Some personality traits escalate the risk of engaging in criminal activities.
I came across an insightful systematic review conducted by N K Tharshini et al.(https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168663)
They stipulated three major personality traits that contribute towards criminal behaviour: psychopathy, low self-control, and difficult temperament. Which personality trait do you think is the best predictor of criminal behaviour?
1. Aggression
Aggression is defined as a behavior where someone attacks others without provocation. There are many different types of aggression including physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual. Physical aggression includes hitting, kicking, biting, and punching. Verbal aggression includes yelling, screaming, swearing, and insulting. Emotional aggression includes being angry, hostile, and resentful. Sexual aggression includes rape, incest, and child molestation.
2. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of empathy, impulsivity, irresponsibility, and deceitfulness. People with antisocial personality disorder have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They often lie, cheat, steal, and manipulate people. They may even break the law.
3. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable moods, intense anger, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. People with borderline personality disorder tend to feel empty inside and experience extreme highs and lows. They may have problems trusting others and may act out violently.
4. Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is characterized by repeated lying, stealing, and breaking rules. Children who exhibit conduct disorder often engage in aggressive behaviors toward themselves and others.
5. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
People with narcissistic personality disorder are extremely egocentric and believe they are superior to others. They are arrogant, boastful, and demanding. They are obsessed with grandiosity and crave admiration. They are not able to empathize with others.
6. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and unusual beliefs. Symptoms vary depending on the type of schizophrenia.
7. Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is any use of illegal drugs or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol affect the brain and alter its function. Many people who abuse substances do so because they want to change how they feel. However, substance abuse can lead to serious consequences.
Thanks for sharing this informative review.
What I find striking is the notion that while we can't diagnose certain criminal traits like psychopathy in children, nevertheless we can see patterns emerging that could potentially blossom into psychopathy given time.
So the authors suggestions are completely correct when they say:
Other interesting features include impulsivity and low self-control which could also contribute to criminality. So interventions that build these qualities may also help in preventing future criminality. Unfortunately it must be difficult when dealing with an adult since a lot of habits become ingrained.
So the earlier the intervention the better the outcome potentially will be.