The MAOA Gene

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the MAOA gene, also known as the ‘warrior gene’, focusing in particular on: (i) its biological function being to regulate the production of monoamine oxidase A in the human body and how this may be linked to aggressive behaviour; (ii) a study by Brunner et al. (1993) which suggests that there is a relationship between the low-activity version of the MAOA gene and high levels of aggression in males; (iii) the research of Caspi et al. (2002) which shows that it is not the MAOA gene alone but rather the interaction between an individual’s genetic makeup and their environment (e.g. childhood trauma) which has a significant impact on aggression.

About the lecturer

Claire Lawrence is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

She works predominantly in the area of individual differences and her research centres around the question: Why do some people act aggressively in some situations, and other people don't? She also examines whether some antisocial traits have benefits in a sexual selection context.

Her second main area of research is the unintended and negative impacts of behavioural interventions.