Etiology of Anti-Social Behaviour essays

Etiology of Anti-Social Behaviour essays Society must accept responsibility to control anti-social behaviour among adolescents, in order to limit youth violence. Four theories of child anti-social behaviour are neoclassical, biological, psychological, and the economic/ sociological theory (Hoge s delinquency; of which the two most encompassing factors are environmental and biological. Environmental factors are a widely accepted hypothesis concerning juvenile crime and violence. Parental failure, poverty, TV, and location of upbringing are a few recognized instigators of delinquency; however, recent studies have hypothesized the significance heritability and genetics have on a childs response to his/her environment. Research provides support that biological and environmentally based anti-social behaviour may be overcome through social and educational programs aimed at high risk individuals, leaving deterrents and medical treatments as a last resort. Despite hesitation from many professionals, genetic acknowledgment will provide the missing piece of information concerning human nature and tendencies. Longitudinal studies show males born with a sluggish version of the gene for monoamine oxidase A, or MAOA, tended to have a higher level of aggression and anti-social behaviour. The MAOA gene is situated on the X chromosome, and is responsible for imbalance in neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine (Bower, 2002). A longitudinal study from New Zealand followed 442 males from age three to eleven. By age eleven 36% of the boys had been mentally, physically, or sexually abused. Although the only 12 % of the abused boys possessed the low-activity MAOA gene, 85%of these boys developed anti-social behaviour. In contrast, boys who inherited a highly active MAOA gene may promote trauma resistance (Bower, 2002). Twin and adopti...