Criminal psychology

Criminal Psychology is a subfield of psychology that involves the study of the thoughts, intentions, actions and reactions of criminals and those who engage in criminal behavior. Criminal psychology is related to the field of criminal anthropology, which studies the relationship between criminal behavior and biological factors.

Overview

Criminal psychology encompasses a range of topics that relate to crime, from the mental health of criminals to the mental states that make certain individuals more prone to criminal behavior. It involves the study of the psychological mechanisms that underpin criminal behavior, as well as the specific psychological processes that criminals use to select, perpetrate and get away with crimes.

History

The field of criminal psychology has been in existence for centuries, with early references to the use of psychological techniques in criminal investigations dating back to the 18th century. However, it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that criminal psychology became a recognized discipline, with the establishment of the first psychological laboratories and the publication of key texts on the subject.

Key Concepts

Criminal psychology is based on several key concepts, including:

• Psychopathy: This is a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits.

• Mental Illness: Many criminals suffer from some form of mental illness, which can contribute to their criminal behavior.

• Criminal Profiling: This is a technique used by law enforcement agencies to identify likely suspects and analyze patterns that may predict future offenses.

• Forensic Psychology: This is the intersection between psychology and the justice system. It involves understanding criminal law in the relevant jurisdictions in order to be able to interact appropriately with judges, attorneys and other legal professionals.

See Also

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminal Profiling
• Psychopathy
• Mental Illness