An Examination of the Mechanisms Underlying the Personality Trait-Offending Relationship

• In Event: Personality and Criminal Behavior

Abstract

Despite their absence from most criminological theory and research, personality traits—like those comprising the “Big Five” factors—are robust correlates of offending (Caspi et al. 1994; Miller and Lynam 2001; Jones et al. 2011). However, it is not clear how traits affect offending. The current study seeks to explore the mechanisms through which traits affect offending using a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the U.S. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

Author

• Zachary Loftus, Florida State University