nature vs nurture: are criminals born?

Question 1

Nature?

Answer 1

while we recognise genetic influences on physical characteristics shared between family members, to what extent might our genetics shape behavioural patterns and more specifically, what role could genetic factors play in understanding criminal behaviour

Question 2

a study of newborns

Answer 2

female infants spent more time looking at a social object but males stared more at physical objects, at this age sex differences are consistent with a biological cause

Question 3

sheldon’s somatotypes

Answer 3

endomorph(plus sized) mesomorph (athletic) ectomorph(flat physique) most offenders tended towards mesomorphy and because the youths came from parents who were offenders, the factors that produce criminal behaviour are inherited.

Question 4

some issues

Answer 4

the comparison between criminals and non criminals is misleading, failure to recognise the wide range of environmental factors as a cause of crime

Question 5

nurture

Answer 5

differences that emerge later in life are the result of differential exposure to environmental factors

Question 6

social learning theories

Answer 6

suggests that humans learn through social interactions and tend to mimic the behaviours of others. differential association theory- criminal acts are learned in interactions with our intimiate personal groups

Question 7

environmental factors

Answer 7

Individuals are prone to criminal behaviour if they frequently interact with others who condone such conduct, as opposed to associating with law-abiding individuals who denounce crime. social institutions are capable of nurturing or reducing criminality

Question 8

conclusion

Answer 8

both genetics and environment play a part in the formation of any behavioural traits; both nature and nurture are important to eventual behaviour.