1. Starter: Quiz What does atavistic mean?
Name two atavistic facial characteristics.
In Lombroso’s skull research, what percentage of criminals had atavistic characteristics?
Why might the explanation provide support for the eugenic philosophy?
What was the only thing Goring found in common between the criminals in his study?
What did Lombroso fail to include in his research which is a major weakness?

2. Answers
Genetic throwback/primitive sub-species
Narrow sloping brow, strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones, facial asymmetry, dark skin, existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers
40%
Uncivilised, primitive traits are not desirable – should be eliminated
Lower than average IQ
Control group

3. Objectives
To be able to describe and evaluate genetic explanations for criminal behaviour.
To be able to describe and evaluate neural explanations for criminal behaviour.
To be able to evaluate biological explanations for criminal behaviour.

4. http://www. independent. co
The Mobley Defence
Real world application/issues and debates
Stephen Mobley ( ) was a convicted murderer executed by the State of Georgia for the 1991 killing of John C. Collins, a 25- year-old college student working nights as a Domino's pizza store manager. On appeal, Mobley's attorneys advanced a novel argument that Mobley was genetically predisposed to seeking violent solutions to conflict. The case was described as "perhaps the most widely cited case in which defence lawyers used genetic factors in the defence of their client".
Genetic determinism. Are we born to kill?

5. Read the following articles. Where do you stand?
Research
Possible evaluation points

6. Genetic and Neural Explanations of offender behaviour
Aim: to examine and evaluate the genetic and neural explanations for crime.

7. Genetics and neural explanations
Genetics: Genes consist of DNA strands. DNA produces ‘instructions’ for general physical features of an organism (e.g. eye colour, height) and also specific physical features (such as neurotransmitter levels and size of brain structures). These may impact psychological features (such as intelligence and mental disorder). Genes are transmitted from parents to offspring , i.e. inherited. Who do we study to look at the effects of genes on behaviour?
Neural explanations: Any explanation of behavior (and its disorders) in terms of (dys)functions of the brain and nervous system. This includes the activity of brain structures such as the hypothalamus, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine

8. Twin studies recap 2 advantages of studying twins as a psychologist
2 disadvantages of studying twins as a psychologist

9. Twin studies: main issue
Twin studies can only indicate a possible genetic component to a trait.
They cannot find the genes involved, nor can they say much about the mechanisms by which environment or upbringing could overcome the genetic predisposition

10. What does the research suggest about genetics?
Findings (% - genetic or G and E)
Christiansen (twin)
Tihonen et al
Fergusson (family)
Caspi (family)
Brunner (family)
Crowe (Adoption)

11. Research: twin studies
Christiansen (1977) examined over 3,500 twin pairs in Denmark and identified concordance rates of criminal behaviour as follows:
What do these findings suggest?

12. How does the MAOA gene link to aggressive behaviour?
The gene determines the production of the enzyme MAOA
MAOA metabolises (‘mops up’) neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline) in the brain after a nerve impulse, it breaks them down to be recycled or excreted.
A dysfunction in the operation of this gene may lead to abnormal activity of the MAOA enzyme, which in turn affects levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
People with the low-activity form (MAOA-L) produce less of the enzyme and this is correlated with aggression.
MAOA enzyme removes the in from the Amines so they no longer fit in to the receptor on the post synaptic neuron. There is less neurotransmitters to inhibit aggressive behaviour

13. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme involved in the deactivation of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin (mood, emotion, sleep), dopamine (transmits signals within the brain to produce smooth physical movements) and norepinephrine (body response to stress)
Defects in the gene Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) prevent the enzyme from working, so causing a build-up of neurotransmitters in the brain,
perhaps resulting in over-excitation of the nerves in stressful situations.
It has been found than in some violent males they have this variant of the gene.
Signals transmitted by serotonin regulate mood, emotion, sleep, and appetite. Epinephrine and norepinephrine control the body's response to stress. Dopamine transmits signals within the brain to produce smooth physical movements

14. Research showing a link between aggression and the MAOA gene
Han Brunner et al (1993) studied 28 males from a large Dutch family who were repeatedly involved in impulsively aggressive violent criminal behaviour. It was found that these men had abnormally low levels of MAOA in their brains and the low-activity version of the MAOA gene.
This research supports the role of MAOA in aggression as when this gene is not functioning correctly, individuals display aggressive behaviour.

15. The MAOA gene and the environment
Genes are crucial influences on aggressive behaviour, but they do not function in isolation. It appears to be the case that MAOA-L is only related to adult aggression when combined with early traumatic life events.
This indicates that an interaction of genetics and environment is at work in determining human aggression and there the phenotype differs from the genotype.
Possessing MAOA-L does not automatically make you aggressive.

16. Nature or Nurture? Interesting
8.5% of the US population report having suffered from a head injury.
60% of inmates in US prisons report having suffered a head injury.
Nature or Nurture?

17. Create a PEEL evaluation point
Biological determinism presents problems for our legal system since it negates free will and raises the ethical question surrounding what society does with people who carry criminal genes
A focus on the nature of criminal behaviour but not considering the nurture of criminal behaviour.
Time of adoption:
Many adoptees are adopted late so spend their infancy with their biological parents anyway. Some also maintain regular contact with their biological parents. This means that the parents may have had an environmental rather than biological impact.
Early twin studies are often unreliable since zygosity (whether twins are MZ or DZ) was based on appearance rather than DNA testing. Therefore they may lack validity.
Problems with twin studies
Twin studied involve small sample sizes and the fact that most twins are raised in the same environment is a confounding variable as concordance rates may be due to shared experiences (SLT ) rather than genetics
Biological reductionism is an issue within these studies as criminality is complex and environmental factors must be considered.

18. Complete the blank spaces to finish off the evaluation paragraphs
Evaluation: page 34-35
Complete the blank spaces to finish off the evaluation paragraphs