[GENETIC] Biological - Warrior Gene

Question 1

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain 3 strengths

Answer 1

+ Explains criminality in both men and women

+ It’s scientific - can identify if someone has a faulty gene (observable)

+ There is research evidence (Caspi and Brunner)

Question 2

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain 3 weaknesses

Answer 2

• Not everyone with a faulty MAOA gene is aggressive or violent
• Cant ignore the role of the environment (Caspi)
• Small numbers of people within the population have this gene in comparison to those offences out there

Question 3

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain the Warrior Gene theory

Answer 3

Looks into an association between gene and aggressive behaviour

Question 4

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain having too much and too little of the MAOA gene

Answer 4

Too much = Little serotonin

Too little = Too much serotonin

Question 5

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain Brunner’s research and findings

Answer 5

Study was done on Dutch family - defect in male family members (They were all very violent)

Blood samples were taken to isolate DNA
Mutation on the X chromosome and responsible for the production of the MAOA gene

Brunner found all members with this gene were aggressive when angry, fearful or frustrated

Question 6

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain the MAOA gene

Answer 6

A faulty gene

produces an enzyme that control neurochemicals in the brain

One problem: The faulty gene can cause an over-production of the enzyme MAOA gene which breaks serotonin down too quickly

Question 7

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain what can happen when serotonin is broken down too quickly and are low

Answer 7

makes communications between specific brain regions of the limbic system and frontal lobes weaker

can be more difficult for prefrontal cortex to control emotional responses

Question 8

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Link to criminality

Answer 8

Overproduction of MAOA Gene =
Serotonin moderates impulsivity therefore chemical imbalances can cause anti-social behaviour and violence offending

Sluggish MAOA Gene =
Slows down the metabolism and serotonin and other neurotransmitters - leading to higher levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine which can lead to aggressive behaviour

Question 9

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain what happens if the MAOA gene is sluggish

Answer 9

Slows down the metabolism and serotonin and other neurotransmitters - leading to higher levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine which can lead to aggressive behaviour

Question 10

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain high levels of serotonin

Answer 10

Can cause aggression and cause people to feel less empathy for other and more willing to harm others
Brain cant cope with too much serotonin

Question 11

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain caspi’s research and findings

Answer 11

Large group of individuals
Followed from ages 3-20
Looked for maltreatment between 3 and 11 yrs old
Looked at their genes
Looked at criminal record

Findings:
Maltreatment = significant predictor of aggression. low activity of MAOA

Maltreatment + low activity of MAOA = significant aggression
(Strongest predictor of behaviour - combination of factors)

Question 12

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Who is the MAOA gene inherited from?

Answer 12

The mother - X chromosome

Question 13

[BRUNNER SYNDROME - WARRIOR GENE]

Explain why MAOA gene has more impact on men

Answer 13

Men have higher levels of testosterone

Question 14

What are all the Genetic Theories?

Answer 14

XYY ‘Super male’ - Jacob Et At.
Family Studies
Twin Studies
Adoption Studies
Warrior Gene - Brunner