either monozygotic or dizygotic twins ( identical and non identical) it gives us information on how genes may play a role in behaviours compared to nurture.
What did Ishikawa and Raine find?
They did a meta-analysis and found a concordance rate for criminality 44% for MZ twins and 21% for DZ twins.
Have all twin studies been consistent? What was concluded overall?
No some studies have found no significant concordance between twins and criminality. It was concluded that hereditary factors are of no significant importance in the cause of common crime.
What did Farmington do and find?
He investigated the concentration of criminal behaviour in families by looking at 3 generations of relatives including parents, grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins. If one relative had been arrested there was a high chance that another relative had also been arrested. The most important relative was the father, if he had been arrested there was a high chance the son had been too.
What did Mednicks adoption study do and find?
Studied over 14000 adopted people and found that those whose biological parents were criminals and the highest rate of criminality. Was even higher if adoptive family had record as-well as biological which displays that environment does play a role.
What genes have been found to have an association with criminal behaviour?
- NOS-1 gene
- 5-HTTLPR
What is the most significant gene that is associated with criminal behaviour and what does it do?
The MAOA gene which helps recycle the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Link between serotonin and criminality?
It has been argued that low levels of serotonin may predispose individuals to impulsive and aggressive behaviours.
What did Brunner et al do?
He studied a dutch family who were renowned for being aggressive, he found their behaviour was linked to a mutation the MAOA gene meaning they had low levels of serotonin. This could account for their aggressive behaviour.
What is the diathesis stress model?
The idea that genes and environment act together to display a particular behaviour.
Evaluation - Methodology
The heratbility studies are non-experimental meaning it’s difficult to draw direct cause and effect. However, adoption studies do help eliminate the theory of nurture.
Evaluation - Gender bias, methodology.
These theories could have a gender bias, a lot of the research is focused on men and applied to women. There has been little attempt to investigate women and generalisation may not be appropriate. This could be beta bias.
Evaluation - Explaining non violent crimes
Most of the research is done surrounding violent crimes involving psychopathy which has been seen to have a genetic basis. However, criminal behaviour involves es a range of other things that aren’t violent e.g., fraud. It is suggested that crime Is not a natural category therefore it’s difficult to argue that the behaviour is simply due to one factor.
Evaluation - Problems with determinist explanations
This does make the theory predictable and testable however, it ignores free will and over simplifies complex behaviour. Suggests that it’s completely pre determined which is not shown throughout all research. E.g., James Fallon
Evaluation - Brain differences, Cause or Effect?
It is difficult to argue whether the genes are the direct cause of the behaviour or if they are an effect of something else e.g., a brain injury. Higher percentages of brain injuries were reported in US prisons than the US popualtion alone.
