genetic theories

Question 1

strengths of twin studies:
(2)

Answer 1

MZ are genetically identical so logical to examine whether their behaviours are identical

Christiansen supports idea criminality does have a genetic component

Question 2

weaknesses of twin studies:
(2)

Answer 2

small sample so not representative

impossible to isolate and measure the effect of genes separately from environmental factors

Question 3

strengths of adoption studies:
(2)

Answer 3

adopted children have different environment to biological parents so easy to separate environmental and biological factors

overcomes problem of being unable to separate genes from environment (like faced in twin studies)

Question 3

weaknesses of adoption studies:
(2)

Answer 3

adopted children often placed in similar environments to birth family (class and ethnicity etc) so similar environment may cause similar behaviour

age of adoption may mean the children have already been influenced by either their natural parents or foster environment

Question 4

strengths of Jacob’s XYY:
(3)

Answer 4

Jacob et al found a significant number of men in prison had XYY

Price and Whatmore found some links between XYY and property crime

Alder et al indicated it is possible that aggressive and violent behaviour is at least partly determined by genetic factors

Question 5

weaknesses of Jacob’s XYY:
(3)

Answer 5

XYY fit stereotype of ‘typical offenders’ so get labelled, more likely sent to prison so overrepresented

XYY overrepresented as they have low intelligence so more likely to get caught

XYY is rare (1 in 1000 men) so can’t explain much crime