CRIM 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Reality Principle, The Kallikak Family, Dopamine Transporter
16 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Is human behavior the product of nature or nurture. Until quite recently, theoreticians have generally adhered to one viewpoint or the other. Scientists recognize that behavior is not solely caused by nature or nurture but rather a combination of both. Fishbein says that it is rare that an effect can be attributed to a single cause. Choices are limited or bounded by current circumstances or opportunities, learning experiences, physiological abilities and genetic predispositions . Some earlier scientific theories were in fact flawed. Physiognomy proposed that facial features could reveal an individual"s inner characteristics. e. g. , cowardice, deceitfulness, or propensity to engage in violence and crime. Phrenology ( craniometry) held that abnormalities in the shape of the skull were indicative of a person"s morality and intelligence. Study of the kallikaks would be a good example of an earlier foray in crime, that could be described as both biological and psychological.
