Psychology: Nature Vs Nurture predisposition to violent behavior
The researcher hypothesizes that both the variation in genes and the environment in which people are nurtured affects their tendency towards violent crime. Monoamine Oxidase (MAOA), serotonin Transporter Repeat Length polymorphism (5HTTLPR), Variable Number of tandem repeats (uVNTR) and Dopamine Transporter (DAT) alone or in combination are associated with violent criminality in imprisoned subjects (Neuropsychopharmacology, 2007). The researchers also hypothesized that MAOA genotype exerts its effects on violent or antisocial behavior following childhood maltreatment. The study found that the effects of adverse childhood and those of the MAOA genotype are independent in the tendency of individuals towards violent crime (Neuropsychopharmacology, 2007). The study also concluded that high adversity during childhood is associated with violent behavior. The study also found complex interactions between genetic variation of the serotonergic circuitry and the conflicting.
Do you agree with their results?
I agree with the findings of the study. My agreement with the results stems from the fact that the study was based on diversified hypothesis, utilized substantial sources of data and applied credible methods of statistical analysis to come up with the findings. Moreover, the societies within which people grow are laden with cultures and beliefs against evils such as drug abuse. Some of the methods used to determine if violent behavior is a function of nature or nurture includes forensic assessments of a given population and investigations into the past life of people with the tendencies. These methods allow the researchers to obtain a diversified response as to why people behave violently. This means that nature and nurture share in the tendencies people take up.
Violent behavior: a function of nature or nurture?
The results do indicate clearly that violent crime results more from nurture rather than from nature. This is because, the effects childhood environments were shown to play a more central role in the tendency of individuals towards violent crime as compared to the genetic make-up of individuals (Magnavita, 2012). Out of the 184 subjects undergoing forensic assessment, 72 had a history of recurrent violent behavior (Neuropsychopharmacology, 2007).
Moreover, issues to do with nurturing such as drug abuse were found to contribute to the tendency of individuals towards violent behavior. 54.2% of individuals with a history of drug abuse were more violent compared with 37.5% of those without a history of drug abuse (Neuropsychopharmacology (2007). Personality disorders were also responsible for the tendency of individuals towards violent crime. 43% of individuals showing violent behavior had personality disorders. Genotypic substances such as DAT did not influence violent behavior and was not associated with MAOA, while there was no independent association of 5HTTLPR genotypes with violent behavior. The short alleles of MAOA were associated with violent behavior while a strong interaction of polymorphism with childhood environmental risk factors was reported. These results indicate that violent crime results more from nurture as opposed to the nature or genetic make-up of individuals.
Effects of this study on personal opinions
The results of this study challenged and changed my opinions on the nature versus nurture as they relate to behavior. The environment in which people grow up is bound to influence their perceptions towards certain behaviors due to morality and culture connotations. I find it surprising that people could be naturally violent due to genetic make-up. I now know that some people could be violent as a result of their genetic make-up and not because they were exposed to adverse environments at childhood such as drug abuse. Moreover the study enhanced my understanding of the different types of violent crime such as impulsivity and aggression and the likely causes of each. This understanding is crucial in the enhancement of personal safety as well as helping those with violent crime problems to seek medical help.
Magnavita, J. (2012). Theories of Personality. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Neuropsychopharmacology (2007) Nature and Nurture Predispose to Violent Behavior:
Serotonergic Genes and Adverse Childhood Environment. Nature Publishing Group 32,
2375–2383
