My client who has been accused of; disturbing the peace, damage to public property, and resisting arrest cannot be held responsible for his actions. Due to biological factors which have been the direct cause of his anti-social and impulsive behavior. There is no scientific doubt that genes play quite a large role in anti-social behavior. “The question of whether there is a genetic basis is no longer interesting.” (Raine, 2008) The new question that has emerged is: How much do genes fuel anti-social behavior?
Having understood that genetics do play a part in the actions of an individual, solving the question of how much of it is in part of the biological makeup. There is clear evidence from studies that about 50% of the deviation of antisocial behavior is derived from genetics. The question has now been changed to “Which genes predispose to which kinds of antisocial behavior?” (Raine, 2008)
Answers on which genes affect anti-social behavior have started to emerge from genetic studies. In a study done on mice, if the MAOA gene (monoamine oxidase A), is neutralized the mice become extremely aggressive. If the gene is reactivated they return to their normal behavior. Studies on humans have also implied that the lack of the MAOA gene is responsible for anti-social behavior. The challenge now is to understand which genes affect this behavior.
Seven genes meet the criteria of being associated with anti-social behavior in humans. The genes that affect the brain structure are; MAOA, 5HTT, BDNF, NOTCH4, NCAM, tlx, and Pet-1-ETS. When these genes are affected, so is the brain structure which contributes the qualities of anti-socialism. That is, these gene deformities cause harm to the brain, and have the consequences of brain abnormali...
... middle of paper ...
...rofessional psychological help from a psychiatrist. The only way for them to improve themselves lawfully is to seek help, not to be imprisoned or fined for incidents they do not understand. We have to understand here, my client did not commit a felony, only a few misdemeanors, which he can understand on why they were wrong by seeking help. I rest my case.
Works Cited
Raine, A. (2008). From genes to brain to antisocial behavior. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17, 323-329.
Weaver, I.C.G., Meaney, M.J. & Szyf, M. (2006).Maternal care effects on the hippocampal transcriptome and anxiety-mediated behaviors in the offspring that are reversible in adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 103.
Raine, A. & Yang,Y. (2006). Neural foundations to moral reasoning and antisocial behavior. Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience.
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain shows qualities of a chivalrous knight. He demonstrates that by showing generosity, courtesy, and loyalty during his travels. A mysterious knight shows up at the king’s castle and calls himself the Green Knight. The Green Knight then challenges one to play a game which he challenges the king to strike him with his axe if he will take a return hit in a year and a day. Sir Gawain steps forward to accept the challenge for his uncle King Arthur when nobody else in the castle would. He took the King’s role in the game to protect him from the Green Knight. He must learn to accept his responsibility as a knight, in accepting his fate.He demonstrates goodness at the hand of the Green Knight. He shows courage by accepting what is to come upon him during his voyage. His journey to find the Green Knight is filled with temptations.In the conversation with him and the “Lady”, Sir Gawain showed a Chivalrous code by keeping his loyalty to the king by not kissing his wife. The lady states “if I should exchange at my cho...
In a the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain is faced with many challenges. Many of the challenges have to do with him trying to maintain his chivalry. Part of him maintaining his chivalry is to stay loyal; he should not give in to Lady Bertilak, who is constantly pursuing him, but should also listen to what she tells him to do. During Gawain 's stay at Bertilak’s castle, Lord Bertilak suggests they play a game in which they will have to exchange the winnings they gained that day. In the end, the story tells us that Lady Bertilak had been following the instructions her husband had given her to try to trick Gawain into not staying true to his word during the game they played. However, Lady Bertilak did many unnecessary and sexual
Sir Gawain has played a significant role in Arthurian legends since the Middle Ages. His first major appearance in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight depicts Gawain as a warrior rather than a womanizing knight like others from King Arthur's court. Even in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain focuses on his battle with the green knight rather than the advances of Bercilak's wife. During Gawain's visit to Bercilak's castle, his wife makes three specific advances to entice Gawain into an adulteress relationship. Although Gawain faces certain death with the Green Knight, he declines any sexual involvement with Bercilak's wife. Gawain's character remains faithful to his warrior image by rushing into battle with the green knight rather than prolonging his stay at Bercilak's castle.
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.
...& Snipes, J. (2010). Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior.Vold's theoretical criminology (6th Ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
...nd genetic findings are now unquestionable the evidence is too strong to ignore this new breakthrough has new implications towards crime prevention. The next decade will reveal new discoveries regarding specific genes that cause violent behaviour. These findings could result in new drugs being used to correct the neurotransmitter brain abnormalities that cause violence. (www.news.bbc.co.uk). The theories that Lombroso and Bowlby concluded in what makes a criminal still stand in the 21st century. Having looked at the case study above it can give an insight into criminals looking and acting alike, although they may not have all the characteristics of Lombroso’s theory, they do have some of the attributes as Lombroso suggests. In society today it is thought that children who are not close to their mothers do tend to go out and commit crimes (Williams, S, K 2008).
...R (2005). Evidence for substantial genetic risk for psychopathy in 7-year-olds. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 46(6), 592-597
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.
A porter sees Gawain out of the countryside and offers him a chance to break his pact, “I shall swear by God…not a soul will know that you fled in fear” (2122;2124-1225). Gawain, on an honorable journey refuses the porter’s suggestion. He locates the Green Chapel and awaits destiny. This exemplifies Gawain’s commitment to his word. He has faltered, but still carries out the deal. When Gawain is to receive the blow he flinches, unlike the Green Knight. Beauregard explains how Gawain does not show fortitude, part of the chivalric code when it is his turn to receive a blow (153). It is revealed to Gawain that Bertilak is the Green Knight and is aware of Gawain cheating the game. (2358-2361). The Green Knight tells Sir Gawain he is “by far the most faultless fellow on earth” for his motive was to protect himself (2363). Gawain asks the Green Knight to “clear his clouded name” (2388) and the Green Knight informs Gawain he is “as polished and as pure as the day you were born” (2393-2394). Gawain still heavy with shame wears the girdle as a badge of his failure. He fails in one aspect as he is only a man who carried out the deed and repented, and was absolved twice, for breaking his word. He is remorseful which proves he is conscious of the knight’s code. This allows him to maintain his chivalry. The court received him with joy and wore girdles as well as a sign of
6. Joseph, Jay. “Chapter 8: Is Crime in the Genes? A Critical Review of Twin and Adoption Studies of Criminal and Antisocial Behavior.” The Gene Illusion: Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology under the Microscope, Algora Pub., 2004, pp. 278–279.
Biosocial theory consists of a collection of perspectives that emphasize a multi-disciplinary approach to explain crime and antisocial behavior. These theories are backed by the assumption that human behavior is shaped by biological factors that interact with the environment, essentially, stressing the importance of both biological and environmental forces upon criminal behavior (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2015). Biosocial theories can be classified into three relevant approaches: evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and genetics (Lilly et al., 2015). Evolutionary psychology focuses on the identification of “psychological traits, as they relate to adaptations that contribute to survival, and are transmitted throughout generations” (Lilly et
Tuvblad, C., Grann, M., & Lichtenstein, P. (2006). Heritability for adolescent antisocial behaviour differs with socioeconomic status: Gene-environment interaction. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47, 734-743. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01552.x
Rosenberg, et al(2002). Juvenile Delinquency: A Sociological Approach. Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency, ( 5th ed, pp. 109)
There are various theories within the biological explanation as to why individuals commit criminal behaviour, these include: genetic theory, hereditary theory, psychosis and brain injury theory. In the next few paragraphs examples of each will be shown.
Criminality constitutes strategic mannerisms characterized by apathy to misery inflicted on others, egocentricity and depressed self-control. Habitual criminal behaviour seeks to satisfy the offender’s desires for material prestige, power or pleasurable feelings regardless to damage inflicted to victim or society. Such behaviors extend mistrust, fuel prejudice, and largely corrupt social cohesion. Biological, psychological and environmental attributes are thought to heavily influence antisocial and criminal behaviour. Numerous studies have proven that active emulation, genetic predispositions and psychosocial labeling are all complementary to development and expressions of criminal behaviour. There has historically been a myriad of theories that attempt to explain criminal behaviour through different perspectives, all which constitute intricate paradigms that play a role in expressio...