Mom's an Alcoholic, Dad beats me, and Now I'm Agressive: Or is it my Genes?

In the discussion of Criminal Behavior the broadly debatable topic of nature vs. nurture ultimately rules the conversation. Not only have both sides battled issues ranging from homosexuality to alcoholism, but neither side can make a convincing argument that either one is exactly correct. We believe that nature plays a role in the characteristics of a human being; however, the role of nurturing affects the individual substantially greater. Essentially, we believe that both roles work together in defining what makes a person who they are. We hope to find out through research and surveys, which is more likely to spur aggressive acts and criminal tendencies. Now, because we are at Miami University and not in South Central L.A. we expect that responses to our surveys will be both ill informed and good-natured. We are not expecting much help from the surveys to develop and answer our hypothesis, however, there have been numerous articles and books written that relate to our topic. It would be extremely helpful to talk to inmates or gang members, but unfortunately Oxford is not a substantial resource for those individuals. We also hope to find a link between upbringing and the way it affects an individual's personality, behavior, modern life etc.
A lot of the evidence seems to point the cause of criminal behavior towards a bad upbringing. One thing that we could find out from a survey on campus would how alcoholic parents or being abducted at an early age has affected certain individuals, however students might be reluctant to reveal such personal information for a Natural Systems survey.

The materials that we are going to use should prove to be very useful; we are kind of up in the air with the survey. I hope that it provides some evidence to our research along the lines of how Miami students feel and how their experiences have affected them, but we will just have to see. There are multitudes of studies and articles that relate to this topic and will prove to be very helpful. We have found studies that range from the testosterone level in women criminals to ethnographic studies of burglars in Britain. We have plenty of information, I am just going to show some of the highlights, we are open for suggestions and anything can be added or removed.

Criminals tend to be especially high on impulsivity, hyperactivity, sensation seeking, and risk taking There is also a substantial body of evidence which indicates that impulsivity, hyperactivity, and a propensity for sensation-seeking and risk-taking are often biologically determined persons prone toward criminality, are said to bore quickly and easily, and need to seek out new and more intense stimulations than that provided by normal daily experiences. Their stimulus seeking behaviors are likely to include deviant and criminal acts, particularly if they lack legitimate opportunities to satiate their stimulus needs. ). Most criminals have a history of poor performance at instrumental tasks. This typically results in a very limited education, and, as an adult, a poor work history and a limited income. Not unexpectedly, such persons have a low investment in conventional society and often have an antagonistic orientation towards conventional society. For such persons the potential loss of the rewards associated with normal society do not pose a substantial cost (Geerken & Gove, 1975), and they often turn elsewhere for symbolistic situations that provide meaning to their lives. Such abuse: a) is often criminogenic in itself, b) impairs one's performance in conventional roles, c) is a motive for crime, and d) can trigger violent criminal behavior. Furthermore, as persons differ in their reactions to and desire for alcohol and other drugs, it seems probable that criminals are particularly likely to find the effects of drugs and alcohol rewarding.

Ethnographic studies are rich in detail and much of what we know about the motivations for crime come from them. Most ethnographic studies, however, are primarily concerned with describing the way persons act, and typically do not focus on motivation. The ethnographic study of burglars in Britain by Bennett and Wright (1984) is particularly suggestive regarding the issue of motivation. When asked what their main reason for offending was, most burglars not surprisingly reported money.

However, over half of the offenders spontaneously elaborated on their response, noting other satisfactions associated with offending. Many of the offenders noted at some stage in the interview that they found the risks associated with offending exciting.
Below are some illustrative examples of the comments made by the burglars.
-Any burglar will tell you that when he's on the job he is excited. It's obvious because the adrenaline is running, you are keyed up, and anybody would say that it was exciting.
-I really do believe that there was a little bit more than just the money. It was using your intelligence and everything else, pitting your wits against the police and the locks and everything else. It definitely gave me an uplift, a charge.
-I think it's the challenge, because you're risking your freedom. It's partly the challenge, and the challenge is part of the excitement.
One way to involve the class in this project is of course the survey, however, I think that the discussions will be particularly interesting because we all came here from different places and we all have had many different experiences. Because this is a Western class and we have all become quite accustomed to each other, I would think that the discussion would be a lot more open. We can of course also share our own criminal experiences and how they made us feel, what motivated us to do such a thing, and so on.
We plan on distributing this survey by this weekend or early next week. I am sort of frightened by the idea of talking to a hardened criminal and asking him or her what made them do it, but the thought of inquiring people within the system or maybe even a psychology teacher on campus seems as if it would be intriguing and helpful.
This is an example of the survey we are going to use, it seems to be versified enough that it would help us accomplish our goal, but can be renovated if necessary. We are also throwing in a bunch of statistics that are very interesting. They at least make you aware of certain things that are going on outside of the Oxford Bubble.

Aggressive Behavior Survey

Age ___ Sex_______

1. Do you feel "very" or "somewhat" unsafe walking alone at night?
Yes Sometimes Not Really No
2. Is drinking beer "cool" or "in" at Miami University?
Yes Sometimes Not Really No
3. Is drinking other forms of alcohol "cool" or "in" at Miami University?
Yes Sometimes Not Really No
4. Are drugs easily accessible if you wanted to get a hold of them?
Yes Sometimes Not Really No
5. If you are underage is alcohol readily available?
Yes Sometimes Not Really No
6. Have you ever been criminally victimized at school?
Violently victimized Property has been victimized Both Never
7. I lose my temper and snap at others?
Definitely Sometimes Not Much Not At All
8. I am patient with other people?
Definitely Sometimes Not Much Not At All
9. I feel I might lose control and hit or hurt someone?
Definitely Sometimes Not Much Not At All
10. I can sit down and relax quite easily?
Definitely Sometimes Not Much Not At All
11. People upset me so that I feel like slamming doors or banging about?
Definitely Sometimes Not Much Not At All
12. I feel tense or wound up?
Definitely Sometimes Not Much Not At All

13. At a night club a energetic dancer keeps bumping into you throughout the night
And eventually knocks you over.
How likely are you toÖ
a. Wait until the dancer has gone and then complain to your friends?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
b. Quietly accept the apologies of the dancer?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
c. Have a heated argument with the dancer?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
d. React fiercely with physical contact?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
14. You are at the supermarket and in a hurry; the person in front of you is fumbling around in their pocket looking for some change.
How likely are you toÖ
a. Wait patiently and say nothing?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
b. Wait until the person has gone and complain to the cashier?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
c. Complain loudly so that the person in front can hear you?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
15. You are driving along and a car pulling out to turn has pulled to far out into
the road so that you have to stop or swerve to avoid hitting them in your right of way.
How likely are you toÖ
a. Drive very closely to the car honking and gesturing making sure the other
driver knows what they have done?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
b. Complain to your passenger but do nothing else?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
c. Ignore the driver and carry on driving normally?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
16. You are in a bar and have been waiting a long time for a drink, everyone else is
getting served before you and it seems the bar tender is ignoring you.
How likely are you toÖ
a. Do nothing and wait for the bar tender to come to you?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
b. Glare at the bar tender and shout your order loudly as they pass by?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
c. Mutter to yourself every time someone else gets served but do nothing?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
17. You are on the highway and the over-taking lane is merging with the lane you are in due to construction. A car races up in the over-taking lane and pushes in front of you.
How likely are you toÖ
a. Do nothing?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
b. Beep your horn or make "hand" signals?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
c. Call the driver in front names but only so that you can hear?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
18. You are driving along at the maximum speed limit and the car behind you decides to over-take you.
How likely are you toÖ
a. Speed up and chase the car for a while?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
b. Ignore the driver?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely
c. Mumble and moan to your passenger/s about the driver's behavior?
Very Likely Unlikely Neither Likely Very Likely

Males are nine times as likely as a woman to commit murder,
Males are seventy-eight times as likely to commit forcible rape,
Males are ten times more likely to commit armed robbery,
Males are six and a half times as likely to commit aggravated assault,
Altogether, American men are almost eight times as likely as women to commit violent crime. FBI, 1991
Males are thirteen and a half times as likely to commit fraud,
Males are thirteen times as likely to be arrested for carrying or possessing a weapon,
Males are ten times as likely to steal a car,
Males are nine times as likely to commit burglary,
Males are nine times as likely to steal a car,
Males are eight and a half times as likely to be arrested for drunkenness,
Males are eight times more likely to be arrested for vagrancy,
Males are eight times as likely to vandalize,

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