Abstract

This paper analyzes the connections between early life stress (ELS) and criminality in adults. Nature is the concept of how genetics influence an individual's personality. ELS over time can eventually lead to structural changes of the brain, chemical imbalances linked to mental illness such as depression, and aggressive behavior that can possibly bloom into adult criminal behavior (Thijssen, Ringoot, Wildeboer, et.al, 2015). Empirical evidence and scientific studies suggest that ELS combined with either nature and/or nurture aspects are factors that can predict or be used as a way to explain a child’s future health and behavior (Thijssen, Ringoot, Wildeboer, et.al, 2015). This paper also analyzes evidence linking ELS to a child’s future behavior (e.g., Kaufman and Zigler, 1987). Case studies and historical examples of crime (e.g., rape, murder, and battery) can illustrate the condition of ELS coupled with nature and/or nurture through the study of cases such as Richard Ramirez, Richard Chase, Jeffery Dahmer, and Aileen Wuornos. In the aforementioned cases, there is evidence that can possibly show the connection between ELS, coupled with the nature and nurture aspects, and criminal behavior.

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