How Genetics and Environmental Factors Produce Antisocial Behavior
Psychologists attribute antisocial behavior to both genetics and external factors. Antisocial behavior refers to conduct that leads to violation of other people’s rights, harm and endangering of other people. It involves manipulation, breaking the law, lying, fighting and any other actions that we consider socially an acceptable. Studies with twins and persons from varying social settings have shown that such actions result from the genetic make-up of the individual or the environment they live in.
Precisely, research findings show that the combination of genetic and environmental predispositions is more effective in producing antisocial mannerisms than each of them would when acting singularly. Behavioral genetics research has revealed that both factors account for antisocial behavior in roughly equal proportions. Hence, none of the two is sufficient to bring about conduct disorder in an individual.
For instance, the genetic make-up of an individual exposes them to particular environments. Studies involving children of criminals show that the children are more likely to take to crime than children from law-abiding parents. Thus, though scientists have not managed to identify specific genes that are responsible for social misbehavior, it is clear that there is a heritable biological component for such behaviors. The biological component then informs the line of action of the individual when exposed to certain circumstances.
Genes also influence people’s behavior by controlling the production of certain neurochemicals. Since genes encode the proteins produced in human beings including those that influence social behavior, the genotype of individuals can affect their conduct in social settings. For example, persons who cannot produce enough dopamine, a neurotransmitter, become predisposed to an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.