Forensic- Biological explanations- Genetic and Neural- A01
- Created by: MollyL20
- Created on: 28-09-21 08:51
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- Biological explanations
- Genetic- Offenders inherit a gene or a combination of genes which can predispose them to commit a crime
- Twin Studies
- 1- Lange investigated 13 MZ twins and 17 DZ twins where one in each pair had been to prison
- 2- He found that 10 of the MZ twins had been to prison, but only 2 of the DZ twins
- 3- Christiansen studies 87 MZ and 147 DZ twins found a concordance of 33% for the MZ twins and 12% for DZ twins
- Adoption studies
- 1- Crowe found that adopted children who had a biological parent with a criminal record by the age of 18
- 2- Where as, adopted children whose biological parent didn't have a criminal record, only had a 5% risk
- Candidate genes
- 1- Tihonen et al carried out a genetic analysis of 900 offenders which revealed abnormalities on two genes: MAOA gene and CDH13 gene
- MAOA gene- controls dopamine and serotonin- linked to aggressive behaviour. CDH13 gene- linked to substance abuse and attention deficit disorder
- He found that individuals with a higher risk combination were 13x more likely to have a history of violent behaviour
- 1- Tihonen et al carried out a genetic analysis of 900 offenders which revealed abnormalities on two genes: MAOA gene and CDH13 gene
- Diathesis-stress model
- A tendency towards criminal behaviour may come about through the combination of genetic and a biological or psychological trigger
- Twin Studies
- Neural- There may be nerual differences in the brains of criminals and non-criminals. Most of the evidence comes from people with antisocial personality disorder
- Prefrontal cortex
- 1- Raine used several dozen brain-imaging studies on the ADP brain and that people with the disorder have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex.
- 2- Raine and his colleagues also found an 11% reduction in the volume of matter found in the prefrontal cortex with people with ADP
- Mirror neurons
- 1- Keysers et al found that when criminals were asked to empathise with a person on a film experiencing pain, did their empathy reaction activate?
- 2- This suggests that people with ADP may have neural switch that can be turned on and off unlike the normal brain
- Biochemistry
- Noradrenaline: part of the fight or flight response. High levels are linked to violence and agression
- Serotonin: Regulates mood and impulse control. Low levels could cause more impulsive behaviour
- Dopamine: Is linked to addiction and therefore substance abuse.
- Prefrontal cortex
- Genetic- Offenders inherit a gene or a combination of genes which can predispose them to commit a crime
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