The heavily debated issue that looks at whether a person acts as a result of nature, which involves the genetics and DNA of a person, or nurture, the way in which a person is raised, can be applied directly in the study of serial killers (Examination of the Psychology of Serial Killers). Some argue that a serial killer must be mentally ill, while others believe that there have been experiences throughout the killer’s life that shaped them into the person they became. Although serial killers such as Charles Manson and Nannie Doss, who experienced horrible childhoods, exist, there are many others including Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, who were raised in healthy households with supportive family members (Brogaard). In order to become a serial killer, there must be some abnormality of the brain, specifically the part of the brain from which psychopathic traits stem. Many people will argue that there are events that occur in a person’s life that cause them to behave and act the way that they do. For example, Charles Manson who manipulated a cult into brutally killing others for him, was abused and neglected as a child (Brogaard). Because this was the only thing that he was taught growing up, it may seem as if he was destined to be aggressive and malicious. In a study of 62 male serial killers, Erin Hick found that a shocking 48% of them had been rejected as a child by a parent or another significant figure in their life (Fox 113). Many people deal with these same situations every day and experience horrible things in their lifetime; however, very few of them become serial killers. Although it is proven that many victims grow up to become violent adults, to become a serial killer, that person, according to the National Center for Crisis Management, “must be born with a different biochemical makeup” (Serial Killers: Nature vs. Nurture). In the Nannie Doss murders, it is clear to see how nurture played such a large role in influencing her to murder several of her husbands. Nannie Doss grew up with a very controlling and strict father that abused her and forced her to do very laborious work. As a result, she s