Is criminal behavior biologically determined? Nature vs. Education has been one of the oldest and most debated topics among psychologists over the years. This concept discusses whether a child is born into this world with their developmental work cut out for them or whether a child is a “blank slate” and their experiences are what shape them into who they are. Over the years and extensive research, psychologists have mostly come to agree that it's a bit of both. Both children are born with some genetic predispositions while other aspects of the child's development are strongly influenced by the surrounding environment. This plays into the criminal justice system when discussing where criminal behavior stems from. Is a criminal's antisocial behavior just part of his DNA or is it the result of his upbringing? The answer to this question is not definitive. Looking at the research one can make a strong case that criminals developed their antisocial patterns through the atmosphere they grew up in, not through their DNA. Conversely, an individual may have innate personality traits that may make him or her more susceptible to antisocial behavior. models; For example, those who are born into families that have a history of mental illness. As stated by professionals at the Stanford School of Medicine, “If someone has a parent or sibling with major depression, that person probably has a 2 to 3 times greater risk of developing depression than the average person” (Levinson & Nichols, 2015) . . Mental disorders may contribute to an individual's likelihood of participating in criminal behavior. Those who cannot afford medical insurance or do not have access to psychiatric care may turn to illegal drugs to help them self-medicate. It's... middle of paper... gh young people. Intervening at an early age, when minors are still easily influenced, could be useful in breaking this cycle of criminal behavior in their family. It would be difficult to target adults since some may not see anything wrong in their actions and also because they have already developed and accustomed to this kind of lifestyle. Attempting to correct a grown adult so that they do not pass their behaviors on to their children would be unproductive. The best way to end criminal behavior would be to intervene with juvenile delinquents through the school system or after-school programs. I wouldn't suggest techniques like "Scared Straight," the TV show that tries to scare young people into local jails. After-school programs that encourage delinquents to live in a positive atmosphere would probably be the best tactic. References