Biological theories of offending (slides)

January 7, 2018 | Author: Anonymous | Category: Science, Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics
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Interpret, evaluate and draw conclusions from evidence Transfer concepts and skills from one topic to another Learn effectively from lectures psychlotron.org.uk

Biological theories of offending

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• Later on, I will be giving you a lecture on this. But first, I want you to use your psychological skills of interpretation and evaluation to anticipate what I’m going to tell you.

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Is there a gene for crime?

No. There isn’t. • ‘Lombrosian’ view: – Single defective gene responsible

• Modern behavioural genetics:

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– Polygenetic influences – Complex interactions with environment – No assumption of defect

Two questions • Is there a genetic influence on crime? – Family history studies – Twin studies – Adoption studies

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• If so, how does the influence operate?

Family history studies • Osborne & West (1982) – Father has a criminal conviction – 40% of sons do – Father has no criminal conviction – 13% of sons do

• Consistent with genetic influence

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– Also with learning/environment – Suggests genes do not determine criminality

Twin studies • Early studies strongly suggested genetic influence but flaws in sampling, determining zygocity. • More recently: • Low MZ concordances – influence not strong • Confounding effects of more similar treatment for MZ

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– Christiansen (1977): MZ 35%; DZ 13% – Dalgard & Kringlen (1976): MZ 26%; DZ 15%

Adoption studies • Generally found that adopted children more similar to biological than adoptive parents. • Supports genetic hypothesis but:

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– Issue of what is being inherited (e.g. alcoholism) – Could be prenatal influences, not genetic – Age at adoption – early influences?

What is being inherited? • Hollin (1992) gives three suggestions:

• Difficult to resolve because of enormous complexity of interactions • Lots of biological correlates of criminality; few obvious causes.

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– Abnormal CNS e.g. Low IQ; ADHD – Abnormal ANS e.g. Lack of responsiveness – Abnormal endocrine e.g. Influence of testosterone

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• Which bits had you already worked out? • Which bits were new or unexpected given your own interpretation?

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