Family Risk Factors Associated with Criminal Behavior
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Although all criminal cases are unique, there are some common risk factors that may contribute to the occurrence and development of criminal behavior. These factors include personality characteristics, biological factors, and social interactions. All these factors do not operate in isolation, but permanently interact with one another.
Personality characteristics may be considered of being one of the main factors affecting criminal behavior as every person has his/her own beliefs and values, and acts with accordance with them. Thus, it is incorrect to state that someone’s criminal behavior is caused exclusively by the external factors. There is also a significant IQ difference between offenders and non-offenders. Some researchers suggest that this difference may be larger than typically reported 8-10 points (Walsh, 2006, p. 171).
Biological factors are also comparatively significant. There are three main sub-groups of factors in this respect. They include neuro-biology, genetics, and neuro-transmitters (Ministry of Justice, 2009a, p. 1). Neuro-biology analyzes the relationship between the structure of the brain and actual or potential criminal behavior. Genetics analyzes inherited aspects that may contribute to illegal behavior. There are different opinions among scientists and experts regarding the influence of genetic factors. Neuro-transmitters allow understanding the impact of hormones on potential criminal behavior. Some impulsive crimes may be related to the influence of neuro-transmitters.
Social interactions affect criminal behavior in a number of ways. Social interactions include such sub-groups as education, economic factors, drugs, and community (Ministry of Justice, 2009b, pp. 2-3). Inadequate level of parental education may contribute to a higher likelihood of criminal behavior. Moreover, economic aspects including unemployment may seriously affect the crime level. In fact, economic factors are particularly influential during global economic recessions. There is a positive correlation between the use of drugs and criminal behavior. Community may also influence illegal behavior of some people. It is difficult to measure this factor, but it seems to be significant, as well.
Thus, there are a large number of risk factors that may directly and indirectly influence criminal behavior.
References
Ministry of Justice. (2009a). Biological risk factors for involvement in crime. Strategic Policy Brief. Retrieved from http://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector/drivers-of-crime/publications-and-background-information/documents/spb-biological-risk-factors
Ministry of Justice. (2009b). Social risk factors for involvement in crime. Strategic Policy Brief. Retrieved from http://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector/drivers-of-crime/publications-and-background-information/documents/spb-social-risk-factors
Walsh, A. (2006). Psychological theories: Individual traits and criminal behavior. Criminology: An interdisciplinary approach. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/13434_Walsh_Chapter_7.pdf
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