Genetics And Environment Affects A Mind Of A Serial Killer Essay

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Genetics and Environment Effects on a Serial Killer’s Mind For a long time, psychologists have been debating the theories of nature vs. nurture. Psychologist often discussed whether genetics or environment affects a person’s behavior. Theorists believe that not only does genetics affects a person’s behavior, but the environment also plays a role. Although many theorists believe either environment or genetics affect a mind of a serial killer, in fact, both environment and genetics affect a mind of a serial killer because genetics affect behavioral disorders while environment affects social disorders and both disorders can create violent behaviors. Effects of Genetics on a Mind of a Serial Killer Author John E. Douglas (a well-known criminal profiler), stated “that serial killers are psychopaths who suffer from chronic mental disorders coupled with violent …show more content…

nurture? Perhaps, a mind of a serial killer is created by genetic factors, fueled by environment and ignited by a factor that sets serial killers in the mood to commit murder. Gene-environment suggests that two parts of addiction: initiation (environment) and maintenance (genetics) (Thombs & Osborn, 2013, p. 36). This theory extends beyond addiction but also applies in any behavioral and criminal deviance disorders. Genetics and environment are the key components in creating a serial killer. The serial killer first has the genetic components to cause certain behavioral and social disorders and environment components fuels the genetic components. In other words, environment plays a pivotal role in creating a serial killer bringing those disorders to a dangerous level. John E. Douglas stated, “All of them have had a terrible childhood of abuse or neglect” (Baer, 1991, para. 11). By way of example, environment affects an individual

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