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Ashley Bunting Instructor: Malcolm Campbell English 1103 September 12, 2012 Topic Proposal: Abusing Abusers: Is their an abusive gene? Introduction/Overview In this section, please define the topic that interests you. Address the following information: Give an overview of the topic by answering the five Ws: Who? What? Where? When? Why? I will investigate the psychological aspects of a persons mind that causes them to be violent and abusive and if these traits are hereditary. According to an article entitled Sins of the Father claims that a man recently released from prison was imprisoned for attemped murder, actions identical to those of his father. Another article claims that a young boy has been violent since his toddler years and is now facing jail time over assault charges identical to those of his estranged father. The similarity is that these men both blame genetics or heredity for their outrageous actions of violence towards people close to them as well as strangers. So my question is why do some offspring not turn out to be violent and dangerous men while others struggle to control their anger for their entire lives? The difficulty of this topic is that worldwide psychologists and psychiatrists are arguing the facts. Many psychiatric doctors claim that these behaviors are born into a person and apart of their genetic make up and struggle, then there are doctors who think that the actions can be observed and replicated but not genetically passed, however there are also professionals who

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argue just the opposite and believe each person in this world controls their own personal emotions.

Initial Inquiry Question Is an abusive personality genetic?

My Interest in this Topic I am interested in this topic because I plan to one day help abuse victims fiond peace and justice. Furthermore, I am disgusted with the immense amount of abuse that takes place in this world everyday, specifically here in the US. I often read of abuse cases that are ruled in psychological defenses and I would truly like to know if these defenses are legitimate arguments or scapegoats.

Next Steps I plan to first go to the FREE librarian and ask for her assistance in research regarding abuse and the genetic development of such studies. I specifically plan to get the books The Selfish Gene and Abuse is Hereditary. I truly want to know whether these highly educated individuals believe it is possible for these abusers to be genetically programmed in such ways. I also plan to find a medical journal online that provides support of both sides of the genetic abuse theory.