Whenever a particularly violent or grisly crime grabs the headlines, most people have the same thoughts. Are criminals raised or born? Throughout history, social scientists, physicians, researchers and psychologists have struggled to answer these questions. In Medieval times, it was believed that demons and evil spirits of all types and forms took possession of the person, thus causing bad behavior. The ancient Romans believed that human behavior ebbed and flowed with the phases of the moon. The word 'lunacy,' which is derived from the Latin word 'luna' for moon, reflected that belief.

Criminal psychologists have tested out a number of excuses for criminal’s behaviour. Henry Lee Lucas blamed his upbringing; others like Jeffrey Dahmer say that they were born with a 'part' of them missing. Ted Bundy claimed pornography made him do it. Bobby Joe Long said a m

In the past scientists and theorists have used all sorts of explanations to explain the pathological aspects that make up the profile of a killer. Henry Goddard conducted a research project in 1912 that became published as ‘The Kallikak Family: A Study in the Hereditary of Feeble-Mindedness’

Gage survived. But his personality had undergone a dramatic change. Whereas before he was the capable and efficient foreman on the job, Phineas Gage became sloppy, careless and argumentative. 'The equilibrium between his cerebral faculties and his animal propensities seemed to have been destroyed,' said his doctor. Gage was later dismissed from his job and became somewhat of a reclusive figure. "His mind is radically changed," wrote Dr. Harlow, "so decidedly that his friends said he was no longer Gage”.

Some topics in this essay:
, Phineas Gage, Justice Australia, Consolidated School, Feeble-Mindedness’ Studies, Dr Harlow, Vito Holmes, Emile Durkheim, Andrew Kehoe, Bell Holmes, criminal behaviour, criminals raised born, beck bell, criminal families, emile durkheim, phases moon, raised born, supreme court, belief criminal, criminal psychologists, phineas gage,