A genetic explanation of aggression
- Genetic explanations of aggression assume that aggressive behaviour is the result of inherited traits/characteristics that have adapted across generations because of their evolutionary usefulness (i.e. aggression is a trait necessary for survival)
- About 50% of the variance in aggressive behaviour is explained by genetics, ergo 50% of variance is explained by environmental factors (Tuvblad & Baker 2013)
- Genetic inheritance of traits is generally investigated using twin studies which are ideal as MZ twins share 100% of their DNA and they not only provide a control sample for each other but can be compared to DZ twins
- Christiansen (1974) found 35% concordance for aggression between MZ twins but only 13% concordance for DZ twins; Rushton et al. (1986) found a correlation coefficient of 0.40 for MZ twins but only 0.04 for DZ twins
- Adoption studies are also used to investigate genetic factors in aggression as they may highlight differences between biological and adoptive parents and their children
- Rhee & Waldman’s (2002) meta-analysis of 52 twin and adoption studies showed that environmental factors can only be an explanation for aggression if the specific genetic factors are already present i.e. environment alone is not enough to trigger aggression