The
Nature vs. nurture philosophy has been explored for hundreds of years and we
are still no closer to knowing exactly what drives people’s behavior. How much does biology or nature affect our
behavior as compared to nurture or the way we are raised? I think it is safe to say that both play
active roles in how we behave. How much
of our behavior is genetic and how much is learned? As stated in the Gale Encyclopedia of
Psychology, ”The genetic foundations of behavior are much more difficult to
identify. Scientists continue to study how much of personality and cognition,
or thinking and reasoning ability, are linked to the X or Y chromosomes.” (Longe, pg 797)
As for learned behavior, there are many factors that make up
why people do the things they do. The
home environment has to be the critical piece.
Educational experiences, social interactions and the various personal
relationships are important aspects as well.
All of these pieces added to how a person is predisposed creates the
perfect storm of a Psychopath.
“Not only genetic make-up, but
environmental factors also influence human behavior. It is well known that
early-childhood environment also influences the later-life predisposition
toward violent behaviors. Longitudinal studies assessing the development of
psychopathology have replicated the strong influence of adverse parental
rearing on externalizing and aggressive behavior in children.” (www.nature.com)
After doing quite a bit of research
on this controversial topic, I have concluded that both nature and nurture make
up a psychopath. I agree with both the authors of these articles, Psychopath are made up of both. And there are very specific scientific clues to what makes up a psychopath. Nobody is born evil,
just predisposed to violent behavior. And if that is fostered in a young child,
they are more likely to act on Psychopathic behavior. Nurture then comes into
play to determine how a person deals with their psychopathic personality traits.
I wonder how many people are just
ticking time bombs waiting to go off?
What are the statistics of Psychopaths that have been caught and are
incarcerated? Who is really walking
around in our society? It’s very scary to think about.
Work Cited
Nature-Nurture Controversy. (2016). In J. L.
Longe (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology (3rd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 796-798). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale.
This topic is so interesting to me. It is so hard to say weather people are born a psychopath or made? I find it very interesting that in your last blog, you posted the difference in the brains of a normal person and one of a person with the characteristics of a psychopath. This leads me to wonder if a psychopath is born with a different chemical balance then that of a normal brain. Then with the help of their up bringing, they are further driven into their psychotic behaviors. I do think that if a psychopath is born, that with help and environmental influences, their behaviors can be changed and or stopped. I think this topic will always be a evolving one and I prey that one day we will have some solid answers in order to help the ones that suffer with such problems. My question to you is, if psychopaths are not born, then why are children showing signs of such behavior at such a young age. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLzYU1juu3g
ReplyDeleteThis topic is so interesting to me. It is so hard to say weather people are born a psychopath or made? I find it very interesting that in your last blog, you posted the difference in the brains of a normal person and one of a person with the characteristics of a psychopath. This leads me to wonder if a psychopath is born with a different chemical balance then that of a normal brain. Then with the help of their up bringing, they are further driven into their psychotic behaviors. I do think that if a psychopath is born, that with help and environmental influences, their behaviors can be changed and or stopped. I think this topic will always be a evolving one and I prey that one day we will have some solid answers in order to help the ones that suffer with such problems. My question to you is, if psychopaths are not born, then why are children showing signs of such behavior at such a young age. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLzYU1juu3g
ReplyDeleteIt is strange that it is so hard to tell whether someone is born or made a psychopath. I am all for the nature vs nurture conversation. I believe that there is no such thing as nature vs nurture in life. People are born and (like you pointed out) predisposed to certain behaviors. I believe the only role nurturing plays into behaviors is how long it takes for them to show or to what extent.
ReplyDeleteWell I took the test from your other post, and I'm glad to say I am in the lowest category! Nature vs nurture is so fascinating, I don't think there will ever be a direct answer honestly. I am more on the side of nurture. While I do believe there are a few things people can be predisposed to, such as musical talent, I don't think nature is the absolute determining factor. Someone can be born with a great ear for composing music, but if it isn't nurtured they may become a doctor instead of a rockstar. I do believe environment is a huge factor. If someone grew up in an abusive household, I could definitely see that person being more violent later in life. They grew seeing the behavior as "normal."
ReplyDeleteYou pose a very good question and it's interesting to see how genetics and environment play into the people we become. I really enjoyed the test that you added in as well. Do you believe that it's nature to nurture? Or could it be case by case? What could we do as a society to lessen this? Could bullying or other outside factors play a role?
ReplyDelete