Why do people break the law? Understanding the criminal mind.
In short: Historically, criminals were viewed as fundamentally different from the rest of society. Today, however, modern thinking has shifted. By studying the individual state of mind, psychologists can help us understand why people break rules and, more importantly, how we might successfully rehabilitate them.
Criminology is a vast academic field that encompasses everything from criminal law and jurisprudence to the study of social identity and deviance. In 1959, researcher Jeffery identified three distinct problems within the field: detecting lawbreakers, managing and treating offenders through penology, and scientifically explaining why crime exists within a society. This distinction is vital because, as Jeffery noted, the reason people behave in certain ways is a separate question from why that specific behavior is legally classified as criminal. This field includes the study of deviance and social identity. It also involves the study of criminal law and jurisprudence.
While some schools of criminology, such as the Classical or Chicago schools, focus on how political structures, laws, and urban environments influence crime rates, the psychological approach takes a different path. This is often referred to as the 'positive school' of criminology. Rather than looking at social or legal frameworks, this perspective focuses on the individual state of mind—examining both normal and abnormal mental functions to understand what makes a person more or less likely to violate the law. This method examines models of mental function. It looks at both normal and abnormal psychological states.
By integrating psychology and psychiatry into criminology, experts can move beyond seeing criminals as simply 'other.' This interdisciplinary approach provides essential tools for crime prevention and the development of interventions. Instead of merely focusing on punishment, the psychological perspective offers insights into behavioral change and rehabilitation, seeking to understand the complex relationship between the rule-breaker, the offence, and the law itself. This approach assists in understanding criminal risk. It also supports effective methods for behavioural change.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Criminal Mind: The relationships between criminology and psychology - Professor Gwen Adshead
- Also: The Criminal Mind: The relationships between criminology and psychology
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