RP Outcome: Nature vs Nurture

to what extent are violent behaviors
and by extension criminal behaviors
present in our society a result of

nature or nurture?

Violence & Crime

a result of Nature or Nurture?

To what extent are violent behaviors and by ex- genetic or hormonal based behaviors (GoodTher-
tension criminal behaviors present in our society apy,2015) ranging from our physical appearance
a result of nature or nurture? It is a question that to our personality characteristics (Cherry,2017).
has been debated throughout the ages and one that Whereas nurture is most commonly defined as
continues to challenge psychologists, scientists, environment and experiences (GoodTherapy,2015)
biologists, geneticists and our society. Are our and refers to all the environmental variables that
genes and biology responsible for this behavior or impact who we are, including our early childhood
is it our upbringing? Or perhaps a combination of experiences, (Strickland, 2017) how we were raised,
multiple factors? our social relationships, and our surrounding cul-
ture (Cherry,2017). Before we can hope to answer
the question we must first understand the concept
Nature vs Nurture, what is it all about? of Nature Vs Nurture and have an in depth under-

The nature vs nurture debate refers to the scientific, standing of the components of each argument.

cultural and philosophical debate (Cherry,2017),
regarding whether human culture, behavior and
personality are caused primarily by nature or nur-
ture (GoodTherapy,2015). Nature is said to include

The Nature Argument

The nature argument holds the belief that our childhood and negative family dynamic, it may
behaviors such as violence and criminality (Good- lead to an increased likelihood of violent behaviors
Therapy,2015) are determined by the coding of our (Landau, 2011).
genes and biology. (Benyamin and Costello,2015)
The coding of genes in each cell in us humans Furthermore, adoption studies have shown that
determines the different traits that we have, phys- children from parents with a genetic disposition
ical attributes like eye color, hair color, ear size, to antisocial behavior have an increased risk in
and height (Landau, 2011) but do they also code developing conduct disorders, (Landau, 2011)
for our behaviors, personality and do certain genes even when they are raised in a completely different
increase determine if one will become violent? environment than the one their biological parents
would provide (Benyamin and Costello,2015).
The nature argument is founded on the idea of However, like all studies particularly ones that are
heritability. “Heritability refers to the origins partially psychological or sociological in nature
of differences between people.” (Benyamin and twin and adoption studies have their limits. (Ben-
Costello,2015) It is important to understand that yamin and Costello,2015) For example, the studies
heritability only refers to the degree of genetic vari- are usually limited to the range of environments
ation between people on a trait (Strickland, 2017). and genes which they sample. (Pinker,2002) Al-
It does not refer to the degree to which a trait of most all of these studies are conducted in Western,
a particular individual is due to environmental or first-world countries, (Pinker,2002) and therefore
genetic factors. (Cherry,2017) The traits of an indi- cannot be generalized and applied on a global scale
vidual are always a complex interweaving of both as they don’t take into consideration differing cul-
(Pinker,2002) tures or religions or the effects of poverty and war
have on populations. Additionally, as the individ-
Several genes are hypothesized to have an influ- uals in the adoption studies haven’t been observed
ence on the development of antisocial, aggressive continuously over the course of their lives and
and violent behaviors (Benyamin and Costel- because their behavior prior to adoption wasn’t
lo,2015). There has been gradual and slow pro- recorded or analyzed (Pinker,2002) the extraneous
gress in identifying these genes (Strickland, 2017) variables are uncontrolled, meaning that we likely
however it seems that certain serotonin pathway won’t be able to isolate the cause of any changes in
genes may be associated with impulsive antiso- behavior or the causes for the behavior in the first
cial, aggressive and violent behavior. (Benyamin place, also as the behavior prior to adoption wasn’t
and Costello,2015) one fairly new gene being recorded (Sincero,2014) we are unable to see the
researched is Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) effect that the adoption had on their behaviors and
(Strickland, 2017) This gene is an enzyme which personality.
breaks down and releases energy in brain neu-
rotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine Based on the research it appears that genetic in-
(GoodTherapy,2015). The theory behind the gene fluence on the development of antisocial behavior
is that people with lower levels of the enzyme have and conduct disorders should not be underesti-
lower levels of mood regulating hormones in their mated (The Indian Express, 2016) and it likely does
brain (Landau, 2011) therefore increasing one’s contribute to the chance of an individual being
chance of experiencing negative emotions (Malley, violent or engaging in criminal activity. (Benyamin
2016) as well as decreasing one’s ability to deal with and Costello,2015) Despite the data its not known
stressful situations appropriately resulting in an whether or not a specific gene or a group of genes
often aggressive reaction to a situation. (Strickland, is fully responsible for violent behaviors (Benyam-
2017) While this gene won’t cause criminal or vio- in and Costello,2015).
lent behavior if paired with negative environmental
factors such as abusive relationships throughout

The Nurture Argument

The nurture theory implies that genetic influence over to reducing the stress and distress for many people of
abstract traits such as violence and aggression may ex- this process and thus nurture has a role to play both
ist; (Coyne, Wright,2013) however, the environmental positively and negatively in whether young people
factors are the real origins of our behavior. (Coyne, grow in positive ways without violence. (Kettler, 2017)
Wright,2013) This includes the use of conditioning
(operant and classical) (The Indian Express, 2016) in Kettler also suggests that if an individual suffers trau-
order to induce a new behavior to a child, or alter an ma as a result of their environment that one’s health,
unwanted behavior being shown by the child (Since- intellectual abilities, the duration of the trauma and its
ro,2014) nature, are all aspects of the nature of trauma that can
contribute to whether a person is more or less likely
Since the definition of “nature” in this context is tied to develop violent behaviors as a result of the trauma.
to “heritability” (The Indian Express, 2016), the defi- (Kettler, 2017) Trauma, inflicted naturally or other-
nition of “nurture” has necessarily become very wide, wise, can actually change the structure of the brain,
including any type of causation that is not heritable making some behavioral choices harder to reach or
(Sincero,2014). perform. How much and how often the flight/fight/
freeze response is triggered for person (a biological re-
Research indicate that one’s upbringing and social sponse) can influence the likelihood of violent behav-
environment are direct contributors to an individual’s ior emerging, but this is also moderated by the current
criminogenic needs these needs then lead to criminal relationships they are in, the role models around them
behaviors. (The Indian Express, 2016). This indicates and the support provided to help deal with triggering
that our experiences growing up posses he capability events and experiences. Concluding that the behavior
to shape our view of the external world (Malley, 2016) of others can contribute just as much to whether a
and have a direct impact on our ability to make ra- stress response turns violent. (Kettler, 2017)
tional decisions, this theory is known as criminogenic
need theory (Malley, 2016). Many other experts feel that if individuals who are
victims of violence or who have been witness to
An example of the criminogenic needs theory is such acts are more likely to have anti-social and
found in criminal peers (Sincero,2014). These peers violent tendencies as adolesces and adults. (Coyne,
are individuals that tend to coerce or either conscious- Wright,2013) “The impact on personality would
ly or unconsciously impact the decision making of of depend on overall environment and positive expe-
others (Zolfagharifard, 2014). “It is reasonable to sup- riences and the resolution of past experiences, but
pose that adolescents can be influenced by peers who statistically, this statement would be correct that there
are not actually present during a delinquent event” would be more chances of aggressive tendencies in
(Zolfagharifard, 2014) (including occasions when an the absence of support and intervention,” (Guy, 2016)
offender acts alone) It has been observed that most of Also according to Dr Shobhana Mittal, consultant
the time a young adult will chose to participate in de- psychiatrist at Cosmos Institute of Mental Health and
linquent, violent or criminal behavior in an attempt to Behavioural Sciences in New Delhi. “The child’s initial
fit in with their peers or social group (Zolfagharifard, behaviors and learning are molded through parenting
2014) however if they aren’t exposed to this situation and family interaction. The temperament with which
they are less likely to engage in such behavior (Or- the child is born along with parenting behavior styles
fano, 2010). In fact crime statistics appear to indicate influence one another,” (Guy, 2016)
that communities who’s population lack stable family
factors seem to have a higher rate of crime particular-
ly violent crime. (Orfano, 2010).

According to Lisa Kettler a clinical psychologist fo-
cusing in school, adolescent and development psy-
chology Supportive environments can go a long way

The answer is both

So what actually causes an individual to become and our understanding of human behavior, in fact
violent or engage in criminal behavior? Is it our ge- many believe it could be considered harmful (NSW
netic makeup or the environment in which we live? Government, 2017). Trying to separate out nature
(Zolfagharifard, 2014) Actually it is now believed to be and nurture as explanations for behavior, as in classic
a combination of both. (Coyne, Wright,2013) genetic studies of twins and families, is now said to be
both impossible and unproductive (NSW Government,
It is now widely accepted in the scientific community 2017), the nature-nurture debate has been declared
that hereditary factors and the environment do not act to be redundant by social scientists and scientists
independently but are dependent on one another (Mal- (McLeod, 2007), and thought of as ‘outdated, naive
ley, 2016). It would seem that both nature and nur- and unhelpful’ (Levitt, 2013) . The danger of dividing
ture are essential for all behavior (Orfano, 2010) and individuals and their behaviors into boxes particularly
currently it isn’t possible to differentiate if a particular regarding the nature side of the debate is that bio-
behavior is genetic and another is environmental (Lev- logical explanations will be once more ‘employed for
itt, 2013). It is practically impossible for us to separate political purposes to explain away the social roots of
the two influences, (Le Roux, 2016), it is also illogical health inequalities.’ (NSW Government, 2017) Social
considering that nature and nurture don’t operate scientists and criminologists have suggested the bio-
separately but instead operate and interact with one logical/genetic explanation of behavior as dangerous
another in a complex manner (Hinsliff, 2003). and harmful in terms of their potential effect on the
individuals, their families or groups that have been
Hundreds of studies surrounding the topic of criminal identified as genetically at risk (McLeod, 2007). The
behavior and violence have shown that approximately fear is that there will be cases of discrimination against
half of crime is on some level controlled by genetics these groups and individuals and that there would be
(Orfano, 2010). This also infers that environmental stigmatization of already vulnerable groups (Levitt,
and social factors such as parenting styles (McCawley, 2013) i.e. Problem families, foster care children or
2002), experiencing or witnessing trauma or abuse minority groups. Discriminating would likely impact
(Romer, 2012), poverty, unemployment and discrimi- education, employment and family and social life caus-
nation account for the other half (Levitt, 2013). ing further harm. (Levitt, 2013)

Discrimination could affect education, employment
It has been recently theorized that while genes aren’t and family life (NSW Government, 2017). The effect
entirely reasonable for violent or criminal behaviors, of an individual being told s/he has a risk based on
(Mauro, 2009) there are certain traits individuals may a genetic test has been much discussed in relation to
posses as either a result of genetics (Le Roux, 2016), health risks. (Levitt, 2013) While such information
environment or a mixture of both that can increase could be motivating, because it is personalized, it can
the likelihood of an individual exhibiting these be- also induce an attitude that discourages the person
haviors (Romer, 2012). For example, traits such as from taking preventative measures as they believe the
hyperactivity (Jones, 2008) , low impulse control result of the test is inevitable and uncontrollable as it is
and trouble controlling anger while not necessarily a genetic. (Levitt, 2013)
cause of anti-social behaviors may make it harder for
individuals to control their behaviors. (Mauro, 2009) In conclusion, it would appear there is no one true
According to kettler this is seen most commonly in cause of violent and criminal behaviors in our society
adolescent males. Rapid increases in hormonal levels meaning that both nature and nurture are correct on
in the human body and testosterone especially can some level. Theories of genetic influences on violent
make it extremely difficult for individuals (particularly and criminal behaviors are reliable, however they
men) (Hinsliff, 2003) to regulate and control feelings aren’t the cause of such behaviors. Ones environment,
of anger which in some cases can lead to aggression. upbringing, peer group and individual needs play a
(McCawley, 2002) significant part in discovering the underlying motives
and causes of criminal and violent behaviors. It would
also seem that due to the nature of the debate there
There has been much debate between academics and will never be a definitive irrefutable answer as to why
researchers over recent years as to whether or not the people engage in such behaviors.
nature vs nurture debate is even beneficial to society

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Lisa Kettler, 2017, interviewed by Hayley Scott, 17 march