Inherited criminality 10
Cards (9)
- Osborn & West (1982)Compared sons of criminal & non criminal fathers.Found that 13% of sons of non criminal father had criminal convictions compared to 40% of sons of criminal fathers.
- Raine (1993)Reviewed the literature comparing the delinquent behaviour of twins.Average concordance rate was higher for MZ twins (52%) than DZ twins (21%).
- Crowe (1972)Found that adopted children who had a biological parent with a criminal record had a 38% greater risk of having criminal record by the age of 18, whereas adopted children whose parent did not have a criminal record only had a 6% risk.
- MAOA GeneNicknamed the ‘warrior gene‘.Refers to a genetic variant of the MAOA gene that was named due to its link to aggressive behaviour.This gene encodes the monoamine oxidase A enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters.People with the ‘warrior’ gene have low levels of monoamine oxidase A, which disrupts the normal breakdown of neurotransmitters, like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.This accumulation of neurotransmitters has been linked to increased risk of aggressive and antisocial behaviour.
- Brunner et alAnalysed the DNA of 28 male members of a Dutch family with a history of impulsive & violent criminal behaviour (rape & attempted murder). The men shared a mutation in the MAOA gene leading to low levels of MAOA.
- Cadherin 13 (CDH13)A gene involved in neural connectivity.Unclear how it leads to violent behaviour but also links to ADHD, depression, substance misuse and ASD.
- Tiihonen et al (2015)Research with 900 Finnish offenders.Found evidence of low MAOA activity and low activity from the CDH13 gene.Estimated 5-10% of all violent crime in Finland is due to abnormalities in these 2 genes.
- Strengths of inherited criminality theoryDeterministicReductionistScientificSupporting evidence
- Weaknesses of inherited criminality theoryDeterministicReductionistIgnores nurtureCorrelation not causationsLack of responsibility?