Genetic explanations of aggression

One way of investigating whether aggression is inherited is by looking at

twin studies. Monozygotic twins (MZ twins) share 100% of their genes and
Dizygotic twins (DZ twins) share 50% of their genes. If MZ twins have
more similar levels of aggression and therefore a higher concordance rate,
then it is more likely that aggression is inherited. McGuffin & Gottesman
found concordance rates were 87% for MZ twins and 72% for DZ twins.
Because MZ concordance rate is higher than DZ, we can assume there is a
genetic influence in aggressive behaviour.
Another way of investigating whether aggression is genetic is using
adoption studies. If a positive correlation is found between aggressive
behaviour is adopted children and their biological parents, then a genetic
effect is implied. For example, Hutchings and Mednick (1975) studied
14,000 adoptees in Denmark and found a significant number adopted
boys with criminal convictions had biological parents with criminal
convictions.
Another possible idea is that aggression can be inherited through
the MAOA gene. MAOA regulates serotonin levels, and low levels of
serotonin are associated with aggression, suggesting this gene regulated
aggressive behaviour. Brunner studied males in a Dutch family and found
that those who had been involved in arson and rape crimes as abnormally
low MAOA in their bodies, suggesting that there may be a gene which can
influence aggression.
However when conducting such research it is very difficult to
establish the role of genes in causing aggression. More than one gene can
often contribute to a given behaviour, suggesting there may not be just
one gene for aggression. This suggests that it is hard to judge the role of
the MAOA gene in causing aggression. Moreover, environmental
influences may also contribute in a gene-environment interaction. Caspi et
al (2002) studied 500 male children, and found that those with low MAOA
who were maltreated as children showed increase aggression, but not
those with low MAOA or those who were, maltreated alone. Therefore we
cannot rely on the role the MAOA gene in contributing to aggression as
there may be other environmental influences.
There are also some problems with the way some of this data has
been collected. Many studies of aggression such as those conducted by
Hutchings and Mednick (1975) rely on parental or self reports of
aggressive behaviour. This means that someone may say that they are
more aggressive than they actually are in order to bias the results of the
study in their favour. This means studies such as these do not give reliable
explanations of aggressive behaviour, so in the case of Hutchings and
Mednick (1975) we cannot guarantee aggression is genetic.

There is research which supports the idea that aggression can be

inherited. Coccaro claims that 50% variance in aggression in adult twins could be
attributed to genetic factors. This demonstrates aggression can be inherited.
However this study also suggests that 50% variance in aggression is adult twins
isn't attributed to genetic factors. Therefore this suggests research into genetic is
biologically deterministic, as it ignores other factors which can be present which
can also influence levels of aggression. It may be that factors such as social
upbringing also contribute to levels of aggression.

Studying aggression in non-human animals can help us understand

aggression in humans. It is possible to manipulate specific genes which
code for aggressive behaviour (similar to the MAOA gene). Young et al
claim to have identified a genetic mutation which causes mice to become
aggressive, showing violence towards other mice. A counterpart of this
gene is present in humans, therefore supporting the idea that there is a
genetic basis for aggression.
However, using animals causes issues with extrapolation, meaning
different results regarding aggression may be found if the study was
replicated on non-human animals. Also, there are many ethical issues
involved with animal research and genetic engineering, suggesting this is
not an ethically viable way of investigating genes which influence
aggressive behaviour.