genetic factors in aggression Flashcards
(21 cards)
what are genetic factors?
Genes influence each individual’s behavioral and psychological characteristics,
what is an MAOA gene and how can it affect aggression?
responsible for activity of enzyme in the brain, lower the variant the higher the aggressive behaviour
what 4 things must we remember in genetic factors in aggression?
twin studies
adoption studies
MAOA gene
gene environment interaction
what do twin studies show?
heritability account for 50% of variance in aggressive behaviour
who conducted research into twin studies?
Coccaro et al
what did Coccaro et al study?
male MZ and DZ twins
what did Coccaro et al expect?
greater similarity in aggressive behaviour in MZ twins
the results for aggression defined as direct assault were…
50% MZ and 19% DZ
the results for aggression defined as verbal assault were…
28% MZ and 7% DZ
who conducted research for adoption studies?
rhee and waldman
what did rhee and waldman do?
metanalysis of adoption studies showing that genetic factors account for 41% of variance in agg
what is the MAOA gene?
Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is an enzyme that breaks down important neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin
what does dysfunction lead to?
abnormal operation of MAOA gene, increased level of serotonin
who studied MAOA gene?
Brunner et al
what did Brunner et al do?
studied the link between MAOA- L gene activty in 28 males members of large Dutch family who were repeatedly involved in violent acts
what did Brunner et al find?
they had abnormally low levels of the MAO-A enzyme and MAO-L gene variant
what is the gene environment interaction?
genes and environment having an affect on aggressive behaviour , genes do not function in isolation
what does the MAOA gene interact with?
MAOA gene interacts with early tramuatic life expereinces
who studied gene environment interaction?
frazzetto et al
what did frazzeto et al find?
an assosiation between higher levels of anti-social aggression and MAOA-L gene in adult males , only if experienced signficiant trauma like abuse
what is the gene environment interaction an example of?
diathesis-stress model
