Human psychology and the human mind can work in mysterious ways such as, in the case of criminal and violent minds compared to the average. Interestingly enough, the differing factor in that of a violent mind than in the average mind can stem from a multitude of reason but the majority can be traced back to one time period in the individual's life, their childhood. Instances in childhood such as abuse and trauma whether stemming from parental cause or other factors deeply impact the impressionable children (Salvatore 1). Parents who expose kids to physical and verbal abuse and have a history of substance abuse cause trauma to an impressionable child's mind forming future violent and criminal tendencies Exposure to physical and verbal abuse …show more content…
Some impaired functions brought about substance abuse include: impeded awareness and sensitivity to varying environmental factors, impaired executive functioning and critical decision making, impaired motor skills, and difficulty with emotional regulation (Mayes, Truman 330). These parental abilities are vital to the well being of a child and their upbringing and if can not be completely and effectively performed can lead to traumatic incident later scaring a child. Referring back to Capote's In Cold Blood, Perry’s mother was often under the influence of alcohol impairing her sense of judgement in a specific incident inviting random men into her home leading to possibly endangering herself and her children present at the house. Perrys mom inevitably mentally scarred her own children when her husband came home and acted out because of her behavior while abusing alcohol impairing her judgment and other vital cognitive abilities. (Capote 273-274). Capote goes on to describe the fear Perry felt in that moment and in several other moments in his childhood. In a forensic psychiatric study on the impact of fear on a child's mind, conducted by psychiatrist Bruce Perry, it was found …show more content…
The MAOA gene is found to stimulate and influence human aggression. As with any gene increased levels found in one's DNA directly leads to increased levels of the trait the gene is responsible for (Buckholtz, Lindenberg 120). In Capote’s In Cold Blood Perry's partner in crime Dick was not raised with abusive parents and was not exposed to parental substance abuse, yet still displayed violent tendencies with no trauma before. Dicks lack of substatial traumatic events in his childhood leads to the conclusion that he was born with higher violent behaviors than his others (Capote 1-343). Although it is true that increases in a gene directly corelate to amount of presence for the corresponding trait, the MAOA gene in particular is still being studied. In the study of the MAOA gene it was found that the relevance of in vitro changes which supposedly cause spikes in the gene has yet to be confirmed and the cases are very rare (Buckholtz, Lindenberg 121-122). Furthermore, Dick Hitchcock although not having parental motivators for his actions did poses financial motivation. Dick never had enough money to attend college making him bitter and resentful. This bitterness carried through his life into his criminal years causing him to ro the Clutters (Capote 1-343). Dick only differs from Perry