'Gene for crime'

‘Such incredulity about a ‘gene for crime’ – the label that has, inevitably, attached itself to an inborn tendency to offend – is surprising, as nobody denies that crime is inherited.’ (Jones, S (1996))*

In the passage above Jones suggests there is a societal disapproval for the notion that crime can be reduced to a single gene (a purely biological explanation for crime). This disapproval of a biological cause for crime is contrasted against Jones' own view that nobody denies that crime per se is inherited. It may be reasonable to assume that the acquisition of a criminal lifestyle is preferably seen to be social rather than biological.

Discuss the above statement with respect to the psychobiological evidence and social factors.

From Jones, S. (1996). In the blood: God, genes and destiny. Flamingo


The controversial field of behavioural genetics has been researched into thoroughly, with supported claims for a genetic base of behavioural attributes such a...