Molecular Genetics And Criminal Behavior Essay

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Genetic research on behaviour genetics and molecular genetics are methods and analytical procedures that have enormous influence on the biological factors. For molecular genetics, studies have shown that a person’s tendency to commit a crime is linked to monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), which is also known as “the warrior gene”. The MAOA gene appears to prevent antisocial behaviour in humans (Kim-Cohen et al., 2006). Aggression and violence are often linked to the low activity form of this gene, abbreviated as MAMO-L (McDermott, Tingley, Cowden, Frazzetto, & Johnson, 2009). This results in people reacting more impulsively and violently in response to provocation, especially in youngsters after experiencing hardship in their childhood. According …show more content…

The womb is a complicated place. While in utero, mothers are highly responsible for the nourishment and safety of the fetus, which can influence both the development of the child and long-term behaviour, leading to potential risks for serious antisocial behaviors later in life. Studies have shown that fetuses exposed to toxic or diseased prenatal environment such as opiates, a drug derived from opium, during pregnancy will tend to be at a higher risk for conduct issues in their teenage years (Dodge & Pettit, 2003, p. 351). Exposure to alcohol in the prenatal stages can also result to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which is a serious medical condition (Brown, Connor, & Adler, 2012). It results in youth having a high rate of self-regulation problems, antisocial behavior, and conduct disorders (Brown et al., 2012). This increases the chances of being inclined to criminal behaviour and committing crimes. Studies have also suggests that smoking during pregnancy may contribute to brain deficits and later conduct disorder (Raine, 2002). Alcohol, smoking or even taking drugs will have negative effects on the fetus, due to the bad influence exposed even before birth which will lead to brain disorders and violent …show more content…

Being liked and accepted by peer groups play a major role in development, generally leading to healthy psychological and social development (Rubin, Bukowski, & Parker, 1998). Studies have shown that development of antisocial behaviour in in adolescence is early rejection by peer groups. Children tend to be an outcast when aggressiveness is shown towards their peersm, which creates poor peer relationship and forming groups with others who share similar behaviours or to participate in deviant peer groups that then increases the tendency to become more deviant and antisocial. This will most likely continue into adolescence and even further into adulthood. This results in an increased chance for individuals seek out greater contact with similar outcasted peers, which encourages and amplifies the exsisting antisocial tendencies, inclining towards criminal and violent behaviours (Holmes et al., 2001). As noted by Coie (2004), “The impact of deviant peer group influences on the crystallization of an antisocial developmental trajectory [emphasis added] has been solidly documented” (p.

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