Haroon Rashid
A crime is an unlawful act that is punishable by the state or other authorities. There are various factors that cause a crime, among which psychological factors also take part.
Psychologists approach the task of explaining delinquent and criminal behavior by focusing on the individual’s personality. In particular, they examine the process by which behavior and restraints in behaviors are learned.People who are affected by personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar effective disorder, aggression, depression, adjustment disorders, are most susceptible to criminal behavior.
The terms delinquency and criminal act are related to each other but not the same, delinquency refers to an act that is prohibited by the social norms, whereas a criminal act in violation of existing laws of the state.
Psychological Theories
These theories state that criminal behavior in an individual is the result of an individual’s differences in the thinking process. There are various psychological theories, but it is believed that it’s the person’s thoughts and feelings that dedicate their actions.
Biological Theory
The biological theory states that a person inhibits criminal behavior. The biochemical effects such as diet, hypoglycemia hormones, and neurophysiological (brain dysfunction) can be responsible for criminal behavior.
Psychological Theory
This theory defines the mentality of a person.The common psychological factors of crime include abnormal, dysfunctional, or inappropriate mental disorders of an individual. These people usually commit the crime without any reason. Most cases include suicidal tendencies or they even try to harm themselves.
Sociological Theory
These theories include both social as well as environmental factors which are majorly responsible for the crime. Poverty is one major reason that pushes the offender to commit the crime. Other factors involved are frustration, stress, etc.
Failures in Psychological Development
Most people often get into trouble because they don’t develop the way others usually do and people do things they want without thinking about whether it’s right or wrong.
Learned Behavior of Violence & Aggression.
Most people often tend to become violent and aggressive when they are surrounded by aggression and violence around them. While seeing violence and aggression around them they feel there is no wrong in such behaviors.
Inherent Personality Traits
Criminals tend to share few characteristics. It is also believed that certain personality traits predispose someone towards criminal behavior.
Psychosocial Aspects of Behaviour mental illness.
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.
Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience and self-esteem. It is also key to relationships, personal and emotional well-being and contributing to community or society.
Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of your age, gender, geography, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background or other aspect of cultural identity.
Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting.
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
Loss of energy or increased fatigue
Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
Feeling worthless or guilty.
Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions.
Thoughts of death or suicide.
Aggressive behavior
Aggressive behavior is reactionary and impulsive behavior that often results in breaking household rules or the law; aggressive behavior is violent and unpredictable.Aggression can a problem for children with both normal development and those with psychosocial disturbances.There is no single theory about the causes of aggressive behavior in humans. Some believe aggression is innate or instinctive. Social theorists suggest the breakdown in commonly shared values, changes in traditional family patterns of child-rearing, and social isolation lead to increasing aggression in children, adolescents, and adults. Aggression in children correlates with family unemployment, strife, criminality, and psychiatric disorders.
Lack of self Control
Lack of self-control is the inability to restrain one’s emotions, desires, or impulses. Having a lack of self-control can result in undesirable negative consequences like being arrested or losing a good friend.
Deviant Behaviour
Deviance has sociological and psychological implications. Deviant behavior refers to activities that are disapproved of by society, and which have legal consequences. Deviant behavior describes an action or behavior that violates social norms, and social rules. Deviant behavior is a behavioral disposition that is not in conformity with an institutionalized set-up or code of conduct. Some sociologists explain deviant behavior using the nature and characteristics of individuals.
Therefore the role of the psychological factors of the crime is very evident in the criminal behavior of an individual. Social factors influence the relationship between psychological factors and the physical body.The social factors are concerned with the social structure and practices that influence an individual.Common psychological factors of a crime include individual-level processes and thoughts that influence mental states.
Author is Student of Law at KU.
