Criminal Psychology

Criminal Psychology: The study of thoughts, feelings and intentions that contribute to
Criminal Psychologists
criminal behaviour. Criminal Profiling
 Look for cues of Predicts the characteristics of a
deception likely offender.
 Evaluates
mental capacity  Crime scene analysis
 Determines if  Analysis of victim’s life
criminals are  Similarities to other crimes
competent  Analysis of the motivation

Biological Psychological Social

 Inheritable traits
 Hormones such as testosterone
 Drug and alcohol consumption
 Imbalance of neurotransmitters
 Differences in brain anatomy
 Aggressiveness
 Controlling and a desire for power
 Masochistic
 Feelings of invincibility and arrogance
 Past experiences and/ or trauma
 Relationship with parents
 Cultural identity and customs
 Concepts of law
 Childhood raising practices
 Discrimination i.e. racism etc.
 Family structure
 Religious beliefs

Bowlby’s Theory
Psychopathy The MacDonald
Cruelty A child has an innate desire Triad
Lack of Impulse to form an attachment to
Control their care givers – usually
Lack of Empathy Low levels of
the mother.
Fearfor Control
Desire Lack of
attachment in the The Dark Triad
first two years of
life can increase
Convicted the chance of
Parent
criminality and
psychopathy.
Harsh Physical
Discipline Neglect

Possible The Polygraph

Causes of Micro Expressions
Psychopathy
Micro expressions are
Machine
Measures the physiological
responses associated with
Low
Disrupted attachment
very fast changes in increased arousal (Blood
Family Life between one’s face to depict
father and son Pressure, Heart Rate and
their true emotion
Galvanic Skin Response)
Low family
income
Control Irrelevant questions that
Galvanic Skin are asked to establish a
Questions baseline physiological
Response response.
Universal Emotions
The electrical Relevant Questions that are
relevant to the
conductivity of Questions investigation.
skin (sweat)