Research conducted in light of psychology, the science that examines human and animal behaviors, indicates that the main factor determining behavior is the interaction of hereditary and environmental factors. Experts pointed out that the interaction of both the genetic heritage an individual receives from their parents and the conditions in which they are born and raised is decisive in an individual's behaviors.
Dr. Hazal Ayas, Head of the Psychology Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, made evaluations regarding the genetic origins of behaviors.
Dr. Ayas stated that research conducted in light of psychology, the science that examines human and animal behaviors, shows that the main factor determining behavior is the interaction of hereditary and environmental factors.
Behavior is determined by both genetic and environmental factors
Dr. Hazal Ayas said, “Neither genetic factors alone nor environmental factors alone can explain behavior. The interaction of both the genetic heritage an individual receives from their parents and the conditions in which they are born and raised (geography, culture, family structure, upbringing, socio-cultural environment, etc.) is decisive in an individual's behaviors. Studies on identical twins who have the same genetic structure but grew up in different families confirm that genetics alone are insufficient to explain behavior.”
Genetics can be a determining factor in anger, violence, and aggression...
Emphasizing that genetic predisposition is a determining factor in the tendency towards anger, violence, and aggression, Dr. Hazal Ayas said the following:
“Not only an individual's behaviors, but also physical characteristics such as height, weight, skin color, or potential diseases (cardiac problems, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, etc.) are related to both genetic predisposition and how this predisposition is supported by environmental factors. For example, a child born into a relatively short family is also expected to be short. However, if this individual eats healthy, exercises regularly, that is, if they fulfill appropriate environmental conditions, they can exceed their potential height slightly. Or an individual with a family history of diabetes genetics might not develop diabetes if they lead a very disciplined life; conversely, an individual without a genetic predisposition might become diabetic due to very unhealthy living conditions. Similarly, aggression, anger, and a tendency towards crime and violence can also be potentially transmitted from the family as a genetic burden, but whether this potential manifests depends on environmental conditions. A child growing up in a home where there is a tendency for aggression towards each other, and the reinforcement of aggressive behavior, leads to the strengthening of the behavior as social learning.”
Is crime genetic?
Evaluating whether the child of a person with a tendency towards crime is also prone to crime, Dr. Hazal Ayas said, “As with all behaviors, genetic transmission can be involved, but it cannot explain the tendency towards crime alone. When supported by environmental factors, the tendency towards crime can emerge. Or a child who does not have a genetic potential for it can also exhibit criminal, violent, or aggressive behaviors if raised in negative environmental conditions.”
Problematic behaviors can be treated
Evaluating whether behaviors such as crime, violence, or aggression can be treated, Assistant Professor Dr. Hazal Ayas said, “In the therapeutic process, we address our behaviors and the mental factors underlying these behaviors. Therefore, behaviors such as crime, violence, and aggression can also be addressed and treated through psychiatric and psychotherapeutic processes.”