Henry Lee Lucas bludgeoned, choked, stabbed, shot or mutilated nearly 360 women, men and children, committing his first murder at the age of thirteen. Lucas was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder characterized by a person's lack of conscientiousness and expression of little regret for harming others (Myers). Scientists define psychopaths with the following traits: lack of empathy, guilt or remorse, impulsivity, poor ability to delay gratification, superficial charm, and grandiose sense of self-worth (Choi). Psychologists, scientists and criminologists seek to answer the question of why serial killers commit mass killings and how they become such violent humans. With this in mind, two schools of thought emerge on the subject: nature (genetic makeup) and nurture (environmental and social factors). Many believe genes are the answer to understanding the mind of a serial killer, while others focus on the origins and childhood context of psychopaths. However, I have discovered that it is a mixture of genetics and cultural upbringing that forms a psychopath. To prove this, one must understand the genetic makeup of a psychopath. All humans are made up of tiny individual genes that make up their personality traits, which define who they are. Most scientists believe that murderers do not become a shell of a killer, but rather possess predetermined genes that cause chemical imbalances in their brains and bodies ("Serial Killers"). In the Davidson study, Richard Davidson compared the brain scans of more than 500 people prone to violence to those considered normal ("serial killers"). The study found that brain images of murderers convicted of aggressive or antisocial disorders showed differences...... middle of paper ......o struggled, liked to run around, hustled for the camera, and he loved playing with and getting together with children” (“Serial Killers”). Jeffrey Dahmer was a normal kid until his family moved three times in a short period of time. Afterward, Dahmer's parents noticed that he had become shy and antisocial. Scientists argue that Dahmer's genes and brain activity prove why he is a psychopath, while psychologists argue that the external factor of moving from city to city is the cause. Although many humans face violent situations and experience horrific events every day, for most of us, being mass murderers does not change our attitudes and personalities. Overall, it is true that many abused children become violent during their adult lives, but to fall into the serial killer category, one must be born with a different biochemical makeup..