Characteristics of criminal behaviour

Characteristics of Criminal Behaviour

Definition and Nature of Crime

  • Crime is an act that violates a given set of legal regulations in a specific territory.
  • Different territories have different legal systems, hence, a behaviour deemed as criminal in one territory may not be treated the same in another.
  • Criminal behaviour may embody a spectrum of actions, such as theft, fraud, terrorist activities, homicide, and more.

Psychological Approaches to Understanding Crime

Bio-Psychological Perspectives

  • Considers the interplay of biological and psychological factors in the development of criminal behaviour.
  • Studies suggest that there exists certain genetic predispositions towards criminal behaviour.
  • Other lines of bio-psychological research involve neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing to assess brain behaviour correlations.

Psychoanalytical Perspectives

  • Rooted in Freudian theories, it suggests criminal behaviour stems from imbalances between id, ego, and superego, resulting in maladaptive defence mechanisms.
  • Unresolved conflicts from psychosexual development stages might also contribute to criminal behaviour.

Behavioural and Cognitive Perspectives

  • Behaviourists believe that criminal behaviour is learned through a process of conditioning and reinforcement.
  • Cognitive theorists emphasise on faulty or irrational thought patterns leading to criminal behaviour.

Social and Environmental Factors

  • Argues that socio-economic status, educational background, family history, and peer influence impact an individual’s likelihood to engage in criminal behaviour.
  • Can be regarded from the perspective of Strain Theory and Social Learning Theory.

Risk Factors in Criminal Behaviour

Early life risk factors

  • Includes harsh and inconsistent discipline in family, including neglect and abuse.
  • Exposure to criminal behaviour in the immediate family.

Personal Risk Factors

  • Includes low intelligence and social competence, mental health issues, impulsiveness and daring, and early involvement in drug and alcohol use.

Social Risk Factors

  • Includes peer rejection, associations with criminal adults, living in areas marked by high crime rates or drug trade activities.

Protective Factors

  • Factors that can help to mitigate the risk of criminal behaviour include strong social support, positive school experiences, and having stable relationships and employment.

Modelling and Reinforcement

  • Crime is often learned through a process called modelling, where individuals adopt behaviours they observe in others, especially when these behaviours are seen being rewarded.
  • The use of reward and punishment (or lack thereof) can reinforce or deter criminal behaviour.
  • Both factors are central to Bandura’s Social Learning Theory.