THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 1

Genre Analysis

The Genetic Causes of Criminal Behavior

The University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1302

Brenda Villarreal
THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 2

Introduction

What is criminology? Criminology is the study of crimes and criminals. Now, why do

certain people enjoy burning down objects? Why is it so easy for a regular person to commit

murder? These are a few questions that will be involved in this research paper. I have chosen this

topic because it amazes me to find out that there is a possibility that some people have a certain

behavior not because they want to or enjoy doing it, but because its who they are. That behavior

could be in their genes, and there is nothing they can do about it. Its a very interesting topic,

because off course it has its contradictory side. The side that believes we all have free will, and are

reasonable human beings that act based on our own desires and choices. Even though there are

two sides to this topic, this time we will research the genetic side. Now the main question is; is

criminal behavior the result of a genetic trait? For many years not only has law enforcement been

involved in this particular study. A variety of psychologist and neurologist have also been involved

in this study. In this research paper, we will examine if genetic traits are the cause of certain

criminals behavior. In order to answer our main question, we will analyze two types of genres.

The two genres that we will be studying will be iconography and typography. The first genre is

iconography, its a brain scan taken by The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. The

second genre, typography, is an article written by Clara Moskowitz, Criminal minds are different

from yours, brain scans reveal. Both of these genres will help us understand how the genetics of

criminals are the cause of their behavior.

Structure and Delivery

Although the two genres share the same purpose they have their unique form of structure

and delivery. The first genre iconography, has a very simple and straight to the point structure. The

photograph is easy to understand and there is no difficulty in trying to comprehend its message.
THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 3

The only problem with this genre is that the information is very limited and is all black and white.

There is not a lot of information and might leave the audience with plenty of unanswered questions.

The positive part is that the photograph proves to the audience that there is a strong difference

between criminals and non-criminals. The brain is what controls our whole body, and in the

photography the audience can see that there is clearly a lot of more abnormalities in a criminals

brain. Which is the result of their bad behavior.

The second genre typography, on the other hand is full of details and information. It

includes plenty of examples of the actual studies done to prove that the genes of certain people

often led them to become criminals. Even though is limited in displaying any type of images to

help resemble its information, the audience can easily picture what they are reading. She uses a

very organized and formal vocabulary in her writing. The structure is very simple straightforward.

Even though she does not use any type of color, it is all black and white she was able to separate

different topics that have a connection with the causes of criminal behavior; giving the audience

the opportunity to understand the topic more.

Both of the genres succeed in proving that some criminals act based on their genetic and

brain structure. Although there have been several studies that show children with signs of

becoming criminals. It is unethical to intervene in a childs life to make such a huge change, even

if its proven to prevent them from becoming criminals.

Audience and Purpose

The first type of genre, iconography, which is the photograph that contains the patients

brain scans. Includes images of their healthy patients; they have no disorders, are not involve in

any criminal behavior, and show no possible genetic traits that might lead them to become a

criminal one day. This photograph also shows the brain scans of criminals that are part of their
THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 4

institution. In this specific genre the author does not specify who he or she is addressing the

information too. It could be anybody that has an interest on the topic. The purpose of this

photograph is to show how different the brain structure of a criminal is compared to someone

that is not. The photograph allows the audience to have a visual of the topic and also to prove

that as shown in the scans, behavior is not only acquired through the learning process, but it

could be in their genes, and the structure of their brain. Its simply the way they are made. Not

the result of someone teaching them to act that way.

The second genre is typography and its the article written by Clara Moskowitz.,

Criminal minds are different from yours, brain scan reveals. This article shows us what are the

main factors of genetic traits that criminals carry and how their brain structure shows how

different they are compared to a non-criminal. The purpose of the article is to find out if a

criminals behavior is the result of his or her genetics. There are several studies that contribute to

this process; certain people will have to go through certain tests including, IQ test, mental health

test and social tests. These studies help determine what is the common gene or abnormalities in

their brain that are the cause of their behavior. The author wants to give a specific explanation of

the influences that these genes and different structures of brains might have on peoples

behavior. She does not mention any specific audience she is trying to reach, but we do know that

she is trying to inform the audience of her research.

Rhetorical issues

Both of these two genres have rhetorical issues. Even though they share the same purpose

and audience, the rhetorical issues that each genre provides is different. Each genre provides the

information in their own unique way.

Ethos
THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 5

The first genre, iconography has a good use of the rhetorical appeal, ethos. Since the

photograph was taken at an actual mental institution (Massachusetts, Mental Department

Institution). The audience can confirm that the information that the author is introducing to us, is

true. This photograph provides the readers with a strong credibility.

The second genre; typography, the article, Criminal minds are different from yours,

brain scans reveal. Includes more of the rhetoric appeal, ethos. Since this article is based on

scientific studies and different types of experiments, we can conclude that is has a strong

credibility. The article is based on facts that the author provides from her researchs, it an

informative article, it is mostly using ethos.

Pathos

Both of these genres lack the rhetorical appeal, pathos. Since both of the genres are

informative, the authors are not trying to introduce any emotions to their audience.

They are both based on plenty of studies and research. I think the reason the author did not apply

this rhetorical appeal is ones again I believe this article was written with the purpose of

informing the public of true facts. She was not interested in creating an emotional response on

the audience.

Logos

In the first genre, the author does include the rhetorical appeal, Logos. The photograph

gives actual evidence of the patients brain structure. It gives the name of the actual institution

where the photos came from, Massachutets Mental Department Institution. The audience of this

genre can observe the image and actually see where the photograph was taken and who are the

patients, and what is their disorder. By providing all that information the author shows the

audience his sources and makes the statement credible. The second genre also gives plenty of
THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 6

evidence. The author gives us examples of the actual studies that have been made, in order to

understand the connection between a criminals behavior and their genes and brain structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both of these genres showed the audience a relationship between a

criminals genetic traits and brain structure that is the result of their behavior. Even though one

of the genres was a bit limited on information it was a good contribution to the research. It

allowed us to have a visual statement of our topic, it was a very good image that helped compare

and contrast a criminals brain and a non-criminal brain. It is to say that these genres explained

the factors that contribute to a criminals behavior, off course they are not the only factors but

they are a huge part of their behavior. Behavior is a very interesting topic but finding out that

someone might murder someone because of their genetic composure, or maybe because they

have a mental disorder that was inherited to them. It makes total sense, but yet at the same time

unfair. There is nothing we can do to change the genetic structure of a person, the best thing we

can do is help them control it or find a way to prevent them from committing a crime.

References

Moskowitz, C. (2011, March 04). Criminal Minds Are Different from Yours, Brain

Scans Reveal. Retrieved September 25, 2017, from

https://www.livescience.com/13083-criminals-brain-neuroscience-ethics.html

Staff, C. F., & McPadden, M. (2015, August 31). Inside the Criminal Mind: 10

Fascinating Findings About the Brains of Criminals. Retrieved September 20,

2017, from http://crimefeed.com/2015/08/inside-the-criminal-mind-10-

fascinating-findings-about-the-brains-of-criminals/