Evaluate

• Genetics


  A biological explanation of criminal behaviour
• Genetics as an explanation of criminal behaviour

  • Studies have shown a genetic component to criminality
  • 52% concordance rate for MZ twins compared to 21% for DZ twins
  • Concordance rate for criminality of 44% for MZ twins compared to 21.6% for DZ twins
• Genetics alone does not fully explain criminal behaviour as it does not consider other factors that contribute to criminality
• Epigenetics

  A more coherent biological explanation of criminal behaviour that considers both nature and nurture
• Epigenetics as an explanation of criminal behaviour


  • Genetic predisposition to criminal behaviour needs an environmental component to be triggered
  • Genes are 'switched' on or off by epigenomes which are affected by environmental factors
  • Maltreatment or neglect during childhood as a possible environmental trigger
• Amygdala

  A biological explanation of criminal behaviour
• Role of the amygdala in criminal behaviour


  • Implicated in emotional behaviour and assessing/responding to environmental threats
  • Shrunken amygdala on one side of the brain contributing to aggressive behaviour
  • Lower amygdala volumes correlated with higher levels of aggression over 20 years
• The role of the amygdala is reductionist as it only explains the neuroanatomical position of how criminal behaviour occurs, not why an individual may become involved in criminal behaviour
• Accepting biological explanations for criminal behaviour suggests criminals cannot change or be rehabilitated, undermining the aims of the criminal justice system
• A more likely explanation of criminal behaviour is epigenetics, as it suggests genetics provide the predisposition but environment determines whether criminal behaviour is triggered