Biological explanations: genetic and neural

• What are the biological explanations of offending behaviour mentioned in the study material?

  Genetics and neural explanations
• What does Lombroso's discredited explanation suggest about criminality?

  That criminality may be an inherited characteristic
• How are genetic and neural explanations for criminality related?

  Some genetic abnormalities may cause structural and functional differences in the brain
• Can neural abnormalities be caused by factors other than genetics?

  Yes, neural abnormalities may also be caused by non-genetic factors
• What do genes consist of?

  DNA strands
• What do DNA strands produce?

  'Instructions' for physical features of an organism
• How do genes impact psychological features?

  They influence traits such as intelligence and mental disorders
• How are genes transmitted?

  From parents to offspring
• What is a neural explanation?

  An explanation of behaviour in terms of brain and nervous system functions
• Which brain structure is mentioned in relation to neural explanations?

  The prefrontal cortex
• Which neurotransmitters are mentioned in the study material?

  Serotonin and dopamine
• What are the key components of genetic explanations for offending behaviour?

  • Genes consist of DNA strands
  • DNA produces instructions for physical features
  • Genes impact psychological features
  • Genes are inherited from parents
• What are the key components of neural explanations for offending behaviour?

  • Behaviour explained by brain and nervous system functions
  • Involves activity of brain structures like the prefrontal cortex
  • Involves neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine
• What is the diathesis-stress model in relation to offending behaviour?

  It explains how genetic predispositions and environmental stressors interact to influence behaviour
• What type of studies are used to explain genetic factors in offending behaviour?

  Twin and adoption studies
• What is meant by candidate genes?

  Genes that are thought to be associated with a particular trait or behaviour
• What is the significance of the prefrontal cortex in neural explanations?

  It is involved in functions related to behaviour and decision-making
• What are mirror neurons and their relevance in neural explanations?

  They are neurons that fire both when an individual acts and when they observe the same action performed by another
• What issues are associated with twin evidence in genetic studies?

  There may be environmental factors that influence behaviour in twins
• What support exists for the diathesis-stress model?

  Research shows that both genetic predispositions and environmental stressors contribute to behaviour
• How does the nature vs. nurture debate relate to offending behaviour?

  It examines the influence of genetic and environmental factors on behaviour
• What is the role of intervening variables in the study of offending behaviour?

  They can influence the relationship between genetic predispositions and behaviour
• What does determinism imply in the context of biological explanations for offending behaviour?

  It suggests that behaviour is predetermined by genetic and neural factors
• What are the three questions at the end of the study material meant to check understanding of?

  Genetic explanations, neural explanations, and diathesis-stress model