Criminology: Psychological Theories and Criminal Behavior Analysis

This report explores the psychological approach to criminology, examining how psychological theories explain criminal behavior. It highlights key assumptions, such as the impact of upbringing, environmental factors, and psychological disorders on an individual's propensity for crime. The report discusses the role of antisocial behavior, media influence, and personality traits in contributing to criminal actions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological underpinnings of crime, including the influence of mental disorders and the development of aggressive tendencies, and the various psychological theories and concepts. The report also includes references to relevant literature to support the analysis of psychological factors associated with criminal behavior.

Running head: CRIMINOLOGY
CRIMINOLOGY
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Author Note

1CRIMINOLOGY
Psychological Approach to Crime
The study of criminology includes the researchers to finding the reasons for commitment of
crime among individuals and the reasons which make criminals different from others. For
determining the reasons for criminal behaviour among individual psychological theories are
used (Reid, 2015). The study of criminal psychology includes the study of various thoughts,
intentions, views and actions of an individual that constitutes criminal behaviour (Bartol &
Bartol, 2014). According to the psychological theories the behaviour of an individual
committing crime can be observed as being the result of the thoughts and feelings of the
individuals. According to the psychological the reason for antisocial of criminal behaviour
among individuals are are result of lack of education, poor parenting, antisocial beliefs,
influence of the media and low IQ. Four assumptions can be made for the application of
psychological theories in criminal behaviour. The first assumption is that as some of the
individuals did not develop in a way normal people do therefore they tend to get into trouble
more than any normal individual would. The second assumption that is made is that
individuals have a more likely tendency to become aggressive or violent if they grow up in an
environment which is surrounded by aggression or violence or both. Another assumption is
the relation of psychological disorders with criminality. As per this assumption many
individuals committing crime have one or other kind of mental disorders. Although not all
criminals have psychological disorders or mental illnesses yet there are many instances where
the criminals were found to be having psychological disorders. Another assumption is that
certain traits in the personality of an individual can lead them towards criminality (Lanier,
2018).

2CRIMINOLOGY
Reference
Bartol, A. M., & Bartol, C. R. (2014). Criminal behavior: A psychological approach. Boston:
Pearson, c2014. xxiii, 644 pages: illustrations; 24 cm..
Lanier, M. M. (2018). Essential criminology. Routledge.
Reid, S. T. (2015). Crime and criminology. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.