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Strength: Support for Genetic Explanations of Crime
Twin studies provide support for genetic explanations of crime, as identical twins are genetically identical. If one twin is a criminal, the other is more likely to be as well, suggesting a genetic link to criminality.
Strength: Twin Studies as Natural Experiments
Twin studies are natural experiments, as the biological relationships between the twins are naturally occurring variables.
Strength: Supporting Evidence for Twin Studies
There is supporting evidence for the use of twin studies in investigating the genetic factors of criminality.
Weakness: Concordance and Environmental Influence
If genetics were the only cause of criminality, monozygotic (MZ) twins would show 100% concordance. Higher concordance rates in MZ twins could be due to their shared home environment, where one twin could influence the other.
Weakness: Impact of Other Environmental Factors
Other environmental factors, such as socio-economic status, family upbringing, or peer influence, could impact the criminality of twins, making it difficult to isolate genetic influence.
Weakness: Lack of Control in Early Studies
Early twin studies were not controlled and lacked validity due to this lack of control.
Weakness: Small Sample Sizes
The samples in twin studies are usually quite small, limiting how well the findings can be applied to the wider population.
Weakness: Shared Environment in Twin Studies
Twins are brought up in the same environment, which makes it hard to separate the influence of genetics from environmental factors.
