Twin Studies Evaluation

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Twin Studies Evaluation

Advantages

  • Such studies are natural experiments due to the biological relation in twins
  • Johannes et al. (1929) found ten of the thirteen monozygotic twins had served time in prison whereas only two of the seventeen dizygotic twins had such a concordance
  • Results of twin studies have helped in prevention of vulnerable disorders
  • Christiansen (1977) supports the view that criminality does have a genetic component

Disadvantages

  • Early twin studies e.g. Lange (1929) were inadequately controlled and lacked validity as to whether the twins were monozygotic or dizygotic as it was based on appearance and not DNA
  • Small sample involved in the studies may not represent the whole population
  • If the twins are brought up in the same environment then criminality could just as easily be about environment as it is about genetics

Evaluation

This study provides useful insight into the nature vs nurture debate and helps investigate the link between genes and criminality. However, the evidence it is based on might not be very reliable and therefore clouds our judgement of the studies and doesn't determine if criminality is dependant on genetics or environment. 

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