Genetic Epidemiology Of Antisocial Behavior"

"Genetic Epidemiology of Antisocial Behavior"

Ty A. Ridenour

What exactly causes anti-social behavior in individuals, and how can it be prevented are questions proposed in Ty A. Ridenour's Genetic Epidemiology of Antisocial Behavior. Ridenour's contention is that biological factors and genes play a role in the development of anti-social "criminal" behavior in individuals. "Familial aggregation" which Ridenour explains is the "tendency for criminal and antisocial behavior to run in families", is the focus of Ridenour's debate that genetics and anti-social behavior are linked. Ridenour has also embraced environmental factors that have been found in other research to cause anti-social behavior, such as upbringing and parental practices. In order to provide evidence for his theory, Ridenour cites twin and adoption studies as well as genotype environment correlation observations. Preventing anti-social behavior or to "curb" it are Ridenours ultimate intentions, and proscribes alternative methods to be used in the criminal justice system rather than the current processes in place at the present moment.

Much research is referenced in Ridenour's article that provides edvicnence for his point of view. First that is discussed are studies involving identical and fraternal twins and whether or not genetics and or environment play a role in the advancement of anti-social behavior. Despite some limitations and criticism involving sampling size and fairly too large confidence intervals, Ridenour cites that these "robust findings provide compelling evidence in favor of a genetic influence on personally measures related to anti-social behavior". Another study involved Danish adoption, that despite the criticism of using crime conviction as a measuring instrument because of variations in the law, poling and so forth, found that Danish boys were more likely to be convicted of a crime, when their biological father was convicted as well. In addition to this finding in the Danish study, if both the boy's biological father and adoptive father were convicted of a crime, the boy was more likely to commit a crime.

Ridenour then in this article began to explore and debate the need for implicating alternative crime control methods and strategies that are presently not being explored. The criminal justice today, focusing their attention on what Ridenouor calls, an "ineffective system" which consists of prisons, lots of money being wasted and even higher recidivism rates. In order to save money and to focus on preventative interventions, Ridenour contends that's identifying subtypes of criminals such as antisocial behavior is the key