An In-Depth Approach to the Link between Biological Factors, Psychopathy, and Criminological Theories

• In Event: Biosocial Explanations of Antisocial Behaviors

Abstract

The study of the relationship between the constructs of psychopathy and criminal behavior is a topic that has recently received an upheaval of attention within the field of criminology. Empirical research has shown that psychopathy is generally correlated with criminal and antisocial behavior. Recent studies have also shown a more in depth understanding of the relationship between biological factors and the overlap of endophenotypes such as psychopathy and criminal behavior. However, the current empirical literature concerning the conceptual and theoretical bridge between biological factors, psychopathy, and criminological theory is limited. To add to the current literature, we tested several biological indicators in association with the three sub-scales of psychopathy (i.e., callous emotionality, egocentricity, and self-detrimental lifestyles) and various measures of crime and deviance. The findings of the current study and a discussion of the relationships discovered are discussed based on the relationships shared between the biological relationships between the subscales of psychopathy and the associated criminological theories.

Authors

• Richard Lewis, Sam Houston State University

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Todd Armstrong, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Travis Franklin, Sam Houston State University

• Jessica Wells, Sam Houston State University

• Matthias Woeckener, Sam Houston State University

• Eric Cooke, Sam Houston State University