A01

• genetic explanations

  • Genetic explanations focus on the heritability and role of candidate genes in development of criminal behaviour
• genetic explanations study

  • Tiihonen et als study of 900 finish offenders revealed 2 abnormalities that may be associated with violent crime
  • the MAOA (L) gene- causing low levels of MAOA (controlling dop and serotonin) (LOW LEVELS OF SEROTONIN ASSOCIATED WITH AGGRESSION AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR)
  • CDH13(linked to substance abuse and attention deficit disorder)
  • individuals with this combination were 13 times more likely to have history of violent nature
• neural explanations

  • highlight the role of the pre-frontal cortex, individuals who experience anti-social personality show reduced activity in the PFC
  • PFC regulates emotional behaviour.
  •  Raine found an 11% reduction in the volume of grey matter in the PFC of people with ADP compared to control groups.
• mirror neurones

  • keysers found that only when criminals were asked to empathise with others did their empathy reactions activate.
  • This is controlled by mirror neurons and suggests that criminals do experience empathy, although is not an automatic response.