Nature vs Nurture: Genetics vs Environment

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The issue of whether or not criminal or aggressive behavior and violence is caused by biological or environmental factors has proven to be one that has caused a dispute for many years now. The biological or genetic factor of violent/criminal or aggressive behavior is certainly a much talked about topic. The idea that certain individuals could be predisposed to violence is something definitely deserving of doing research about. The nature vs. nurture topic has been a continuing debate for many aspects of human behavior, including aggression/violent behavior and criminal behavior. There have been many studies indicating that chemical relationships between hormones and the frontal lobe of the brain may play a key role in determining aggressive behavior as well as genetics, while other studies have explored environmental and social factors that have been said to control patterns in human aggression. Aggressive/violent behavior can’t be answered directly if it is caused by either nature or nurture; instead it is believed that both cause it. The nature vs. nurture debate: the nature side, are those such as biologists, psychologists and others in the natural sciences, argue that behavioral traits can be explained by genetics. Those taking the nurture side are sociologists and others in the social sciences, they argue that human behavior is learned and shaped through social interaction. This argument should be dismissed because you don’t have to look far to see that both genetics and our environment, plays a role in who we are and our behaviors. (Glass). The point is there is a complex relationship between nature and nurture, either one alone is insufficient to explain what makes us human. (Colt). Our heredity gives us a basic potential,... ... middle of paper ... ...ture and nurture theories can't be right or that someday, researchers will find the answer. Works Cited Bower, B. "Criminal Destiny: Nature Meets Nurture." Science News 125.22 (1984): 342. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011. Colt, George HoweHollister, Anne. "Were You Born That Way? (Cover Story)." Life 21.4 (1998): 38. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011. Glass, Julia. "Nature Vs. Nurture." Parenting 13.10 (1999): 156. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011. Herbert, Wray. "Politics Of Biology. (Cover Story)." U.S. News & World Report 122.15 (1997): 72. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011. Will, George F. "The Nature Of Human Nature." Newsweek (Pacific Edition) 140.8 (2002): 9. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011. Yong, Ed. "Dangerous DNA: Warrior Genes Made Me Do It." New Scientist 205.2755 (2010): 34. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011.

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