Question

Does Nature or Nurture Breed Criminal Behavior?

Must have two sources in APA format. At least 300 words.

Must have a quote.

Answer 1

• “You inherit your environment just as much as your genes.” ? Johnny Rich
• A combination of both biological and social factors combined mold people into who they are and determines the mindset of one that chooses to engage in criminal behavior.Social environment is molding behavior based on a set of morals, values and beliefs that are instilled in individuals during early childhood. These morals, values and beliefs form a system that facilitates decision making throughout the course of an individuals’ life.
• 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. In other words, our experiences growing up as a child have the capability to shape our view of the world, and have a direct impact on one’s ability to make rational decisions. What may appear to be a rational decision to one individual could be considered completely irrational by another.
• One of the best examples of a criminogenic need that ties into the social learning environment would be criminal peers. Such peers are those individuals that tend to coerce or indirectly effect the decision making of another.Oftentimes, a young adult will elect to participate in delinquent behavior simply to “fit in” with their peers. If that involves engaging in criminal activity, then so be it.
• Other factors that can be directly linked to the social environment would include child abuse, domestic violence and exposure to emotional harm. Research into the impact of childhood abuse and neglect on violent behavior of adults who became serial killers concluded that adults who had been physically, sexually, and emotionally abused as children were three times more likely than were non-abused adults to act violently as adults.
• A lack of positive developmental traits is directly connected with behavior as children drift from adolescence on to adulthood. When individuals with conduct disorder reach adulthood, symptoms of aggression, property destruction, deceitfulness, and rule violation, including violence against co-workers, partners, and children, may be exhibited in the workplace and the home, such that antisocial personality disorder may be considered.
• Biological factors are often the starting point for understanding criminal behavior.Some genes are expressed or turned on (or not) because of physical, social, and cultural factors in the environment; and some genes,for example, those that influence difficult temperament, impulsivity, novelty seeking, and lack of empathy,predispose people to be exposed to environmental risks.
• Once born, children learn from their parents and their environment. An example of this would include a child that has been raised in a home where aggression and violence is common. That child has a much higher probability to be impulsive, and may have difficulty expressing emotions in what would be considered a positive manner.
• Addiction is also an excellent example of a genetic or biological trait that is passed on through generations and has been identified as hereditary. While it is possible for a child to be born with an addiction to illegal substances, many times, an individual is exposed to such a substance later in life and finds them self easily addicted.
• It is possible that they carried a gene that would predispose them to an addictive personality, and once exposed to a situation, they were easily led to criminal thinking and potentially deviant behavior.
• Just as many research projects have taken an even deeper look and claim that while social skills and the environment do play a major role, the fact remains that the environment is a doorway to unlocking genetic traits that are instilled in people from conception.
• While the social landscape is vital in raising a child with proper morals, values and a positive belief system, it is not the only contributing factor in the causation of criminal activity within an individual.  
• It is a combination of both biological factors in addition to our social environment that molds each of us into who are today.