Running head: THE GENETIC CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR 1

Genre Analysis Draft

The genetic causes of criminal behavior

The University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1302

Brenda Villarreal
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Introduction

What is criminology? Criminology is the study of crimes and criminals. 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 the research. Now the main question is; is

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

been involved in this particular study. A variety of psychologist have also been involved in it. In

this research paper, we will examine the different genetic traits that cause certain people to commit

crimes and officially making them criminals. We will see the conclusion of this topic through two

types of genres. The two genres that we will be studying will be iconography and typography. We

will be comparing a photograph and an article, both serve the purpose of showing how criminals

genetics are the cause of their behavior.

Audience and Purpose

The first type of genre is iconography. It involves a photograph that a mental institution

took of several patients brains. The photograph includes the x-rays of patients that are healthy;

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

x-rays of criminals that are part of their institution. 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 x-rays, there is another reason why criminals act the way they do. It is not just because they

have learned that type of behavior.

In this specific genre, the intended audience are UTEP students, the Criminal Justice

department, Psychology department. There is off course plenty of people that might also take
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interest in this topic, it is open to whoever is interested in it.

The second genre is typography and its an article written by, Matt McGue and Thomas J.

Bouchard, Jr, Genetic and environmental influences on human behavioral. This article will show

us what are the main factors of genetic traits that criminals carry. The basic idea is that in order

to find out if a criminals behavior is the result of his genetics there are several studies that

contribute to this process. The offender will have to go through certain tests including, IQ test,

mental health test. These are some of the test that help determine what is the common gene or

genes that criminals have that makes them act a certain way. The purpose of this article is for us

to have a more clear and specific explanation of the influences that these genes might have on

peoples behavior. The audience as well as the first genre is basically for anybody that has a

connection to this topic.

Rhetorical issues

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

audience the rhetorical issues are different because each one provides the information in a unique

way.

Ethos

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

was taken at an actual mental institution. The institutions information is cited and gives credits

to other collaborations that took part of this photo. With this said, we can confirm that the

information that the author gives is, is true. It has a strong credibility. Although the rhetorical

appeal is shown in this genre we cannot say there is an abundance of it.

Pathos
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The second genre does not display the usage of Pathos in a big part of the article.

The author does not include any type of emotions on the article. It is more of a scientific article

and is 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 Logos. The photograph uses logos by displaying the

actual evidence of the patients brain structure. It is very logical to think that there is clearly a

connection between the genetics of criminals and their behavior. The audience of this genre can

observe the image and actually see where the photograph was taken and who are the patients, by

displaying all that information the author shows the audience all his sources and makes the

statement more credible.

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 only problem with this genre is that it is very limited. There is not a lot of information and

might leave the audience with plenty of unanswered questions. The second genre typography, on

the other hand is full of detailed information. It includes plenty of examples of the actual studies

done to prove the connection between genetics and behavior. Even though is limited in

displaying any type of image to help resemble its information. The author uses a very organized

and smooth structure in her writing. The point is that they both succeed in proving that some
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criminals act based on how their genes are composed. They cannot change their genetic traits,

but they can receive special help that will help them to control themselves.

Conclusion

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

genetic trials and 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 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 some genes do 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 you murder someone because

its who you are, because you have a certain gene or a mental disorder that was inherited to you.

It makes 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.
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References: Jones, C. M. (2005, February). Genetic and Environmental Influences on Criminal

Behavior. Retrieved September19,2017, from

http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/jones.html