Nature vs nurture is an ages-long debate. The well-known genetic studies of twins and families are now said to be both impossible and unproductive. Yet, this model still persists as a way of framing discussion on the causes of behaviour in genetic research papers, the media and lay discussions.
While social and environmental crime theories were dominant in criminology and public policy, biological theories have been seen as outdated and discredited. Nevertheless, research into genetic variations associated with aggressive and antisocial behaviour has received more attention in the media.
“Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour” - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262536183_Perceptions_of_nature_nurture_and_behaviour explores ideas on the role of nature and nurture in violent and antisocial behaviour through interviews and open-ended questionnaires among the lay public. It resulted in “general agreement that everybody’s behaviour is influenced to varying degrees by both genetic and environmental factors but deterministic accounts of causation, except in exceptional circumstances, were rejected. Only an emphasis on nature was seen as dangerous in its consequences, for society and for individuals themselves.”
I found this paper provided a fresh perspective distinct from the usual academic researchers who approach the nature-nurture debate from their subject area expertise and stances.
Where do you stand on the nature vs nurture debate?
We can't separate nature from nurture or vice versa. It is easy to blame nature (genetics) for all the shortcomings. On the other hand nuture( our environment and external factors) don't get light as much as nature because if we acknowledge their is something wrong with our environment. We have to change it and it is in favour of many.
This is really interesting.
Absolutely nature vs nature as you state is certainly an outdated dichotomy.
The relationship between genes and enviornment react in a much more complicated fashion.
One of the possible reasons that the media may treat genetic causes more then environmental might be due to comfort and the perception of ourselves.
Genes can provide us with a level of comfort, a neat story as to what went wrong with this individual. If we admit environment, then we have to acknowledge that anyone is capable of crime given the right circumstance. And that would be an uncomfortable realisation.
Genes nonetheless play a crucial role in contributing to who and what we are, and to ignore this would also lead us astray. But modern research shows genes may be expressed or unexpressed due to a variety of enviornmental factors. We've understood this for a long time in fields like medicine.
Interesting conversation nonetheless.
Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read the link.