Genetic Factors influencing aggression

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  • Created by: Grace
  • Created on: 06-01-13 15:02
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  • Genetic Factors influencing aggression
    • The idea that aggression is part of your genetic make up. It has been found to run in families and also twin studies have shown that the more genes you share the more likely you are to both be aggressive
      • May be down to things like sibling rivalry or feeling like they are not independent - behavioural approach
      • Hutchings - studied 14,000 adoptions in Denmark and found that a significant number of adopted boys with criminal convictions had biological parents (mainly fathers) who had criminal convictions.
        • Cancels out the lowest criticism as this shows it must be genetics as they never met their parents.
          • BUT, may be down to other factors not just genetics, may be angry that never known their parents - means its correlational not causational.
      • MAOA gene regulates serotonin and low serotonin = aggression. Brunner et al -  studied a Dutch family many of the male members had been aggressive and had been in serious crimes such as **** and arson
        • Cairns - bred aggressive mice that became aggressive when middle aged.
          • Animal research - generalisability BUT findings on genetics are consistent so seem to be reliable. POTEGAL - animals and humans have qualitative differences but are quantitatively the same  - can generalise with caution.
        • May not be genetics - may actually be linked to SLT. They saw their parents act that way so learnt to act that way also.
        • BUT Brunner at al did not test the general public for the gene so cannot be sure whether other people that are not aggressive have low levels too.
    • Not all people who have violent parents are violent which suggests it cannot be JUST down to genetics. Suggests other things can make you aggressive too. Need to be more holistic as this suggests we have no choice about whether we are aggressive or not and cannot control what we know is right or wrong. Need to consider other factors. Mix of them all to be more holistic.
  • The idea that aggression is part of your genetic make up. It has been found to run in families and also twin studies have shown that the more genes you share the more likely you are to both be aggressive
    • May be down to things like sibling rivalry or feeling like they are not independent - behavioural approach
    • Hutchings - studied 14,000 adoptions in Denmark and found that a significant number of adopted boys with criminal convictions had biological parents (mainly fathers) who had criminal convictions.
      • Cancels out the lowest criticism as this shows it must be genetics as they never met their parents.
        • BUT, may be down to other factors not just genetics, may be angry that never known their parents - means its correlational not causational.
    • MAOA gene regulates serotonin and low serotonin = aggression. Brunner et al -  studied a Dutch family many of the male members had been aggressive and had been in serious crimes such as **** and arson
      • Cairns - bred aggressive mice that became aggressive when middle aged.
        • Animal research - generalisability BUT findings on genetics are consistent so seem to be reliable. POTEGAL - animals and humans have qualitative differences but are quantitatively the same  - can generalise with caution.
      • May not be genetics - may actually be linked to SLT. They saw their parents act that way so learnt to act that way also.
      • BUT Brunner at al did not test the general public for the gene so cannot be sure whether other people that are not aggressive have low levels too.

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