Biological Explanations for Crime

Question 1

Define psychopathy

Answer 1

A personality disorder involving severe disruption in moral behaviour accompanied by profound emotional deficits. Emotion is argued to be a critical component of moral behaviour.

Question 2

Describe Glenn’s research on psychopathic participants

Answer 2

Conducted fMRI scans with 17 psychopathic participants, and found that all pps with higher psychopathy scores showed reduced activity in the amygdala during emotional moral decision-making.

Question 3

How can Raine’s findings be used to explain the role of the amygdala in crime?

Answer 3

Found hemispheric asymmetry in amygdala, reduced left and greater right.
Produces a lack of fear, empathy, remorse, and guilt - therefore a lack of fear of consequences.

Question 4

What other Raine findings can be used to explain criminal behaviour?

Answer 4

Lower pre-frontal cortex activity, responsible for decision-making and planning

Question 5

What does inherited criminality suggest?

Answer 5

Certain genetic combinations predispose individuals to criminal behaviour

Question 6

What did Osborn and West’s family research suggest?

Answer 6

Compared sons of criminal and non-criminal fathers. Found that 13% of sons with non-criminal fathers had criminal convictions compared to 40% of sons with criminal fathers

Question 7

Describe Raine’s (1993) twin study findings

Answer 7

Reviewed the literature comparing delinquent behaviour of twins. Average concordance for MZ was 52% compared to 21% DZ

Question 8

Describe Mednick et al.’s adoption study findings

Answer 8

Carried out a study with 14,000 adoptees
Found that:
13.5% of sons with NO parents with a criminal record had a criminal record.
20% of sons with BIOLOGICAL parents who had a criminal record had a criminal record
14.7% of sons with ADOPTED parents who had a criminal record also had a criminal record.

Question 9

Describe what the MAOA gene does

Answer 9

Encodes the monoamine oxidase A enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters

Question 10

What is the ‘warrior gene’ a nickname for?

Answer 10

MAOA-L gene

Question 11

How does MAOA-L link to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 11

Low levels of monoamine oxidase A leads to a build-up of neurotransmitters like dopamine, seretonin, etc. which results in aggressive behaviour

Question 12

Describe Brunner et al.’s findings regarding the MAOA gene

Answer 12

Analysed the DNA of 28 male members of a Dutch family with a history of impulsive and violent criminal behaviour. They all shared the MAOA mutation gene, leading to low levels of MAOA.

Question 13

Caspi et al findings with MAOA gene and diathesis-stress model

Answer 13

Used data of 1000 people born in the 70s. Anti-social behaviour assessed at age 26 and it was found that:

12% of men who had the MAOA gene mutation experienced adverse childhood experiences and were responsible for 44% of violent convictions