# The Making of a Criminal: Nature, Nurture, or Neurology? | Ruha Lee | TEDxHAFS Youth

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-FG84f2bn8
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/z-FG84f2bn8
Generated: 2025-11-11T18:03:46.421+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The speaker argues that the concept of the alternate self, or alter ego, as popularized by Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," is fundamentally rooted in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), which is primarily a trauma-based condition, not a biological certainty, challenging the notion that inherent nature or biology dictates criminality.

**Key Points:**
- The concept of the 'alternate self' or 'alter ego,' often referenced in fiction like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is fundamentally linked to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
- DID is primarily a trauma-based condition, involving two or more separate identities that usually do not share memories or consciousness, rather than a purely biological or inherent trait.
- Research indicates that individuals with DID do not statistically commit crimes at a higher rate than the general population, undermining the idea that biology predisposes individuals to crime.
- The case of William Stanley Milligan, the most famous DID case, involved three rapist alters committing felonies on the Ohio State University campus in the late 1970s.
- Milligan's defense argued insanity based on DID, claiming two of his 23 alters committed the crimes without the knowledge of the primary personality.
- Countries like Norway and Sweden prioritize rehabilitation and victim acknowledgment over harsh sentencing, contrasting with the US focus on punitive measures for offenders.
- The core factor driving criminal behavior is the environment and upbringing (like lack of love/guidance) rather than inherent psychological wiring.

![Screenshot at 00:00: The speaker, dressed in a formal dark uniform, stands on a red rug under a spotlight on stage, addressing the audience while large letters spelling 'HAFS' sit to the left, setting the scene for a formal presentation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-00-00.png)

**Context:** The video features a presentation by Ruha Lee, likely a student given the setting and "TEDxHAFS Youth" affiliation, exploring the psychological and sociological underpinnings of criminality, specifically using the literary concept of the alter ego to discuss Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and questioning whether inherent nature or environmental factors are the primary drivers of violent behavior.

## Detailed Analysis

The presentation examines the concept of the 'alternate self' or 'alter ego,' tracing its popularization to Robert Louis Stevenson's late 19th-century novel, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.' The speaker clarifies that this literary device reflects the clinical reality of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), a mental condition where a person has two or more distinct identities that are usually disconnected from one another's memories and experiences. The speaker cites the famous case of William Stanley Milligan, who suffered from DID with 23 alters, some of whom committed armed robbery and rape on the Ohio State University campus in the late 1970s. Milligan's defense pleaded insanity, suggesting two alters acted without the primary personality's awareness. However, the speaker argues that DID is fundamentally trauma-based, not genetically determined, noting that research shows no statistical correlation between DID and a higher crime rate compared to the general population. Furthermore, the speaker contrasts punitive justice systems, like that in the US, with approaches in countries like Norway and Sweden, which favor rehabilitation and victim acknowledgment. Ultimately, the speaker concludes that the factors driving criminality lie in environmental deprivation—such as a lack of love, guidance, or emotional support in childhood, exemplified by Milligan's emotionally vacant upbringing—rather than inherent biological wiring or a pre-existing predisposition to violence.

### The Alter Ego Concept

- Defining 'alternate self' as synonymous with DID
- Tracing concept origin to Stevenson's 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'
- Explaining DID as involving two or more separate, typically unaware identities.

### The Case of William Stanley Milligan

- Milligan suffered from DID with 23 alters
- Alters committed armed robbery and rape at Ohio State University in the late 1970s
- Defense argued insanity based on alters committing crimes without the primary personality's awareness.

### Nature vs. Nurture in Crime

- Research shows DID sufferers do not have a statistically higher crime rate than the general population
- Citing B.F. Skinner's view that man is a product of environment, not solely biology
- Environmental factors like lack of love and guidance are key drivers.

### Justice Systems Comparison

- Contrasting the US focus on strict punishment (aiming to deter through harsh sentencing) with countries like Norway and Sweden
- Scandinavian countries prioritize rehabilitation and victim acknowledgment over pure retribution.

![Screenshot at 00:00: The speaker begins the presentation on stage, positioned centrally under a spotlight with large promotional letters \('HAFS'\) on a side table.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-00-00.png)
![Screenshot at 00:18: The speaker explicitly introduces the concept of 'alternate self' and its connection to literature like 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' and DID.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-00-18.png)
![Screenshot at 00:40: Visual reference to William Stanley Milligan's case, the most famous example of DID involving violent crimes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-00-40.png)
![Screenshot at 01:01: The speaker poses the question of what causes a criminal, transitioning from literary concepts to psychological/sociological factors.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-01-01.png)
![Screenshot at 02:32: The speaker emphasizes that DID is primarily a trauma-based condition, contrasting with biological determinism.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-02-32.png)
![Screenshot at 03:36: The presentation shifts to the role of nature versus nurture, referencing B.F. Skinner's environmentalist perspective on human behavior.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-03-36.png)
![Screenshot at 04:44: The speaker discusses the difference between punitive justice \(US approach\) and rehabilitative justice \(Norway/Sweden approach\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-04-44.png)
![Screenshot at 07:16: The speaker stresses that the horrific crimes committed by Milligan cannot be excused by childhood trauma alone, emphasizing accountability.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-07-16.png)
![Screenshot at 08:36: The speaker highlights that justice focused solely on punishment fails to address the root causes of criminal behavior.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-08-36.png)
![Screenshot at 10:09: The speaker concludes by emphasizing that South Korea needs to balance accountability with rehabilitation and understanding of upbringing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/z-FG84f2bn8/00-10-09.png)