gentic explanations

• What is the concern regarding genetic explanations for aggression?

  They suggest some people are born criminals
• What do genetic explanations for aggression imply?

  Aggression is inherited
• What do psychologists often study to examine aggression levels?

  Twin studies
• What type of twins share all their genes?

  Monozygotic twins
• What did Coccaro’s research on Vietnamese twins find?

  Genetic difference accounted for 47% of assault difference
• What do family studies measure in aggression research?

  Concordance rate in aggression
• How do identical twins differ from non-identical twins in studies?

  Identical twins may have more similar experiences
• What is the advantage of adoption studies in aggression research?

  They isolate genetic factors from environment
• What did Mednick and Hutchings find in their adoption study?

  Criminality is linked to genetics
• What percentage of adoptees with a biological criminal father had a criminal record?

  21.4%
• What biological processes do genes code for in aggression?

  Limbic system development and serotonin production
• Is there a single gene identified that always results in aggression?

  No, there is no single gene
• What is the nickname given to the MAOA-L gene?

  The warrior gene
• What is the MAOA gene associated with?

  Production of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin
• What is the diathesis-stress model of aggressive behavior?

  • Genetic vulnerability (e.g., MAOA-L)
  • Environmental stressors (e.g., early child abuse)
  • Interaction leads to aggressive behavior
• What did Brunner's case study find about aggressive males?

  They all had the low activity MAOA gene
• What did Stuart's research reveal about MAOA and aggression?

  MAOA-L was found in aggressive men
• What is contradictory about the MAOA-L gene's effect on aggression?

  It results in high serotonin but is linked to aggression
• What major issue arises from the prevalence of the MAOA gene in men?

  Most men with the gene are not aggressive
• What must be considered alongside biological processes in aggression?

  Social and psychological factors