Thursday 16 May 2013
Genes and Serotonin
Crime has been found to run in families, but this does not necessarily mean that nurture is responsible for crime.
One biological explanation of crime is that some people may be predisposed to crime as they differ in terms of genes and serotonin levels. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with mood disorders and aggressive impulsive acts, as serotonin is involved in brain development, whilst some psychologists have claimed that inheriting certain genes or combinations may predispose someone to crime.
Study: Brunner et al. conducted a case study of a Dutch family upon request of females in the family who were concerned about the behaviour of the males.
5 affected males were involved in the case study, all of whom were affected by borderline mental retardation and tendencies of abnormal violent behaviour including attempted rape and arson. Urine samples were taken and analysed from the sample, from which Brunner et al found disturbed monoamine metabolism associated with a deficit of MAO A. A mutation in the X chromosome was also identified, which explained why no females were affected as the XX genetic make-up counteracted the mutation.
MAO A is involved in serotonin metabolism, and thus Brunner et al concluded that the impairment of this gene was the cause of the mental retardation as well as their aggressive behaviour.
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Hi! Your blog is great! How do you think a question would be phrased on this topic? If it was 'describe one piece of evidence on crime being caused by genes and serotonin' would you write the bit you wrote at the beginning and then go into the study, or just start right with the study?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the questions!
Thank you! I think something along the lines of "Outline how genes and serotonin could explain criminal behaviour". When it asks for an explanation, make sure you do mostly the explanation and illustrate with theory. If it asks for research or evidence, then I would begin with a couple of sentences introduction to the paragraph; so yes, I'd start with the second paragraph in the post.
DeleteThere's a post on tackling section a questions that I made earlier this month that might help you too, but feel free to ask as many questions as you like! Is there any other topic you'd like me to cover which I haven't so far?
Okay thank you, I'll look into that. I don't think there's anything else I want you to cover, as what you're doing already is really good! But, if I think of any questions I'll be sure to ask.
ReplyDeleteYou've written that low levels of serotonin are associated with impulsive behaviour, this is incorrect. The point mutation on the X chromosome causes the deficit of MAOA which means serotonin cannot be metabolised leading to excess levels of serotonin which is associated with violent/impulsive behaviour :)
ReplyDeleteActually, research in 2008 suggested that low serotonin levels were linked to impulsivity. It seems that any disturbed or abnormal levels of serotonin are associated with impulsive behaviour.
DeleteI know this is like a year after you've posted this but thank you :) you have just greatly aided in the completion of my IB extended essay :) thank you :)
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