Module 6 explores the interaction between psychological factors and criminal behavior. The examination between psychology and crime provides an opportunity to consider how individual psychological characteristics, experiences, and processes can contribute to the commission of criminal acts. The field of forensic psychology focuses on understanding how psychological principles can shed light on the causes of crime, the motivations of offenders, and the impact of crime on victims and society. It also examines the application of psychological knowledge in the criminal justice system to better understand and address deviance and criminal behavior. It’s important to note that while psychology can provide valuable insights into criminal behavior, it is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Criminal behavior is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon influenced by social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors, in addition to individual psychological traits. The integration of psychological knowledge with other disciplines, such as sociology, criminology, and law, is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of crime and the development of effective strategies for crime prevention, intervention, and justice.

Summary

The psychology of crime is the study of the psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior, including the motivations, thoughts, emotions, and personality traits of individuals involved in illegal activities. This field of study seeks to understand why some individuals engage in criminal acts while others do not and how psychological factors interact with social, environmental, and cultural influences to shape criminal behavior.

Certain personality traits have been associated with an increased likelihood of criminal behavior. Traits such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking, low empathy, aggressiveness, and a lack of conscience or guilt (associated with psychopathy) have been linked to criminal conduct.

Cognitive factors play a role in criminal behavior. Deficits in decision-making, problem-solving skills, and executive functions can lead individuals to engage in criminal acts as a way of addressing their problems or achieving their goals.

Mental health issues can be relevant to criminal behavior, particularly in cases of severe disorders like antisocial personality disorder, conduct disorder, or substance use disorders. However, it is essential to recognize that most people with mental health issues are not involved in criminal activities.

Adverse childhood experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can significantly impact an individual’s likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior later in life. Early trauma can affect brain development and lead to maladaptive coping strategies.

The social learning theory suggests that individuals learn behaviors, including criminal ones, through observation and imitation of others. Exposure to criminal role models or environments can contribute to the adoption of criminal behavior.

Family influences, such as inconsistent discipline, family conflict, or a lack of parental supervision, can impact an individual’s likelihood of engaging in criminal conduct. A dysfunctional family environment may contribute to the development of delinquent behavior.

Peer relationships and social networks can play a significant role in criminal behavior. Association with delinquent peers can reinforce criminal attitudes and behavior, leading to further involvement in criminal activities.

Substance abuse can impair judgment and increase the likelihood of engaging in criminal acts to obtain drugs or maintain an addiction.

Advances in neuroscience have shown that brain structure and functioning can influence behavior, including criminal conduct. Abnormalities in certain brain regions may be associated with increased aggression or impulsivity.

The psychology of crime is a complex and multidimensional field that considers various individual and environmental factors. It’s essential to understand that criminal behavior is the result of an intricate interplay between biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. By integrating psychological knowledge with other disciplines, policymakers and practitioners can develop more effective prevention and intervention strategies to address criminal behavior and promote public safety. Moreover, understanding the psychological aspects of crime can also contribute to efforts aimed at rehabilitation and reducing recidivism among offenders.

Test Your Knowledge

Print a copy of the following worksheet and bring it to class! As an alternative, complete the worksheet while you read through the summary located above: Worksheet

Key Terms/Concepts

Click on the following key term/concept to view the definition:

Albert Bandura (1925-2021)
Antisocial Personality
Attachment Theory
Behavioral Theory
Behavioral Conditioning
Behaviorism
Big Five Model of Personality
Charles Goring (1870-1919)
Cognitive Theory
Cyberpsychology
Gabriel Tarde (1843-1904)
Human Genome Project (HGP)
Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987)
Maladaptation
Modeling Theory
Psychoanalytic Perspective
Psychopath
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Trait Theory

Psychological Positivism

Read, Review, Watch and Listen

1. Read Chapter 31: Psychological Theories of Crime by John W. Clark, Troy University (Clark, 2009)

• Print a copy or have access to this reading via a digital device for in class review and discussion.
• To support the student’s reading of the article, they can listen to a recorded version of the same. Note that listening to the article is not a substitute for a careful and directed reading of the document

This chapter:

• explores the major psychological theories of crime, highlighting psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive theories to explain criminal behavior through personality, intelligence, and learning processes.
• explains how psychodynamic theory suggests early childhood experiences, including neglect or lack of nurturing, can lead to weakened personality structures that may contribute to criminal tendencies.
• delves into behavioral theory, emphasizing that criminal behavior is often a learned response, influenced by family interactions, environmental experiences, and exposure to violent media.
• discusses cognitive theory, focusing on how flawed information processing and impaired moral development may hinder individuals’ ability to make ethical decisions, potentially leading to criminal behavior.
• examines the relationship between personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, and criminal behavior, as well as the controversial link between intelligence and crime within the nature-versus-nurture debate.

2. Read WPO’s More Children Are Depressed and Anxious. Is Social Media Really Behind It? Lawmakers have proposed restrictions, but some scientists say it is hard to tell if they will help (Nidhi Subbaraman, October 15 2024).

a. There is growing concerns among lawmakers, parents, and health experts about the potential link between social media use and rising levels of depression and anxiety among children and teenagers.

b. Although many attribute youth mental health issues to social media, experts find it difficult to determine the exact impact due to numerous influencing factors, making it hard to isolate social media as a primary cause.

c. The recent legislative efforts aimed at restricting children’s access to social media to protect their mental health, though some scientists argue that these restrictions might limit important social connections for young people.

d. The complexities in studying social media’s impact on mental health, as platforms frequently update features, and access to critical data is often limited, complicating efforts for thorough, long-term research.

e. While social media companies have implemented safety features for young users, they are still facing lawsuits and criticism for allegedly creating addictive products that could harm youth mental health, with some states seeking further legal action.

3. Review Saul Mcleod’s Operant Conditioning: What It Is, How It Works, And Examples (Simply Psychology, June 2023)

a. Operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, is a learning process where behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them, encouraging or discouraging specific actions.

b. In operant conditioning, reinforcement is used to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, with positive reinforcement adding a desirable stimulus (like a reward) and negative reinforcement removing an unpleasant one (such as stopping an annoying sound).

c. Punishment, another key element, is used to decrease the likelihood of a behavior, with positive punishment introducing an unpleasant stimulus (like a scolding) and negative punishment taking away a desired item (such as a toy).

d. Skinner identified schedules of reinforcement — fixed, variable, interval, and ratio — which affect how quickly and strongly a behavior is learned based on the timing and frequency of reinforcement.

e. Through operant conditioning, Skinner demonstrated that behavior is not merely a response to stimuli but can be shaped and controlled by carefully manipulating consequences, establishing a foundational concept in behavior psychology.

4. Review Saul Mcleod’s Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment On Social Learning (Simply Psychology, June 2023)

a. Albert Bandura developed a comprehensive social cognition theory of aggression that depends on cognitive processes for its explanatory power.

b. Everyone is capable of aggression but must learn how to behave aggressively.

c. Central to his theory are the ideas of observation, imitation, and modeling. People learn to act (aggressively or otherwise) by observing others, either in person or in the media.

5. Review Kendra Cherry’s What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits? Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (verywell mind, March 2023)

a. Hans Eysenck explained crime as the result of fundamental personality characteristics or traits, which he believed are largely inherited.

b. He believed the degree to which three universal super-traits are present in an individual accounts for his or her unique personality.

c. Termed these super-traits introversion/extraversion; neuroticism/emotional stability; psychoticism – people who score high on any of these are not easily socialized or conditioned and commit more crime in adulthood.

d. Psychoticism thought to be closely correlated with criminality at all stages.

e. Today, trait theories of personality have expanded to the Five Factor Model with five basic traits: openness to experience, extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and agreeableness.

6. Review NBC News’ The shape of your brain may strongly influence your thoughts and behavior, study finds (Bendix, A. , May 21, 2023) [last accessed July 2023]

7. Watch Social Learning Theory: Bandura’s Bobo Beatdown Experiments (Sprouts, 2022)

a. Social learning theory suggests that all behaviors, including crime, are learned in much the same way, involving the acquisition of norms, values, and patterns of behavior conducive to crime, so that crime is a product of the social environment rather than an innate characteristic of some individuals.

8. Watch Psychoanalytic Theory (Khan Academy, 2015)

a. Psychoanalytic theory, based on the work of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), suggests that criminal behavior is maladaptive, the result of inadequacies inherent in the offender’s personality which is formed by early childhood experiences that influence his or her likelihood for committing future crimes.

b. Psychoanalysis suggests that one possible cause of crime may be a poorly developed superego, which leaves the individual operating without a moral guide.

9. Watch TEDx Talks (May 2016), Brian Boutwell: The Future of Criminology Saint Louis University [14:34] (TED, 2021) – also embedded below.

10. Watch and Review How Sociopaths Are Different from Psychopaths by Marcia Purse (verywell mind, November 2022)

a. The concept of the psychopathic personality was developed by Hervey Cleckley, who described a psychopath as a “moral idiot,” with poverty of affect as the central defining characteristic.

b. There are several different types of psychopaths, including sociopaths, who are born with a normal personality but develop psychopathic characteristics due to personal experiences early in life.

c. Today, the terms “psychopath” and “sociopath” have fallen out of favor and have been replaced by the concept of antisocial personality.

11.  Watch JCS’ What Pretending to be crazy looks like (May 2021)

12. Watch Psychopath Child (AP Psychology, August 2013)

The Future of Criminology Saint Louis University

Discussion Questions

1. How does the development of the id, ego, and superego influence deviant and/or criminal behavior?
2. How does social learning theory explain the acquisition of violent and aggressive behavior?
3. What are the three primary sources of behavior modeling according to Bandura?
4. How does moral development theory account for the different stages of moral reasoning?
5. What are some factors that may impair the information-processing abilities of criminal offenders?
6. How does the Big Five model of personality measure individual differences in personality?
7. What are some personality traits that are correlated with delinquent and criminal behavior?
8. What are the arguments for and against the nature-versus-nurture debate in relation to intelligence and crime?

Supplemental Resources

• The Moral Sense Test: How do you decide between right and wrong?
• Treating Antisocial Personality Disorder (Psych Central, 2023)
• “Psychopathic Child” AP Psychology (Hacker, C., August 2013)
• National Human Genome Research Institute’s Fact Sheet: Human Genome Project (NIH, 2023).

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