Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Personality and the Biosocial Model of Anti-Social and Criminal Behaviour

  • Chapter
Biosocial Bases of Violence

Part of the book series: Nato ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 292))

Abstract

In considering the causes of criminal and violent behaviour, we are dealing with two separate but interrelated factors. A crime is committed by a person in a certain situation; individual differences are responsible for the fact that in similar situations one person will commit the crime, another will not. Situations define not only the narrow circumstances of a particular crime, but the whole attitude of a given society to anti-social conduct, to the child’s upbringing, discipline in school, judicial procedures, existing levels of punishment, certainty of detection, religious beliefs, prevalence of TV violence, and many more. We cannot explain the huge differences in anti-social conduct between Singapore and Washington, Switzerland and South Africa, Egypt and England in terms of general differences, or personality factors. Communist countries like Russia used to be relatively crime-free; after the overthrow of communism Russia is one of the most crime-ridden countries in the world.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allsop, J., & Feldman, M. (1976) Item analyses of questionnaire measures of personality and antisocial behaviour in school. British Journal Criminology. 16. 337–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backorowski, J., & Newman, J. (1985) Impulsivity in adults: motor-inhibition and time-interval estimation. Personality and Individual Differences, 6, 133–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, J., Li, L., Patterson, C., Greenberg, B., Murphy, D., & Hamer, D. (1996) Population familial association between the D4-dopamine receptor gene and measures of novelty-seeking. Nature Genetics. 12, 81–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernson, T., & Fairey, T. (1984) Personality in assaultive and non-assaultive juvenile male offences. Psychological Reports, 54, 527–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birder, A. (1988) Juvenile delinquency. American Review of Psychology, 39, 253–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, H., Noble, E., Sheridan, P., Finley, O., Montgomery, A., Richie, T., Oz Karajoz, T., Fitch, P., Sadlack, F., Sheffield, D., Dahlmann, T., Halbardian, S., & Nogami, H. (1991). Association of the A1 allele of the D2 Dopamine receptor gene with severe alcoholism. Alcohol, 8, 409–416.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boeker, W., & Haefner, H. (1973) Gewalttatan Geistergestoerter: Berlin: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booraem, C., Flowers, J., Bordner, G., & Satterfield, D. (1977) Personal space variations as a function of criminal behavior. Psychological Reports, 41. 1115–1121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brunner, H., Nelen, M., Breakefield, D., Rogers, S., van Dorst, B. (1993) Abnormal behaviour associated with a point mutation in the structural gene for monoamine oxidase A. Science, 262, 578–580.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buikhuisen, W. (1980) Chronic juvenile delinquency: A theory. In: W. Buikhuisen & R.A. Mednick (Eds.), Explaining Criminal Behavior: Pp. 27–51, 7. Leiden: E.J. Bride.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chico, E., & Ferrando, P. (1995) A psychometric evaluation of the revised P-scale in delinquent and non-delinquent Spanish samples. Personality and Individual Differences, 18, 381–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choynowski, M., (1995) Does expressiveness have a factorial structure? Personality and Individual Differences. 18, 167–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Cloninger, C., Svrakic, D., & Przybeck, T., (1993) A psychological model of temperament and character. Archway General Psychiatry. 50, 975–990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa, P., & McCrae, R. (1992) Revised NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five Inventory (NEO-FFI) Professional Manual. Odessa: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabbs, J., Frady, R., Carr, T,. & Bosch, N. (1984) Saliva testosterone and criminal evidence in young adult prison inmates. Psychosomatic Medicine, 49, 174–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabbs, J., Ruback, R., Frady, R., Hopper, C., Spoutas, S. (1988) Saliva testosterone and criminal violence among women. Personality and Individual Differences, 2, 209–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davey, G. (Ed.)(1983) Animal Models of Human Behavior: London, Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Man, A., & Green, C. (1988) Selected personality correlates of assertiveness and aggressiveness. Psychological Reports, 62, 672–674.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duckitt, J. (1988) The predictor of violence.

    Google Scholar 

  • South African Journal of Psychology. 18, 10–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastwood, L. (1985) Personality, intelligence and personal space among violent and non-violent delinquents. Personality and Individual Differences, 6, 717–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaves, L., Eysenck, H.J., & Martin, N. (1989) Genes, Culture and Personality: An Empirical Approach. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebstein, R., Novick, O., Umansky, R., Priel, B., Oster, Y., Blaine, P., Bennett, E., Nemanor, L., Katz, M., & Belmaker, R. (1996) Dopamine D4 receptor (D4DR) exon III polymorphism associated with the human personality trait of novelty seeking. Nature Genetics, 12, 79–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenkranz, J., Bliss, E., & Sheard, M. (1976) Plasma testosterone: Correlation with aggressive behaviour and social dominance in man. Psychosomatic Medicine, 36, 469–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, L., & Coontz, P. (1990) Androgens, brain functioning, and criminality: The foundations of anti-sociability. In: L. Ellis & H. Hoffman (Eds.), Crime in Biological, Social, and Moral Contexts. New York: Praege

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, L., & Nyborg, H., (1992) Racial/ethnic variations in male testosterone levels: A probable contributor to group differences in health. Steroids, 57, 72–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1947) Dimensiom of Personality. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1960) The development of moral values in children: 7. The contribution of learning theory. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 30, 11–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1967) The Biological Basis Personality. Springfield: C. C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1976) Sex and Personality. London: Open Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1977) Crime and Personality. London: Paladin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1981) A Model for Personality. New York: Springer Verlag.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1983a) A biometrical-genetical analysis of impulsive and sensation-seeking behavior: In: M. Zuckerman (Ed.): Biological Bases of Sensation-seeking. Impulsivity, and Anxiety. London: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1983b) Personality and ageing: An exploratory analysis, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality. 33, 11–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1987) The definition of personality disorders and the criteria appropriate for their description. Journal of Personality Disorders, 1, 211–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1991) Dimensions of personality: 16, 5 or 37-Criteria for a taxonomic paradigm. Personality and Individual Differences, 8, 773–790.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1992) The definition and measurement of psychoticism. Personality and Individual Differences. 13, 757–785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1994) Personality: Biological foundations. In: P.A. Vernon (Ed.), The Neuropsychology of Individual Differences. Pp. 151–207. New York: Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1995a) Genius: The Natural History of Creativity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1995b) Personality differences according to gender. Psychological Reports, 76, 711–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. (1995c) Some comments on the Gough socialization scale. Psychological Reports, 76, 298.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J., & Eysenck, M.W. (1988) Personality and Individual Differences: A natural science approach. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J., & Eysenck, S.B.G. (1975) Manual of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J., & Eysenck, S.B.G. (1991) Improvement of IQ and behaviour as a function of dietary supplementation: A symposium. Personality and Individual Differences, 12, 329-365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J., & Gudjonsson, G. (1989) The Causes and Cures of Criminality. New York: Plenum Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J., & Wakefield, J. (1981) Psychological factor as predictor of marital satisfaction. Advances in Behaviour Research and Therapy. 3, 151-192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, S.B.G., & Eysenck, H.J. (1971) A comparative study of criminals and matched controls in three dimensions of personality. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 10, 302–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, S.B.G., Rust, J., & Eysenck, H.J. (1977) Personality and the classification of adult offenders. British Journal of Criminology, 17, 163–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahrenberg, J., Selg, H., & Hampel, R. (1978) Der Freiburger Personalickbeitsinventer. Goettingen: Hogrefe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D. (1986) Stepping stones to adult criminal careers. In: D. Olweus, J. Block, and M. Radke-Yarrow (Eds.), Development of Antisocial and Prosocial Behavior. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. (1977) Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Analysis. Chichester: John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garber, J., & Strassberg, Z. (1991) Construct validity: History and application to developmental psychopathology. In: W.A. Grove and D. Ciocati (Eds.), Personality and Psychopathy. Pp. 219–258. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, B. (1994) Ontogency, social experience, and serotonergic functioning. In: R. Marberg, T. McGuire (Eds.), The Neurotransmitter Revolution. Pp. 113–128. Cartasdale: Southern Illinois University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gough, H. (1994) Theory, development, and interpretation of the CPI socialization scale. Psychological Reports, 75, 651–700.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J. (1982) The Neuropsychology of anxiety. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J. (1987) Perspective on anxiety and drug outcomes: A commentary. Journal of Research in Personality, 21, 493–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, N., Pickering, A., & Gray, J. (1994) Psychoticism and dopamine D2 binding in the basal ganglia, using single photen emission tomography. Personality and Individual Differences, 431–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare, R. (1978) Electrodermal and cardiovascular correlates of psychopathy. In: R. Hare and D. Schalling (Eds.), Psychopathic Behaviour: Approaches to Research. Pp. 107–144. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaven, P. (1993) Personality predictors of self-reported delinquency. Personality and Individual Differences, 14, 67–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heaven, P. (1996) Personality and self-reported delinquency: Analysis of the “Big Five” personality dimension. Personality and Individual Differences, 20, 47–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hormuth, S., Lamm, H., Michelitsch, I., Scheuennann, H., Trommsdorft, G., & Voegele, I. (1977) Impulskontrolle und einige Persoenlichkeits charakteristika bei delinquenten und nichtdelinquenten Jugendlichen. Psychologische Beitraege, 19, 340–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamison, R. (1980) Psychoticism, deviancy and perception of risk in nonnal children. Personality and Individual Differences. 1, 87–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinzel, A. (1970) Body buffer zone in violent prisoners. American Journal of Psychiatry, 127, 59–69.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klinteberg, B. (1995) Biology, norms, and personality: A developmental perspective. Reports from the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University. No. 804.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klinteberg, B., Humble, K., & Schalling, D. (1992) Personality and psychopathy of males with a history of early criminal behaviour. European Journal of Personality, 6, 245–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, D. (1993) The effects of war on crime. Psychological Reports, 73, 381–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., & Dishion, T. (1983) Early prediction of male delinquency: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 94, 68–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lossel, F., & Westendorfer, W. (1976) Personlickbeits korrelate delinquanten Verhaltens uder aftuzieller Delinquenz? Zeitschrift fuer Sozial psychologie, 7, 177–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubow, R., (1989) Latent Inhibition and Conditioned Attention Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lynn, R. (1995) Dysgenic personality for criminal behaviour. Journal of Biosocial Science, 27, 405–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mackintosh, N. (1974) The Psychology of Animal Learning. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masters, R., & McGuire, M. (1994) The Neurotransmitter Revolution. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGurk, B., Davis, D., & Greham, J. (1981) Associative behaviour, personality, and personal space. Behavior: 7, 317–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mednick, S.A. (1977) A biosocial theory of the learning of law-abiding behaviour. In: S.A. Mednick & K.O. Varintyansen (Eds.), Biosocial Bases of Criminal Behavior: Pp. 1–8, New York: Gardner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, J., Rogers, P., Cavanagh, J., & Wasyliw, M. (1980) The role of train anxiety in violent and non-violent delinquent behavior. American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moffitt, T.E. (1993) Adolescence-limited and life course-persistent anti-social behaviour: A developmental taxonomy. Psychological Bulletin, 100, 674–701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moir, A., & Jessel D. (1995) A Mind to Crime. London: Michael Joseph.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monahan, J. (1981) Predicting violent behavior: Beverly Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, D. (1994) Assessing prediction of violence: Being accurate about accuracy. Journal of Counselling and Clinical Psychology, 68, 783–792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mossman, D. (1994) Assessing predictions of violence: Being accurate about accuracy. Journal of Counselling and Clinical Psychology, 62, 783–792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1979) Stability of aggressive reaction patterns in males: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 81, 852–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1984) Stability in aggressive and withdrawn, inhibited behavior patterns. In: R.M. Kaplan, Y.J. Konecni, & R. Novaco, (Eds.), Aggression in Children and Youths. The Hague: Eiphoft.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D., Mattson, A., Schalling, D., & Loew, A. (1980) Testosterone, aggression, physical and personality dimensions in nonnal adolescent males. Psychosomatic Medicine, 42, 253–269.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pena, M., & Luengo, M. (1993) Demara de la quatificasion y cunducta antisocial en los adolescentes. Anolisis y Modificacion de Conducta, 19, 643–663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platenov, K. (1959) The Word as Physiological and Therapeutic Factor: Mosser: Foreign Language Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, G.E. (1977) Psychosocial and social deficiency in children. Advances in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1, 27–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putsins, A. (1982) The Eysenck Personality Questionnaires and delinquency prediction. Personality and Individual Differences, 3, 335–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raine, A. (1993) The Psychopathology of Crime. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raine, A., & Venables, P. (1981) Classical conditioning and socialization in a biosocial interaction? Personality and Individual Differences, 2, 273–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raine, A., Venables, P., & Williams, M. (1990a) Relationship between central and autonomic measures of arousal at age 15 years and criminality at age 24 years. Archives of General Psychiatry, 47, 1003–1007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raine, A., Venables, P., & Williams, M. (1990b) Autonomic orienting responses in 15 year-old male subjects and criminal behaviour at age 24. American Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 933–937.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raleigh, M., & McGuire, M. (1994) Serotonin, aggression, and violence in marmot monkeys. In: D. Masters & M. McGuire (Eds.), The Neurotrammirter Revolution. Pp. 12–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, F. (1992) The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigby, H., Mak, A., & Slee, P. (1989) Compulsiveness, orientation, institutional authority, and gender as factors in self-reported delinquency among Australian adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 10, 689–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotenberg, M., & Nachshon, I. (1979) Impulsiveness and aggression among Israeli delinquents. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 18, 59–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rushton, P. (1980) Altruism, Socialization, and Society. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rushton, J., Fulzer, D., Neale, M., Blizard, D., and Eysenck, H.J. (1994) Altruism and genetics. Asta Genetica Media Eanellologica, 33, 205–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rushton, P., Fulzer, D., Neale, M., Nias, D., & Eysenck, H. (1986) Altruism and aggression: The heritability of individual differences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 1192–1198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sakic, V., Knezovic, Z., & Zuzul, M. (1987) Popujera Eysenckove EPQ-C skale sklonosti Kriminalotetu na osobama orudenim za Krivicua djela "napuda na ljade". Penoloske Teme, 2, 255–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarbin, T., Allen, V., & Rutherford, E. (1969) Social reinforcement, sociaiization, and chronic delinquency. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 4, 73–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenthaler, S. (1991) Abstracts of early papers on the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on IQ and behaviour. Personality and Individual Differences, 12, 335–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenthaler, S., Amos, S., Eysenck, H., Hughes, M., & Korda, D. (in press.) Nutritional Institutional rule violations. Personality and Individual Differences, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwenkmetzger, P. (1983) Risikovenhalten Risikobereitschaft und Delinquenz: Theoretische Grundlagen und differential diagnostische Untersuchungen. Zeitschrift fur Differentielle und Diagnostiche Psychologie, 4, 223–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, J., & Scott, W. (1991) Influences of parent discipline style on delinquent behaviour: The mediating role of control orientation. Australian Journal of Psychology, 43, 61–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staltin, H., & Magnusson, D. (1989) The role of early aggressive behaviour in the frequency, seriousness, and type of later crime. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 710–718.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steller, M., & Hunze, D. (1984) Zur Selbst boschreibung von Delinquenten in Freiburger Personenlichkeits inventor (FPI)-eine Sekundaeranalyse empirischer Unterruchnugen. Zeischrift fue Differentielle und Diagnostische Psychologie, 5, 87–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, C., & Hemsley, D. (1984) Personality factors in the taking of criminal risks. Personality and Individual Differences, 5, 119–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, I., & Watt, P. (1977) The relation of denial systems and behaviour in a normal population to subseuqnt delinquency and maladjustment. Psychological Medicine, 7, 166–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wardell, D., & Yendell, L. (1980) A multidimensional approach to criminal disorders: The assessment of impulsivity and its relation to crime. Advances in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 2, 159–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehill, M., Scott, I., & De Myer-Gapin, S. (1976) Stimulation-seeking in antisocial pre-adolescent children. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85, 101–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfgang, M., Thornberry, T., & Figlio, R. (1987) From Boy to Man, from Delinquency to Crime. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. (1991) Psychobiology of Personality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill, London, UK, SE5 8AF

    H. J. Eysenck

Authors
  1. H. J. Eysenck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Adrian Raine  & Sarnoff A. Mednick  & 

  2. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Patricia A. Brennan

  3. Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK

    David P. Farrington

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Eysenck, H.J. (1997). Personality and the Biosocial Model of Anti-Social and Criminal Behaviour. In: Raine, A., Brennan, P.A., Farrington, D.P., Mednick, S.A. (eds) Biosocial Bases of Violence. Nato ASI Series, vol 292. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4648-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4648-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-4650-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-4648-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation