Dick Hickock is a fine example of the "nature" side of the natures vs. nurture debate presented in Capote's novel. Dick was raised in a good family, with parents who loved him. It is said several times that he was talented in sports and that his parents loved him very much. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with his childhood, but he grows up to be a cold-hearted killer and criminal. After Dick was told he wouldn’t be able to attend college his world flipped upside down. Mr. Hickock when talking to agent Nye says, “I guess Dick resented it, not getting to go to college” (166). Clearly Dick wanted to go to college so badly, that when he didn’t get the chance to attend his world was completely thrown upside down. This causes a serious downhill progression for Dick as he is constantly in debt and has a gambling problem. This is a fine example of the nature vs. nurture argument. Dick grew up nurtured and with a pretty good childhood, this was all until he didn’t go to college and this is when he begins to walk on the nature side of the argument. After Dick doesn’t get what he wants, all of his actions become irrational. He makes his decisions without thinking and has no regard for other people, especially those who attended college. Dick Hickock transforms from a standout athlete and good student to a deranged and irrational individual in society.