Serial Killers - Nature or nurture?

Answer 1

I say it's a combination. There are probably people who are more genetically prone to become serial killers and other kinds of sociopaths. However, there are also environmental factors: bad family life and such. If you're constantly surrounded by people doing things like stealing, killing, doing drugs, etc. you may think it's the norm. But, once again, there are people who grow up in that kind of life who end up being very successful. So I don't think you can say that it's one thing or another, it's a combination of various genetic and environmental factors.

Answer 2

Both - nature can make someone more prone, as can nurture, but the combination of these two to make someone criminally insane is what makes the serial killer.

This is a good question as some answerers have totally missed the point that serial killers are human and we should change society if necessary / possible to stop this from happening. Most serial killers have arisen since 1950, with only a very few before, and other mental illnesses are on the rise, so nurture and society must play a part.

Answer 3

This is the age old debate that people have been having for years. The answer is both, of course. Now it is the influence of both that is really the question. You can never be too sure. Why do some peole that aren't abused horribly turn out to kill others, and why do some that are are abused horribly not kill others? For one thing, being abused can desenseitize someone from pain and feelings therefore enableling them to do the same without remorse. Others can be born with chemical imbalances, inadequate brain functioning within the parts of the brain responsible for impulse control.

Many criminals are said to have suffered from Opposition Defiant disorder and Attention defict disorder and other behavioral problems since early childhood so there must be a biological basis for criminal behavior. Serial killers are said to suffer from Anti-Social Personality Disorder, a condition which renders them totally incompassionate and without remorse for the things they do.

Unlike most criminals, serial killers experience a high from the control the have other another human beings life. There sadistic fantasized are brought to life as they continue to reach deeper and deeper surpassing the limits of recovery. It is done without cause, such as a drug deal gone bad, a cheating husband, or the heat of anger. Serial killers kill for pleasure.

So when it comes to nature or nurture, nurture can definelty have an influence on a person, however, in my opinion sometimes nature renders someone doomed to become a serial killer. However, there is always hope that someone can be steered away from any predisposition. A loving home and family can nurture the horrid nature from their child.

Answer 4

It can be both.But it can also be either. If you have the genes to do that but are raised by different parents than the birth parents and you have treatments of meds and therapy you can avoid the fate of your genes. If the genes are left on their own with a different set of good parents, it can happen either way. If you have the genes and are with the birth parents who abuse or neglect you then you chances are very high to become the serial killer.If you have none of the genes but you are abused badly you can become a SK. If you have none of the genes and are raised by good loving nurturing parents then the odds are in your favor for being a productive individual.You can take a great kid with no bad genes at the age of 6-10 and put them in an abusive situation for a long period and they can become SK or not. It is part just up to the person, no matter where they grew up or what kind of genes they have. It is hard to detect and easy to detect with different ppl.

Answer 5

Lack of Nurture. I read that a person's conscience develops from birth to 5 years old. If a child doesn't bond with its mother or any other loving/caring parent or guardian, there is a high risk of the child not developing a conscience, but an anti-social personality disorder. Anti-social personality disorder can vary in degrees depending on the person. The worst degree is serial killer.

Answer 6

Nurture, and declining moral values in society generally. Liberals have removed the fear of punishment. There is no shame anymore, so that bad attitudes are not nipped in the bud early. The government undermining the family, the encouragement of single parent units, and the consequent failure to chastise bad behaviour, together with the absence of the father role The encouragement of minority groups leading to a victim culture where nobody is responsible for anything.

Human nature is in the mix somewhere, but children starved of love and affection face a life of pure hell. Yet, the do gooders are obsessed with mild physical chastisement, even when it is carried out within a loving environment. It doesn't even begin to compare to emotional damage, which largely goes unnoticed.

Answer 7

Nature - otherwise the world would be full of serial killers. If it was the "bad childhood" "obusive parents" and all the other crap excuses used, there would be at least 30,000 more killers!

People are happy to accept that people are born gifted, but they take a little more convincing that some are born bad.

I have done a lot of research into this as I find it totally fascinating. I could talk about it for hours :-)

Answer 8

Approximately 80% Nature, 20% Nurture, according to medical science.

Answer 9

Definately nurture that one, nobodys born a killer, although some may argue we have killer instincts. As a ration thinking human being, we should all be sophisticated enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

Answer 10

mental illness run in families, can be caused by genes, as well as alcohol and drug abuse during pregnancy. Nurture may prevent some from being worse if properly nurtured. Improper nurture may make worse. Have a good one:-)