Describe and Evaluate genetic explanations of aggression (24)
AO1 AO2 Research Evaluation/AO2 of research AO2/AO3
Research indicates that aggression Cairnes et al Animal study so generalising Some evidence, and media
is influenced by genetic Created highly aggressive male and findings to humans would be coverage, seem to strengthen
abnormalities, specifically the XYY female mice that would show their problematic the view that genetics are
gene which was first identified by aggression in middle age rather than Animal ethics/concerns as bound up with the behaviour of
Sandberg. The theory also claims when they were young or old. selective breeding was involved XYY individuals
that through genetic transmission, Cost-benefit analysis This theory is deterministic as
aggression can be passed from one aggression is biologically
generation to another, as shown by determined with no free will to
Nelson et al who noted that play a part
selective breeding experiments can Supports nature in the nature-
lead to more aggressive behaviour nurture debate
in animals. Court-Brown Large sample size of 314 makes 1/3 of males carry the low level
He found, from a sample of 314 generalising findings to the activity of the MAOA gene,
patients, that those with the XYY wider population easier/less suggesting that it has an
chromosomes would be ‘best problematic adaptive advantage
hospitalised due to an increased The MAOA is also associated
likelihood of aggressive behaviour’. with risk taking so it may have
Theilgaard Contradicts the findings of beneficial qualities in certain
States that the issue is complex and Court-Brown occupation, such as working on
that although XYY males might seem the stock market
more aggressive, these tendencies The effects of the MAOA gene is
did not mean they would readily not so noticeable in females and
perform acts that were violent and it may be that the version of the
resulted in prison or gene found in one of their X
institutionalisation chromosome cancels out the
The MAOA is an enzyme made by Mattson Animal ethics – physical harm effects of the other X
the gene that mops up excess MAOA deficient male mice attacked Problematic generalisation to chromosome
neurotransmitters. It appears that new mice introduced to their cage humans It may be possible to devise
aggression is influenced by a and failed to establish the usual Cost-benefit analysis drug treatment for people with
variation of the MAOA gene, which dominant-submissive relationship, the low activity version of the
is sensitive to social therefore demonstrating the MAOA gene to help control
AO1 AO2 Research Evaluation/AO2 of research AO2/AO3
Research indicates that aggression Cairnes et al Animal study so generalising Some evidence, and media
is influenced by genetic Created highly aggressive male and findings to humans would be coverage, seem to strengthen
abnormalities, specifically the XYY female mice that would show their problematic the view that genetics are
gene which was first identified by aggression in middle age rather than Animal ethics/concerns as bound up with the behaviour of
Sandberg. The theory also claims when they were young or old. selective breeding was involved XYY individuals
that through genetic transmission, Cost-benefit analysis This theory is deterministic as
aggression can be passed from one aggression is biologically
generation to another, as shown by determined with no free will to
Nelson et al who noted that play a part
selective breeding experiments can Supports nature in the nature-
lead to more aggressive behaviour nurture debate
in animals. Court-Brown Large sample size of 314 makes 1/3 of males carry the low level
He found, from a sample of 314 generalising findings to the activity of the MAOA gene,
patients, that those with the XYY wider population easier/less suggesting that it has an
chromosomes would be ‘best problematic adaptive advantage
hospitalised due to an increased The MAOA is also associated
likelihood of aggressive behaviour’. with risk taking so it may have
Theilgaard Contradicts the findings of beneficial qualities in certain
States that the issue is complex and Court-Brown occupation, such as working on
that although XYY males might seem the stock market
more aggressive, these tendencies The effects of the MAOA gene is
did not mean they would readily not so noticeable in females and
perform acts that were violent and it may be that the version of the
resulted in prison or gene found in one of their X
institutionalisation chromosome cancels out the
The MAOA is an enzyme made by Mattson Animal ethics – physical harm effects of the other X
the gene that mops up excess MAOA deficient male mice attacked Problematic generalisation to chromosome
neurotransmitters. It appears that new mice introduced to their cage humans It may be possible to devise
aggression is influenced by a and failed to establish the usual Cost-benefit analysis drug treatment for people with
variation of the MAOA gene, which dominant-submissive relationship, the low activity version of the
is sensitive to social therefore demonstrating the MAOA gene to help control
