The Most Plausible Cause of Criminal Behavior - Case Study Example

Research Proposal: Is Criminal Behavior a Result of Nature or Nurture? Student’s Name: Grade Course: Tutor’s Name: Date: Introduction The debate on whether criminal behavior is inherited or acquired has ranged on for many years. Unfortunately, scholars, researchers, and criminologists alike are yet to attain a succinct answer on the matter. The apparent vacuum in the matter presents a chance for researchers and scholars to contribute towards finding a definite answer on whether criminality is genetic or conditioned by environmental factors. This research seeks to take a closer look at past research findings by scholars and researchers and therefore draw a conclusion on the most plausible cause of criminal behavior. This means that the research will be based on a review of literature. Research design and sample In order to obtain substantive research findings from different scholars, a minimum of 10 credible literature sources will be reviewed. Since crime has always existed in society, the research will not limit itself within a specific period. Rather, the researcher will seek to obtain relevant information from credible sources. Most notably, the researcher will refrain from using websites with no author, blogs, and Wikipedia. Instead, the researcher will seek to review literature published in credible sources, which include books and peer-reviewed journals. Literature Review (Sample) Among the best ways that one can determine if indeed human behavior is inherited, is by studying the family tree, behavior portrayed by twins, and behavior portrayed by siblings brought up in different environments (Mednick, 1985). Specifically, comparing criminal tendencies among identical twins, non-identical twins, and fraternal twins is likely to give researchers a conclusive answer on whether criminality is a nurtured or natured human behavior. Mednick (1985) hypothesize that if indeed criminal behaviors were attained from nature, then identical twins would have similar traits because of their exact genetic makeup. Mednick (1985) reports that of the nine studies conducted between 1929 to investigate the link between genetic makeup and criminal behavior, all found a strong indication that identical twins who chose to engage in crime would be in it together. Notably however, the studies found out that fraternal twins were half as likely to engage in criminal behavior together compared to the identical twins. In an earlier criminal study conducted by Christiansen (1970), it emerged that 65 percent of the identical twins surveyed did not have the same criminality records. This could be interpreted to mean that nature is not to blame for the criminal behavior exhibited by people. This interpretation is however rendered null and void by the 35 percent identical twins who exhibited similar criminal behavior in the Christiansen (1970) study. Unlike Christiansen (1970), McQuire (2004) hypothesized that both nature and nurture contribute towards criminal behavior exhibited by people with the same genetic makeup. Carson et al. (2007) further supports the hypothesis by McQuire (2004) by arguing that individuals who exhibit criminal behavior do not act freely. These two studies conclude that criminality arises when the inherent psychological or biological factors predisposes people to act in an anti-social manner. The debate on whether crime is a product of nature and nurture deepens as more scholars come up with different findings to support either side of the argument. Trying to bring objectivity into the debate, scholars like Moffitt (2005) observe that even where statistics indicate that nature is responsible for criminality behavior in people, it become hard to ignore the social and environmental factors that could have contributed to the individuals’ antisocial conduct. Moffitt (2005) states that even where criminal behavior is observed among family members such as parents and their children, or fraternal or identical twins, researchers and criminologists cannot just ignore the possibility that criminal behavior can be transmitted environmentally. To solve the dilemma that arises from such an argument, researchers (Andrews & Bonta, 2006 ;) have studied the criminality concordance of identical twins who have grown up in different environments. In their research, they found out that 29 percent of such twins exhibited the same antisocial behaviors. Farrington (1997) and Ainsworth (2001) offer a clearer picture on how criminals are affected by nature and nurture. In different studies, the two researchers found that delinquency in all people (regardless of their genetic makeup) is influenced by factors such as poor upbringing, parental criminality, large families, and low family income. The identified factors suggest that children who have little parental guidance when growing up, and are hence more exposed to negative peer pressure that could easily lead them to take criminal behaviors. Proposed data collection methods and variables The effect that nature and nurture has on criminality is a widely debated issue (Delaney, 2009). As such, conducting a fresh research on the same subject would be tantamount to re-inventing the wheel or unnecessarily doubling of efforts where a need for the same does not exist. To this end, the researcher wishes to collect data from literature sources, which span over the years. Notably, the researcher can base the study on multiple credible sources, which include books and peer-reviewed journals articles. Due to the thoroughness in research and the seriousness displayed in analysing findings, this research will strive to use peer-reviewed journals as the main information sources. This research notes that the relevancy of the peer-reviewed journals to be used cannot be judged by how recent or old they are. As such, the research will obtain a minimum of 10 journals for review, based on the details published therein. Specifically, the research will target journals that address different areas in the nature vs. nurture debate regarding criminal behaviour. Some of the area that the research will target gaining insight about include- criminality in fraternal and identical twins; the effect that upbringing has on an individual’s behaviour; the different psychological theories explaining criminal behaviour; and individual differences observed in criminal behaviour. The data collection method proposed in this study is intended to prove or disapprove the assertion made by Plomin (2001) claiming that the nature-nurture debate in criminal psychology studies does not have a clear-cut answer. Specifically, Plomin (2001) argues that all behavioural disorders (including antisocial behaviours that lead to criminal behaviours) have some genetic influence in them. Though indirectly, Plomin (2001) suggests that researchers, scholars and criminologists have over the years failed to attain an exact answer to the genotype-environment correlation question regarding criminal behaviour, because they do not engage in a sophisticated and sensitive analysis of findings obtained from the different studies. To ensure that the data is accurate and dependable, this study will try to use comprehensive literature sources only. The comprehensive nature of a journal article or a book will be determined by the extent that the author(s) interprets his or her findings, and the diverse nature of the sample used in the research. While discussing the nature-nurture influence on criminal behaviour for example, the research will seek to review literature from sources that have considered the genetic factors, as well as the environmental factors. It would also be refreshing to obtain data from literature sources that address both genders. For instance, do women from families with criminal history project the same criminal or non-criminal behaviours like their male siblings? In order to enhance the study’s chances of obtaining balanced and objective research findings, the data collection will try to collect data from varied journals in the criminology, sociology and psychology subjects. Some interesting subjects that will arise during the study will also be analysed in order to get a clearer picture of the same. For example, Carey (1992) conducted a study to find out if behaviour imitation among twins could be responsible for the congruent criminal conduct observed in identical twins. Delaney (2009) on the other hand has argued that the determination and free will of an individual are more likely to contribute towards criminal behaviour than nature or nurture would. The Sheldon (1942, cited by Jeff, 2002) comment that people with a broad and muscular physic are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour is also an interesting off-the-cut study area that is worth considering for the sake of obtaining comprehensive and objective data for use in this study. Ethical issues or Constraints Considering that the study is based on reviewing past research findings and analysis as conducted by other scholars, researchers and criminologists, there exist the possibility of plagiarism. This study will however strive to avoid all forms of plagiarism by accruing credit where it is due. Specifically, the study will name all the authors of the reviewed literature hence crediting all efforts directed towards researching and analysing specific subject areas to them. Since every study has its ethical issues and constraints, the researcher in this study realises that the same can be passed on to this study through the fact that this research is not scientific by nature. The research will however try to minimise on the constraints experienced in the different literatures it will review through incorporating a wide array of journal articles. Analysing data As every scholar knows, the source of data is just as important as the quality of data obtained in any study. For this reason, the data analysis for this study will only be conducted after a distinction between facts, opinions or beliefs expressed by the different authors has been made. Specifically, the researcher will avoid all instances of rumour or gossip, which some authors can pass as facts in their published work. The research will approach all information given in the different sources in literature with a critical mind, and will as such discriminate between the facts, opinions, and beliefs, only analysing what is real, and rejecting any anecdotal evidence presented therein. Additionally, the research will look for evidence-based research findings, clarity of thought, and consistency of ideas when analysing the results gotten from the literature review. During the analysis, the researcher intends to use analytical, consecutive and focused thinking skills in order produce a well-reasoned representation of the research findings. References Ainsworth, P. (2001). Offender profiling and crime analysis. Willan Publishing: London, UK. Andrews, D.A. & Bonta, J. (2006). The psychology of criminal conduct. ( 4th edition). New York: Matthew Bender & Company Inc. Carey, G. (1992). Twin imitation for anti-social behavior: implications for genetic and family environment research. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 18-25. Carson, D., Milne, R., Pakes, F., Shaley, K., & Shawyer, A. (2007). A descriptive model of the hunting process of serial sex offenders: A rational choice perspective. Journal of Family Violence. Vol. 22, pp. 449-463. Christiansen, K. O. (1970). Crime in a Danish twin population. ActaGeneticae Mediate et Gemellologiae: Twin Research. Vol.19, pp. 323-326. Delaney, D. (2009). Criminal behavior: Free will versus determinism. Australian Journal of Correctional Staff Development. Retrieved 27 Feb. 2011 from: http://www.bfcsa.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/196427/Criminal_Behaviour_-_Free_Will_v._Determinism.pdf Jeff, O. (2002). Explanations of criminal behavior. Retrieved 27 Feb. 2010, from: http://www.jeffstanden.net/Explanations%20of%20criminal%20behaviour.pdf McQuire, J. (20040 Understanding Psychology and crime: perspectives on theory and actions. New Jersey: Open University Press. Mednick, S. (1985). Crime in the family tree. Psychology Today. Retrieved 27 Feb. 2010 from: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CDAQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fftp.beitberl.ac.il%2F~bbsite%2Fmisc%2Fezer_anglit%2Fklali%2F99_85.doc&rct=j&q=Crime%20in%20the%20Family%20Tree-%20psychology%20today&ei=RYxpTdPAIIKKhQfovO3sDg&usg=AFQjCNGM_Pnggl90TRTsEWqGYs-e6KRukw&sig2=pyHnU5nie1na4OOpTk5xWg&cad=rja Moffitt, T. (2005). The new look of behavioral genetics in developmental psychopathology: gene-environment interplay on anti-social behaviors. Psychological Bulletin. Vol. 131, no. 4, pp. 533-554. Plomin, R. (2001). Genetics and Behavior. The Psychologist. Vol. 14, pp. 134-139. Read More