genetic theory believes criminality is inherited

Boys have XY chromosome and girls have XX, 23 from mum and 23 from dad, XYY theory believes extra chromosome is inherited

XYY are ‘super males’ linked to aggression, height and strength

one study= court and brown: looked at 314 XYY people and said they are too aggressive and need to be hospitalised

jacob: 1:1000 XYY in everyday society and 15:1000 XYY in prison

prince and whatmore: XYY are immature and unstable and are more likely to commit property theft

lots of serial killers prove this

studied for a long time

gene is seen more in convicted criminals than people in everyday society

it has high ecological validity

if there’s a link that means criminals can be helped

no actual association other than height proven

doesn’t consider nurtures impact

not everyone with the gene is the same

self fulfilling prophecy

doesn’t explain criminal behaviour without the XYY gene

social issues: excuses and defends behaviour in trails