Nature And Nurture: What Causes Influence On Criminal Behavior

An explanation is about to be given on criminal behavior and what causes it. Many wonder what exactly causes such behavior, even though the answer is right in front of them. Simply stated behavior is influenced by nature and nurture. What is nature and nurture? Obviously, an explanation is going to be given. How can knowing what nature and nurture are help prove that actions are influenced by them? The answer to this question is simple. Studies on fraternal twins who were separated have been performed to prove just how people are influenced. The answer of course, being we are influenced by nature and nurture.

Nature is our DNA, or more simply said nature is our genes. Obviously, our genes influence more than just how we look. Our genes also influence how we think and act. For a moment we are going to return to the example of the criminal. The only explanation for natures influence on the criminal must be the criminal had genes specific to criminal activity. The genes of criminal intentions are known as monoamine oxidase. People who possess these genes may start acting in violent ways, or they may not. Genes do not act alone in directing people’s actions. As stated earlier they work hand in hand with nurture.

No one should expect for their actions not to be influenced by the environment they are raised in. Going back to the example of the criminal once more, his actions were motivated by the environment in which he was raised in. The criminal may have been maltreated as a child. This maltreatment lead to activation of the criminal’s monoamine oxidase gene. Had the criminal been treated well as a child the monoamine oxidase gene would have had a much lower chance of activating. Thus, the criminal’s actions were motivated by nature and nurture. If further proof is required a twin study can be taken into