Many people have studied nature v. nurture over the years, both in the world of criminology and outside of it. Criminology is the study on psychology, economics, biology, statistics, and other factors to explain criminal behavior. Why are we the way we are? What makes you an extrovert or an introvert? Intelligent or unintelligent? A criminal or a law-abiding citizen? This debate is one that has been going on for centuries and will continue to be researched and studied for more.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Research has shown that the major factors that contribute to criminal behavior under the nature v. nurture theory are: (1) the absences of love; (2) affection; (3) dedication of the parents; (4) the wanting to …show more content…
II. Nurture
Whereas, Aristotle believed that all humans are born with a clean slate and the environment (nurture), shapes them, or the relationships and caring that surround them. When it comes to nurture researchers say that there is no single gene that is responsible for an individual’s behavior and that most has to do with upbringing. According to Hegger (2015), “One’s upbringing and social learning environment directly contribute to an individual’s specific criminogenic needs. Such needs are traits that lead to criminal behavior” (para. 5).
For example, let’s say one was raised in a poor neighborhood with a drug addicted mom and a father who was convicted of rape when they were young. They were not taught right from wrong. They grow up, move out of that neighborhood, get married, have a family, a decent job, and are an upstanding citizen. Yet one day they lose that job, and now their family is starving. Because they were raised in a poor neighborhood where they saw crime daily on the street, will they revert to that? Does that mean it was no fault of their …show more content…
The study of twins has helped make the determination that it is in fact both. “A study of more than 14.5 million twins over the course of 50 years found that human traits are 49 percent genetic and 51 percent environmental” (Sassman, 2015, para. 10). Early on in the study of twins’ the results led to the conclusion that it was mostly genetics that caused one to be who they are; but as the studies continued into identical v. fraternal v. those reared apart, the conclusion
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Research has shown that the major factors that contribute to criminal behavior under the nature v. nurture theory are: (1) the absences of love; (2) affection; (3) dedication of the parents; (4) the wanting to …show more content…
II. Nurture
Whereas, Aristotle believed that all humans are born with a clean slate and the environment (nurture), shapes them, or the relationships and caring that surround them. When it comes to nurture researchers say that there is no single gene that is responsible for an individual’s behavior and that most has to do with upbringing. According to Hegger (2015), “One’s upbringing and social learning environment directly contribute to an individual’s specific criminogenic needs. Such needs are traits that lead to criminal behavior” (para. 5).
For example, let’s say one was raised in a poor neighborhood with a drug addicted mom and a father who was convicted of rape when they were young. They were not taught right from wrong. They grow up, move out of that neighborhood, get married, have a family, a decent job, and are an upstanding citizen. Yet one day they lose that job, and now their family is starving. Because they were raised in a poor neighborhood where they saw crime daily on the street, will they revert to that? Does that mean it was no fault of their …show more content…
The study of twins has helped make the determination that it is in fact both. “A study of more than 14.5 million twins over the course of 50 years found that human traits are 49 percent genetic and 51 percent environmental” (Sassman, 2015, para. 10). Early on in the study of twins’ the results led to the conclusion that it was mostly genetics that caused one to be who they are; but as the studies continued into identical v. fraternal v. those reared apart, the conclusion