Throughout history there has been an abundance of researchers seeking the correlation between criminal behavior and internal and external influences. Without surprise there has been a large number of responses that argue the nature versus nurture concept. My goal was to ascertain the relative strength and consistency of genetics, mental disorders, family relations and environmental influences as a correlation to the propensity to commit crime. This paper examines the correlation between such internal and external influences as a way to reach this goal.
I do believe that some people have the propensity to commit crime. The propensity of crime can arise from an array of influences including genetics, mental disorders, …show more content…
There has been countless theorist that have spent their careers exploring the number of dynamics that accounts for the propensity to commit crime. Robert Agnew, “suggested environmental factors and social and physical traits contribute to criminality.” (Robert Agnew,1990). With the help of theorist, researchers and criminologist we are provided a solid foundation to begin to make a correlation between criminal behavior and internal and external influences. To begin understanding the idea that some people have the propensity to commit crime we must first find a correlation between ones genetic characteristics and their criminal behavior. Within the last decade there has been studies concentrated in behavioral genetics that indicates some people are genetically predisposed to criminal behavior. “One study has found that a mutation in the structural gene for monoamine oxidase which gives rise to an acute build-up of neurotransmitters associated with the body’s ‘fight or …show more content…
Hemphill et al., 1998 and Hare et al., 2000). Researchers have analyzed crimes and discovered those who suffer from posttraumatic disorder, psychosis, munchausen syndrome by proxy, schizophrenia and other mental disorders make up for about twenty percent of crimes committed. Marzuk says, "In the last decade, the evidence showing a link between violence, crime, and mental illness has mounted. It cannot be dismissed; it should not be ignored” (Eronen,1996). These mental disorders can lead to low self-esteem, isolation, embarrassment and hopelessness. These overwhelming emotions accompanied with their mental disorder can create a need of control within their life; when everything seems to be falling apart. This false sense of the need to control can lead one to commit crimes. For instance, if the individual suffering from mental illness, experienced a rough week where they were laid off from their long-term job and discovered their spouse was caring on an extra martial affair. These devastating unforeseen situations may force the individual into a depression and create the overwhelming feeling to take back control of their life in violent measures. Markku Eronen and colleagues studied the psychiatric evaluations of 693 Finnish murderers. Their data showed that "schizophrenia increases the odds ratio of homicidal violence by about 8- fold in men and
I do believe that some people have the propensity to commit crime. The propensity of crime can arise from an array of influences including genetics, mental disorders, …show more content…
There has been countless theorist that have spent their careers exploring the number of dynamics that accounts for the propensity to commit crime. Robert Agnew, “suggested environmental factors and social and physical traits contribute to criminality.” (Robert Agnew,1990). With the help of theorist, researchers and criminologist we are provided a solid foundation to begin to make a correlation between criminal behavior and internal and external influences. To begin understanding the idea that some people have the propensity to commit crime we must first find a correlation between ones genetic characteristics and their criminal behavior. Within the last decade there has been studies concentrated in behavioral genetics that indicates some people are genetically predisposed to criminal behavior. “One study has found that a mutation in the structural gene for monoamine oxidase which gives rise to an acute build-up of neurotransmitters associated with the body’s ‘fight or …show more content…
Hemphill et al., 1998 and Hare et al., 2000). Researchers have analyzed crimes and discovered those who suffer from posttraumatic disorder, psychosis, munchausen syndrome by proxy, schizophrenia and other mental disorders make up for about twenty percent of crimes committed. Marzuk says, "In the last decade, the evidence showing a link between violence, crime, and mental illness has mounted. It cannot be dismissed; it should not be ignored” (Eronen,1996). These mental disorders can lead to low self-esteem, isolation, embarrassment and hopelessness. These overwhelming emotions accompanied with their mental disorder can create a need of control within their life; when everything seems to be falling apart. This false sense of the need to control can lead one to commit crimes. For instance, if the individual suffering from mental illness, experienced a rough week where they were laid off from their long-term job and discovered their spouse was caring on an extra martial affair. These devastating unforeseen situations may force the individual into a depression and create the overwhelming feeling to take back control of their life in violent measures. Markku Eronen and colleagues studied the psychiatric evaluations of 693 Finnish murderers. Their data showed that "schizophrenia increases the odds ratio of homicidal violence by about 8- fold in men and