Nature versus Nurture: A Criminal Perspective

     The ongoing debate of “nature versus nurture” in a persona’s upbringing has always been used to questions their actions. Some people’s actions reflect the way in which they were brought up. But perhaps one’s genetics and biological make up could be used to explain behavior. A brain scan can be used to highlight certain markers that cause psychopathic dispositions. According to recent studies as described by the New York Times, “defense lawyers now commonly introduce brain scans of convicted clients as mitigating evidence in appeals of death sentences.”  In this case, “nature” is actually used as a defense for one’s actions, as if these psychopathic impulses cannot be fought. Through careful analysis of his own psychopathic tendencies, James Fallon, author of The Psychopath Inside, is able to describe how his own psychopathic tendencies have influences his life.

     Fallon discovered, through his own brain scan, that he has psychopathic tendencies. In fact, he discovered that he comes from long line of hardwired psychopathic killers. However, he himself is not a killer. Though he may have distant relationships with his colleagues and “flattened emotional sensibilities”, it is clear that Fallon is not a killer. He has lead a normal and relatively successful life with a fulfilling job and healthy family. His relationship with his family is heavily influenced by his psychopathic tendencies. Fallon describes how he never truly loved his wife, but rather adores and admires her. He loves his children as friends and more so respects them. In this way it is evident that these tendencies have morphed themselves into a sense of disconnection with his family and friends.

    In the article by the New York Times, researchers assessed the reactions of 181 state judges when exposed to fictional cases. These fictional cases involved an offender who was identified as a psychopath, and the judges were to give him a sentence based on the case. Upon review of all the biological information, it is evident that the personalities of the assailants correlate to their dispositions. Fallon poses a prime example for this. His story describes a man whose distance could be attributed to his genetic and biological makeup. He describes his normal childhood and perhaps that upbringing could explain the less than dangerous manifestation of his nature. While the offenders in each case showed no empathy for their aggressive and criminal acts, many judges reduced their sentences by as much as a year. This shows that a criminal’s disposition to a lack of empathy actually raises the amount of empathy a judge may feel. It is as if these judges believe that the criminals are not in control of their actions and that they have always had such tendencies.

While Fallon’s story supports the idea that these brain scans provide evidence for certain behavioral traits, he is a prime example of someone that managed to be a good person despite who his genetic makeup describes him to be. In the words of Albus Dumbledore, “it is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”

Carey, Benedict. "Study of Judges Finds Evidence From Brain Scans Led to Lighter Sentences." The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/17/science/brain-evidence-sways-sentencing-in-study-of-judges.html?pagewanted=2>.

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Random House, 1999. Print.