The Real Cause of Criminal Behavior

              Is criminal behavior a product of nature or nurture? Psychologists have always been wondering about this. Criminal behavior involves all of those actions that infringe both religious and moral standards and beliefs. This kind of behavior brings its consequences. It is supposed to be punishable by law. The penalties are a life in prison or even worse, death. To be frank, I think that criminal behavior is an effect from the surrounding environment. People are not born with it. They gain it throughout their lives, especially during their childhood years. There are many that undergo a lot of pain, abuse, and sorrow when being kids. Not everyone has the strength or might to stand these things physically or mentally. This is why small innocent children who experience these kinds of tragedies end up committing severe crimes.

              Certainly, there is proof that people are sometimes born as criminals in some cases. Many psychological problems such as personality traits and disorders can be inherited from one generation to another. This includes criminal behavior. Many researchers throughout the early twentieth century believed that genes were the ones to blame for the existence of criminals in society. Twin, family, and adoption studies have come to this conclusion, too. Supposedly, criminality can be heritable for up to a 54%. Many identical twins have proven to share the same levels of criminality in their genes. Having biological criminal parents increases the chances of being a criminal, as well. For sure, criminal behavior can come within the genes of a person.

              On the other hand, others become criminals throughout their lives because of their surroundings. According to many researchers, family and peers are some environmental causes for criminal behavior. The Family environment is what shapes the conduct of people. There are many who are not fortunate of having a normal caring family. There is a 50% possibility that children can become criminals if they are abused. Criminality can also be the result of weak relationships and communication within a family. Poverty and education are some other factors that influence the development of children throughout the years. If a child sees aggressive or violent behavior between parents or siblings, he or she will demonstrate this kind of behavior when growing up. Peers can also influence the way a child acts. If a child demonstrates aggressive behavior towards his or her peers, there is a great possibility that he or she will be left out of the group, as an outcast. This same antisocial criminal behavior will arise from the child as an adult. It is all about the environment an individual lives in.

            At the end, criminal behavior is caused by both the genes and the environment. An individual’s personality and its surroundings can get to influence how an individual acts. Some people are born with criminal genes within themselves. Others live in an instable environment full of negative factors such as violence and poverty. Still, there can be the chance of avoiding this. People can be treated or given a better life. In conclusion, criminal behavior is a challenge to live with in society nowadays.

WORKS CITED:


Jones, Caitlin M. “Genetic and Environmental Influences on Criminal Behavior.” http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/jones.html . September 9, 2010.

“Forensic & Criminal Psychology.” http://www.psychologycampus.com/forensic-criminal/  . September 9, 2010.