1. Larry J. Siegel
www.cengage.com/cj/siegel
Chapter Five
Trait Theory
Valerie Bell • University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2. Trait Theory
• Development of Trait Theory
– Trait Theory
• The view that criminality is a product of abnormal
biological or psychological traits.
– Sociobiology
• The view that human behavior is motivated by
inborn biological urges to survive and preserve the
species.
– Contemporary Trait Theory
7. Trait Theory
• Evaluation of the Biological Branch of
Trait Theory
– Problems
• Explaining geographic, social, and temporal
patterns in the crime rate
• Explaining existence of crime across differing
individuals
8. Trait Theory
• The Psychological Trait View
– The Psychodynamic Perspective
• Id
• Ego
• Superego
– Attachment Theory
9. Trait Theory
• The Behavioral Perspective: Social
Learning Theory
– Behavior Modeling
• Family interactions
• Environmental experiences
• Mass media
– Social learning
10. Trait Theory
• Cognitive Theory
– Information Processing Theory
• Mental perception
• Faulty reasoning
11. Trait Theory
• Personality and Crime
– Hans Eysenck
• Psychoticism, Extraversion, Neuroticism
• Extreme extroverts or introverts at risk for
antisocial behavior
– Psychopathic Personality
• Antisocial personality
13. Trait Theory
• Mental Disorders and Crime
– Crime and Mental Illness
• Mood disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
14. Trait Theory
• Social Policy and Trait Theory
– Primary Prevention Programs
• Seek to treat personal problems before they
manifest as crime
– Secondary Prevention Programs
• Provide treatment to youths and adults after they
have violated the law
Notas del editor
Learning Objective 1. Be familiar with the development of trait theory.
Learning Objective 2. Discuss some of the biochemical conditions that have been associated with crime.
Learning Objective 3. Understand the linkage between aggression and neurophysiological makeup.
Learning Objective 4. Link genetics to crime.
Learning Objective 5. Explain the evolutionary view of crime.
Learning Objective 5. Explain the evolutionary view of crime.
Learning Objective 6. Discuss the elements of the psychodynamic perspective.
Learning Objective 7. Link behavioral theory to crime.
Learning Objective 8. Show why aggressive behavior may reflect cognitive processes.
Learning Objective 9. Discuss the elements of personality that are related to crime.
Learning Objective 10. Be aware of the controversy over the association between intelligence and crime.
Learning Objective 11. Discuss the association between mental disorders and crime.
