| Abstract: | Argues that conclusions drawn from L. Kirkegaard-Sorenson and S. A. Mednick's (see record 1975-25536-001) recent study on criminality are weakened by inadequate selection of controls. The inclusion of siblings as Ss introduces the possibility of effects due to interaction between siblings. Such interaction would not affect experimental and control groups equally because the number of siblings per family included is not controlled. Further, separations of children from parents for less than 5 yrs are not controlled, although this is a factor on which high-risk and control Ss are likely to differ. Control ancestors were screened for mental illness, but the high-risk ancestors were not. Thus, the possibility of ancestor influences other than the mother's schizophrenia is not ruled out. Finally, the rejection of control children with mental illness is misguided and could select against potential criminal controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
