A critical evaluation of the relationship between personality, intelligence, and crime

Abstract

This study critically examines the relationship between personality, intelligence and crime. The extent to which psychological factors contribute to the understanding, explaining and predicting criminal behaviour is evaluated. In the light of models and academic perspectives on personality and intelligence, the study addresses the assumptions that personality traits such as psychoticism, neuroticism, extraversion and low intelligence levels/IQ scores increase the likelihood of committing crime. It is emphasized that although certain personality traits and low intelligence are associated with crime, they are not entirely determinant of crime and delinquency. The importance of social, cultural, economic and environmental factors, as well as education and social environment, in shaping criminal behaviour is discussed, and it is argued that these external conditions may be more influential in the criminal process than individual psychological characteristics. In addition, the methodological difficulties of models in the field of personality and intelligence are discussed, and the need for more comprehensive research approaches is expressed. It is concluded that multifaceted and holistic perspectives integrating psychological and sociological factors are essential for developing crime prevention and intervention strategies. Finally, it is suggested that future crime studies adopt more holistic methodologies that consider the interaction between individual characteristics and social influences.