Explain the relationship between personality and criminal behavior.

 Psychiatric Theories

Most early psychological theories emphasized either behavioral conditioning or personality disturbances and diseases of the mind. The concept of the psychopath or sociopath was developed by Hervey Cleckley. Currently, these terms have fallen out of favor and have been replaced by the concept of antisocial personality.

Individuals with the characteristics of an antisocial personality are likely to become criminals at some point. Another theory emphasizing personality characteristics was developed by Hans Eysenck. Eysenck described three personality dimensions (psychoticism, extroversion, and neuroticism), each with links to criminality. He stated that personality traits were dependent on the autonomic nervous system; those whose nervous systems require stimulation are more likely to become offenders.

· Explain the relationship between personality and criminal behavior.

· Recognize the importance of learning theory to an understanding of criminality.

· Distinguish between the different insanity tests and rules and understand the concept of being found not guilty by reason of insanity.

· Recognize how the process of social interaction between people contributes to criminal behavior.

· Identify and discuss the social process theories including learning theory, social control theory, labeling theory and reintegrative shaming theories.

· Distinguish between the social process theories.