In the transition from classical criminology to positivist criminology, trait theories began to emerge. Trait theories developed from scientific facts, and have a cause and effect backbone. There is usually a trait or personal attribute that influences decision making. Among trait theories, there are many explanations of traits, ranging from biological to psychological. This paper will focus on the psychological traits associated with criminal behavior, along with providing empirical evidence that supports this theory’s use as a tool to explain why crimes happen.
Psychological trait theories were founded on the psychodynamic perspective. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychodynamic theory, believed that all individuals had a three-part human …show more content…
Johnson et al. conducted a longitudinal study to explore the idea that personality disorders during adolescence are associated with high-risk, violent behavior during adolescence and early adulthood. A sample of 717 youths from upstate New York were interviewed to assess for Axis I and II personality disorders and violent behavior (Johnson et al.) The results shows that adolescences with a greater number of DSM-IV personality disorder symptoms were more likely than others to commit violent behaviors (Johnson et al.). Another study done by Carla Sharp and Salome Vanwoerden compares the relationship of psychopathic traits and the theory of mind functioning comprising of top-down and bottom-up processing. Three hundred forty-two adolescents completed the Movie assessment for Social Cognition and The Child Eyes test to measure psychopathic traits and theory of mind functioning (Sharp and Vanwoerden). The results showed that there is a relationship between psychopathic traits and impairment of both top-down and bottom-up processes of theory of mind (Sharp and Vanwoerden). The results from this study demonstrate that psychopathic traits cause individuals to use poor judgment, and lack the ability to empathize, which are all traits that lead to criminal …show more content…
According to the American Psychological Association, studies have been conducted to disprove the link between criminal behavior and mental illness. Jillian Peterson, the lead researcher on this study, concluded that there were no predictable patterns linking criminal behavior and mental illness. Peterson states that mental illnesses could contribute to the crimes but not solely cause it (American Psychological Association). The psychological trait theory is highly criticized for being unscientific; for example critics say that the way IQ is measured is invalid and cannot accurately predict criminal behavior. The American Psychological Association has concluded that the relationship between crime and IQ is very low (Siegel).
Even though these are valid arguments against the psychological trait theory, the evidence supporting the theory is strong and valid as well. The information gathered from empirical studies, have thoroughly explained the psychological trait theory as a suitable predictor of criminal
Psychological trait theories were founded on the psychodynamic perspective. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychodynamic theory, believed that all individuals had a three-part human …show more content…
Johnson et al. conducted a longitudinal study to explore the idea that personality disorders during adolescence are associated with high-risk, violent behavior during adolescence and early adulthood. A sample of 717 youths from upstate New York were interviewed to assess for Axis I and II personality disorders and violent behavior (Johnson et al.) The results shows that adolescences with a greater number of DSM-IV personality disorder symptoms were more likely than others to commit violent behaviors (Johnson et al.). Another study done by Carla Sharp and Salome Vanwoerden compares the relationship of psychopathic traits and the theory of mind functioning comprising of top-down and bottom-up processing. Three hundred forty-two adolescents completed the Movie assessment for Social Cognition and The Child Eyes test to measure psychopathic traits and theory of mind functioning (Sharp and Vanwoerden). The results showed that there is a relationship between psychopathic traits and impairment of both top-down and bottom-up processes of theory of mind (Sharp and Vanwoerden). The results from this study demonstrate that psychopathic traits cause individuals to use poor judgment, and lack the ability to empathize, which are all traits that lead to criminal …show more content…
According to the American Psychological Association, studies have been conducted to disprove the link between criminal behavior and mental illness. Jillian Peterson, the lead researcher on this study, concluded that there were no predictable patterns linking criminal behavior and mental illness. Peterson states that mental illnesses could contribute to the crimes but not solely cause it (American Psychological Association). The psychological trait theory is highly criticized for being unscientific; for example critics say that the way IQ is measured is invalid and cannot accurately predict criminal behavior. The American Psychological Association has concluded that the relationship between crime and IQ is very low (Siegel).
Even though these are valid arguments against the psychological trait theory, the evidence supporting the theory is strong and valid as well. The information gathered from empirical studies, have thoroughly explained the psychological trait theory as a suitable predictor of criminal