While assessing risk can assist probation officers in learning how to monitor an individual, it is only a small part of an algebraic equation that can be used to help change the criminal mindset. The second part of the assessment tool involves identifying criminogenic needs. As discussed earlier, these are traits that a person possesses that can lead to criminal behavior. There are a few schools of thought on this matter. One study found a person could possess up to eight traits, while others identified that a person can possess up to six.
For the purposes of this article, we will focus on six:. Anti-social values: This is also known as criminal thinking. It includes criminal rationalization or the belief that their criminal behavior was justified. Individuals possessing this trait often blame others for their negative behavior, and show a lack of remorse. Criminal Peers: Individuals with this trait often have peers that are associated with criminal activities.
Most are often involved with substance abuse including drugs or alcohol. Peer influence often persuades the individual to engage in criminal behavior. They will also typically present with a lack of pro-social community involvement. Anti-social personality: These traits often include atypical behavior conducted prior to the age of fifteen and can include, running away, skipping school, fighting, possessing weapons, lying, stealing and damage to either animals or property.
Dysfunctional family: One of the most common traits includes a lack of family support, both emotionally and otherwise. More often than not, they are also involved with criminal activity.
The mindset is of the here and now, and not on the consequences of the behavior. There is often an increased tolerance to substances, in addition to an inability to stop use. A normal assessment process can take approximately sixty day to complete; any more or less can lead to inaccurate results that may be skewed. Once an officer has an idea of the risk level and has identified the criminogenic traits involved, they can begin the supervision using appropriate tactics that will help motivate the individual to be successful, but also hold them accountable by using appropriate sanctions to correct negative behavior during the entire course of supervision.
In Part II of this article, we will discuss some possible ways to enhance motivation, in addition to identifying a few of the appropriate methods of addressing accountability to ensure compliance with court ordered sanctions. What would you do to help reduce recidivism? Are you already practicing similar tactics? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. Stay tuned for Part II, where we will discuss the process of how to move forward once a risk assessment has been completed.
Greater delinquent participation was associated with a personality configuration characterized by high-negative emotionality the tendency to experience aversive affective states and weak constraint difficulty in impulse control. They were asked to complete questionnaires, assessing distress and restraint relating to personality characteristics. Results indicate a significant association between self-reported levels of distress and restraint prior to criminal behavior as well as behavior during incarceration.
In a study of criminals by Bhojak, et al. Weak ego strength was noted among juvenile delinquents Dhila and Yagnik, [ 17 ] and criminals Bhardwaj, Dayal, et al.
He described that criminals had a lower self-esteem and social esteem indicating a lack of self-regard, thus exhibit neurotic traits such as anxiety, irritability, hostility, maladjustment, and insecurity. He reported considerable depression among married female prisoners. He found that female convicts were suffering from feelings of anxiety, guilt, insecurity, and low self-esteem. A study conducted by Bhosle on a sample of 69 female convicts revealed that the inmates were found to be maladjusted in marital life and relations.
Offenders group comprised convicted prisoners for different crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery, selected from Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, based on a purposive sampling.
The convicted offenders group obtained significantly lower scores on EI compared to normal controls. The role of various sociodemographic variables in substance abusers, which affected their criminal behavior, was also studied and it was found that personality characteristics of the substance abusers differed significantly from the normal controls, and the number of variables including occupational status, socioeconomic status, family history of substance use, and type of substance abuse significantly correlated with the criminal behavior in the substance abusers.
Results indicated that four psychological traits: Personality traits, low self-control, aggressive behavior, and cognitive distortion act as the major psychological factor underlying criminal behavior within an individual. Crimes vary in degree of severity according to the severity of the punishment. Crimes are generally graded into three categories: a Summary - It is relatively minor crime. Punishment is usually a monetary fine and short period of jail time a few days up to a few months b Misdemeanors - It is less serious crime, lower level of intent to kill or harm to any specific victim or society, punishable by jail time of 1 year or less.
The fundamental distinction between felonies and misdemeanors depends on the penalty and the power of imprisonment. Here, in the present study, criminals from the last two categories were included. The aim and objective of this study was to examine the relation between personality traits and criminal behavior, and to determine whether such personality traits are predictive of future recidivism.
A sample of 37 male, convicted criminals of district jail of Dhanbad Jharkhand was included in this study on a purposive sampling basis. Their crimes were of different kinds such as murder, rape, theft, kidnapping, forgery, dowry death, and dacoity as per the Indian Penal Code. The age ranges from 20 to 65 years mean age — In socioeconomics, three categories, i. The average family income of the 37 criminals was Rs. In control group, 37 normal controls were taken from the general population noncriminal.
A designed pro forma was used to collect sociodemographic variables. It is an objective scorable test devised by Cattel in It measures the 16 dimensions of the personality, and all the 16 factors are bipolar. After obtaining permission from the concerned authorities, the criminals were interviewed and the tests were administered after establishing a good rapport with them.
Mean and standard deviation of Sten scores of criminal and normal controls for 16 personality dimensions. Studies from outside of India strongly suggest how personality influences criminal activity. In this connection, we can quote the study of Lombrosso — , who is regarded as the father of criminology, developed a theory that some people are genetically closer to their primate ancestors than others; he proposed that some people are born with an innate predisposition to criminality and antisocial behavior.
Further, he concluded that criminals had distinguishing physical features that set them apart from noncriminal population. High score on H factor indicates criminals' thick skinniness that enables them to face wear and tear in dealing with people and grueling emotional situations, carelessness, have a tendency to ignore danger signals, actively interested in the opposite sex, always ready to try new things, and abundant in emotional response [ Table 1 ].
High score on I factor indicates that criminals have a tendency to be tender minded, daydreaming, sensitive, sometimes demanding of attention and help, and impractical [ Table 1 ]. Again high score on Q3 factor shows criminals tend to have strong control of their emotions, and the general behavior is inclined to be socially aware and careful [ Table 1 ].
Low score on B, F, N, and Q4 factors revealed their below average level of intelligence, restrained tendency, unsophisticated, sentimental, sometimes crude and awkward behavior, and tends to be relaxed and satisfied [ Table 1 ]. Although criminals did not differ much from normal controls on factor C, their low score on this scale revealed their tendency to be emotionally less stable [ Table 1 ].
These findings can also be seen at a glance in the graph [ Figure 1 ]. This finding is consistent with the previous studies that were done by Caspi et al. Exploring the Why of Whitey : There have been several books written about notorious Boston mobster Whitey Bulger, as scholars, law enforcement, and psychologists try to understand the man behind a crime ring.
This article examines how bribery and corruption can grow deep roots. A Columbia professor developed a scale with gradations of evil. In the Mind of a Serial Killer : This article attempts to define the characteristics of a serial killer.
Criminal Profiling: The Reality Behind the Myth : Popular TV shows have given the public some false impressions of what criminal profiling is really like. Catching Killers : This video explains how profilers use psychology to find killers.
Inside the Mind of a Criminal : This article discusses what neuroimaging tells us about criminal brains. Are Criminals Born or Made? What Makes a Criminal Mind Different? A look at the physical characteristics of the criminal brain demonstrates key differences from non-criminals. Criminal Profiling and Understanding the Criminal Mind : Learn how the field of profiling began and what tactics profilers use to study criminals.
The Criminal Brain : This study delves into the topic of whether criminals are created by biological or environmental factors. It also describes the criminal perspective and consciousness. Secrets of the Criminal Mind : This professor believes that we must fight crime with biology.
Hacking the Mind of a Hacker : Cybercriminals belong to a league of their own. Learn more about the minds behind elaborate hacking schemes and cybercrimes. Here are some snippets that you may find interesting: Don't assume criminals are stupid! Many effective criminals are not stupid at all and are very good at their 'job'. Some of the offenders interviewed in this research had committed over 1, burglaries.
They got caught in the end, but that is still an awful lot of successful thefts. Criminals can be surprisingly observant. They may notice things that most people will ignore. This can guide their targeting: which house to burgle and which house to leave. Being aware of this approach can help you to make your house and your property less appealing. See below. Criminals differ, just like everyone else.
One criminal will have different priorities and fears to another so don't assume they are all the same. Some criminals will carry more tools and will target specific things, such as high value bicycles or motorcycles.
Others are looking for anything they can sell quickly at the pub. The more aware you are and the better your security is, the fewer and fewer thieves are able to steal your property. House burglars assess risk in a variety of ways, but the following from this research gives some clues how some of them think: Corner houses are particularly vulnerable. Different thieves have different ideas, but targeting corner houses is one approach that is very popular amongst them. If you live in a corner house, you may be best advised to increase your security and be more aware that you are more likely to be on their radar.
Low fences and hedges between back gardens make access easy for thieves. Footpaths between houses can help thieves, particularly footpaths that lead somewhere rather than those that are just a dead-end. Thieves feel less likely to be challenged if they are walking along a footpath towards some shops, for example. Dead-end alleyways and enclosed paths help a thief with concealment, but they can also make thieves feel vulnerable.
One burglar in this research actually avoided enclosed alleys because he thought he might be robbed there! Cul-de-sac roads are generally not so attractive for thieves if they have to use the same route to leave as to enter.
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