Genetic research on behaviour genetics and molecular genetics are methods and analytical procedures that have enormous influence on the biological factors. For molecular genetics, studies have shown that a person’s tendency to commit a crime is linked to monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), which is also known as “the warrior gene”. The MAOA gene appears to prevent antisocial behaviour in humans (Kim-Cohen et al., 2006). Aggression and violence are often linked to the low activity form of this gene, abbreviated as MAMO-L (McDermott, Tingley, Cowden, Frazzetto, & Johnson, 2009). This results in people reacting more impulsively and violently in response to provocation, especially in youngsters after experiencing hardship in their childhood. According …show more content…
The womb is a complicated place. While in utero, mothers are highly responsible for the nourishment and safety of the fetus, which can influence both the development of the child and long-term behaviour, leading to potential risks for serious antisocial behaviors later in life. Studies have shown that fetuses exposed to toxic or diseased prenatal environment such as opiates, a drug derived from opium, during pregnancy will tend to be at a higher risk for conduct issues in their teenage years (Dodge & Pettit, 2003, p. 351). Exposure to alcohol in the prenatal stages can also result to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which is a serious medical condition (Brown, Connor, & Adler, 2012). It results in youth having a high rate of self-regulation problems, antisocial behavior, and conduct disorders (Brown et al., 2012). This increases the chances of being inclined to criminal behaviour and committing crimes. Studies have also suggests that smoking during pregnancy may contribute to brain deficits and later conduct disorder (Raine, 2002). Alcohol, smoking or even taking drugs will have negative effects on the fetus, due to the bad influence exposed even before birth which will lead to brain disorders and violent …show more content…
Being liked and accepted by peer groups play a major role in development, generally leading to healthy psychological and social development (Rubin, Bukowski, & Parker, 1998). Studies have shown that development of antisocial behaviour in in adolescence is early rejection by peer groups. Children tend to be an outcast when aggressiveness is shown towards their peersm, which creates poor peer relationship and forming groups with others who share similar behaviours or to participate in deviant peer groups that then increases the tendency to become more deviant and antisocial. This will most likely continue into adolescence and even further into adulthood. This results in an increased chance for individuals seek out greater contact with similar outcasted peers, which encourages and amplifies the exsisting antisocial tendencies, inclining towards criminal and violent behaviours (Holmes et al., 2001). As noted by Coie (2004), “The impact of deviant peer group influences on the crystallization of an antisocial developmental trajectory [emphasis added] has been solidly documented” (p.
Drug and alcohol use in pregnancy poses a threat to the neonate’s development and the obstetric provider has an obligation to screen for substance use. Substance use in pregnancy can place the developing fetus at risk for in-utero opioid dependence, fetal-alcohol syndrome, preterm labor, and other consequences of maternal alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use.(6) Within the past three years La Crosse County has seen a marked increase in the amount of heroin use.(7)
Silverthorn, P., & Frick, P.J. (1999). Developmental pathways to antisocial behavior: the delayed-onset pathway in girls . Development and Psychopathology, 11, 101-126.
Moffitt, Terrie E. 1993. “Adolescence-Limited and Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior: A Developmental Taxonomy.” Psychological Review 100:674–701.
Nature vs. nurture has been one of the oldest and most debated topics among psychologists over the years. This concept discusses whether a child is born into this world with their developmental work cut out for them or if a child is a “blank slate” and their experiences are what shape them into who they are. Over the years and plenty of research, psychologists have all mostly come to agree that it’s a little bit of both. Children are both born with some genetic predispositions while other aspects of the child’s development are strongly influenced by their surrounding environment. This plays into the criminal justice system when discussing where criminal behavior stems from. Is a criminal’s anti-social behavior just part of their DNA or is it a result of their upbringing? The answer to this question is not definite. Looking at research a strong argument can be made that criminals developed their anti-social patterns through the atmosphere in which they were raise, not their DNA.
Women who are pregnant, but drink moderate amounts of alcohol still pose many dangerous threats to their unborn child. A fetal alcohol effect is one of them, with slight deformities, mental retardation, and learning disabilities. Fetal alcohol effected children not only have physical differences from normal children, but also suffer with psychiatric problems and at more apt to get in trouble with the law. Pregnant women who drink not only run the risk of having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome, but of having a child with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder occurs when children have prenatal exposure to alcohol. These babies have cognitive and behavioral problems that are alcohol-related, without the severe facial or growth deformities babies with fetal alcohol syndrome have. Pregnant women who drink expose their baby to teratogen ethanol- the active ingredient in alcohol. The fetus exposure is longer and more intense compared to the mother who is able to metabolize the teratogen ethanol.
It is also crucial to consider the genetic makeup of these killers when trying to decipher their motives. New research shows a potential link between a strand of genes and aggression and violence (Bradley-Hagerty). The MAO-A gene or (monoamine oxidase A) has been researched extensively. The gene is often referred to as the “warrior gene” (Bradley-Hagerty). The function of this gene is to regulate serotonin in the brain. However, there are different variations of the gene, one of which is believed to prevent the brain from feeling the relaxing effects of the serotonin (Bradley- Hagerty). Without these calming effects, the person with this version of the gene is genetically predisposed to fits of rage; fits of rage that could potentially lead to murder over and over again.
For a long time, psychologists have been debating the theories of nature vs. nurture. Psychologist often discussed whether genetics or environment affects a person’s behavior. Theorists believe that not only does genetics affects a person’s behavior, but the environment also plays a role. Although many theorists believe either environment or genetics affect a mind of a serial killer, in fact, both environment and genetics affect a mind of a serial killer because genetics affect behavioral disorders while environment affects social disorders and both disorders can create violent behaviors.
“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!” A child has most likely heard that phrase at some point in their life. Although, it is not ethical or legal for a mother to “take her kid out of this world”, it does bring up a good point that it was through her body, that the child was born. One of the most important responsibilities in this world is a mother carrying a child in the womb. There are many divine processes that take place during gestation, but there are also many contributing factors from the mother that can affect the developing human. These factors may include what a woman ingests and exposes her embryo or fetus to. Sadly, alcohol use during pregnancy is an ongoing problem that can have detrimental affects on the fetus, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Choosing to drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy is a choice, a risky choice. Unfortunately some women don’t even know they are making a risky choice by consuming alcohol because it is in the early stages of pregnancy. It is common for a female to not find out they are pregnant until at least the fifth or sixth week after fertilization. In 2006, 49% of all pregnancies in the United States were reported unintended on a national survey.1 The highest rate of preventable birth defects and mental retardation is due to alcohol use.2 In this paper, I will further discuss FAS, the potential effects of binge drinking during the embryonic stage of gestation, and what actions need to be taken in order to reduce the incidences of alcohol related birth defects.
Nature versus nurture has been argued in attempt to understand how criminals behave. The theory of what influences psychopath and serial killers’ violent and destructive pathways has not been agreed on till this day. Criminals such as psychopaths and serial killers have been researched for the past two decades. Scientists have found that genetics is a determining factor of who becomes a serial killer. It is important to understand the determinants involved within a serial killer, because if these social and environmental causes are discovered, they can be altered and controlled to reduce crime (Lykken, 1993). With more studies, we would therefore prevent mass murders and could assist in significant reductions of crime within society.
Not only can smoking cause considerable damage to the unborn baby, but it could affect the baby later in life. Smoking increases the chances of the baby having birth defects. For example, the child might develop severe brain damage. The baby also might be considerably light in weight. All these outcomes are extremely negative and can cause guilt.
The addicted individuals need to be aware of the services that are available for them and their children during and after their addictive stages. The abuse that some of these children endure can start at the earliest stages of their lives. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome begins to effect the child while it is still in its mother’s womb. This disease not only effects the child physically, but emotionally and intellectually. Many parents continue to abuse substances while they are knowingly pregnant.
These harmful choices that mothers make frequently can result in many long-term effects that will stay with their children for the rest of their life. One of the most well-known negative choices made by pregnant women is drinking throughout their pregnancy. As mothers expose their children to alcohol prenatally, it can result in lifelong mental and physiological effects that the child will
In this article the two authors research the connection between genetic factors and criminal behavior. They look at the causes that make someone act in a criminal way. There are several factors looked at in connection to the cause such as social factors and environmental variables. The social factors being the more examined of the two. They hypothesized that other factors in performance or alone with environmental variables would lead to better understanding of why some people become criminal. The genetic factor of influence due to mental disorders was posed to have a slight role in affecting people to show criminal behavior. Another cause looked at was the combination of genetic and environmental factors, with a possible result of having a higher risk for criminal behavior.
Theories that are based on biological Factors and criminal behavior have always been slightly ludicrous to me. Biological theories place an excessive emphasis on the idea that individuals are “born badly” with little regard to the many other factors that play a part in this behavior. Criminal behavior may be learned throughout one’s life, but there is not sufficient evidence that proves crime is an inherited trait. In the Born to Be Bad article, Lanier describes the early belief of biological theories as distinctive predispositions that under particular conditions will cause an individual to commit criminal acts. (Lanier, p. 92) Biological criminologists are expected to study the “criminal” rather than the act itself. This goes as far as studying physical features, such as body type, eyes, and the shape or size of one’s head. “Since criminals were less developed, Lombroso felt they could be identified by physical stigmata, or visible physical abnormalities…characteristics as asymmetry of the face; supernumerary nipples, toes, or fingers; enormous jaws; handle-shaped or sensible ears; insensibility to pain; acute sight; and so on.” (Lanier. P. 94). It baffles me that physical features were ever considered a reliable explanation to criminal behavior. To compare one’s features to criminal behavior is not only stereotypical, but also highly unreliable.
The forecast of such behavior includes cognitive functioning, socioeconomic status, and depression factors with the history of anti-social behavior, social achievement, and social involvement. It’s a mix of factors regarding the individual concerns of failure, failure to meet society’s expectation and of society to provide for the individual, failure of the individual to stay out of trouble, failure to be arrest free and disappointment of a failed rehabilitation process and the continuation of a criminal