Nature vs. Nurture

[mh874892]

I am doing a research paper about criminal defenses and an underlying issue that keeps popping up is the nature vs. nurture debate. One side tries to blame their behaviors on a bad upbringing, lack of parenting, poor social life, etc. Others claim that they were doomed from the beginning because of genetics attributing to poor IQ, negative personality traits, predisposition to violence, etc.

Personally, I think it has to be a combination of the two. But, one has to take responsibility for their actions and in no way blame nature or nurture for their current situation. Opinions?

[mawhite63]

When it comes to criminal issues, my opinion leans towards nurture. While I believe in genetics and know that it plays a large part towards personalities, abilities and preferences, to cross a line to socially unacceptable behaviors isn't something that can be inherited.

[vicogden]

I agree wth your original post mh--it is a combination of the two.  There are documented cases where criminal and sociopaths have suffered brain damage that caused some of their erroneous behavior.  In this case, I guess it would have to be categorized as nature; at least from the standpoint of the brain being a natural part of human existence.  However, studies also show that your environment growing up, including behaviors of your parents and others wth a part in your upbringning (nurturing aspects of a person's existence) have an obvious impact on criminal behavior later in life.  Both nature and nurture can play a key role in criminal activities.