genetics AO3

• A strength is that it has real world application. Findings from genetic research on anti-social and violent behaviour has uses in offender treatment and rehabilitation. Morley and Hall suggest the development of interventions for those thought to be at risk of developing criminally violent behaviour to reduce future aggression. However, there are considerable ethical concerns of labelling someone as a ‘threat’ to society on the basis of their genetic inheritance alone.
• A limitation is that the theory can potentially be harmful to society and the justice system. The genetic influence theory provides little room for free will, meaning a violent offender could argue they are not morally responsible due to having a genetic predisposition to aggression. In 2009, an Italian judge reduced the prison sentence of a person convicted of murder because he carried this so called ‘criminal gene’. This means offenders can claim they do not have control over their own actions
• Theory may be too determinist. Rather than genetics alone being responsible for the development of aggressive behaviour, it is the interaction between genetics and the environment that determines the likelihood of aggressive behaviour. The diathesis poses that there is a genetic vulnerability for aggression, but it is that there is an environmental trigger that causes aggression. Caspi et al found that those with low levels of MAOA would exhibit anti social behaviour but only if maltreated as children, therefore meaning the genetic influence is not sufficient on its’ own.