What is the relationship between personality disorders and documented criminal behavior?

Brandi Hole, Jordin Phillips, and Denise McCoy

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Abstract

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Through this research you learn the correlation between personality disorders and documented
criminal behavior. Learning that various crimes committed by an individual in most cases has a
personality disorder. Becoming knowledgeable of the different clusters appointed to personality
disorder and what each personality is under what cluster. Cluster A having personality traits of
paranoia, schizoid and/or schizotypal personality disorders. Cluster B has personality traits of
being antisocial, borderline personality disorder, histrionic, and narcissistic. Cluster C has
personality traits of being avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, and aggressive to point of
committing a homicide. All of those traits all can be matched with a behavioral crime. So
through this research you learn of each crime and the variables that go along with the disorder
and the criminal behavior.
Keywords: measure, variable, personality disorder and criminal behavior

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Relation between Personality Disorder and Documented Criminal Behavior

There has been profound research done on the relationship between personality disorders
and documented criminal behavior. This particular issue is very important to acquire knowledge
on because it allows for relevance and acceptance to individuals and researchers who have
experienced it. Numerous studies have been conducted to figure out why this particular subject
exists. To initiate such an experiment, researchers must be able to identify these two variables
and exactly what each accounts for. One general personality disorder is known as psychopathy,
and can lead to some of the most violent behaviors in individuals. "Psychopathy is a complex
personality disorder characterized by such symptoms as glibness and superficiality, egocentricity,
impulsivity, irresponsibility, and lack of remorse or guilt" (Coupland, Riopka, and Olver, 2015,
p. 218). This term was first coined by Hervey Cleckley and had sixteen characteristics to
describe it, including; superficial charm, lack of remorse, lack of anxiety, and impersonal
relationships (Filone, Strohmaier, Murphy, and DeMatteo, 2014). Most individuals with this
disorder portray antisocial and criminal behavior. Such interest in this subject has proven to gain
an extensive demonstration with the two variables connecting with each other (Walsh, 2013).
Across multiple researched journals, two of the most current measures of not only this disorder
are the Hare Psychopathy Checklist and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (5th ed.) (DSM-5). Schizophrenia is another disorder that is mentioned in the research
that was obtained. Even though this disorder can be treated, there is a popular demand for
finding treatment and preventing individuals from lashing out to others. Recently there have

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been higher crime rates for this certain disorder and has drawn attention and a need for
knowledge on what exactly causes the crimes to rise (Raine et al, 2003). According to (Raine et.
al, 2003), "neurobiological and psychological risk factors that cause schizophrenia also cause the
crimes that are occurring" (p. 1627). Fortunately, there is brain imaging, and neuropsychological
testing being done to help further prevent this disorder from destroying the individuals life.
Recent studies have found as well that individuals with substance abuse, followed by any cluster
B personality disorders have an increased risk for violence. In order to gain more insight, the
study investigated four fundamental personality dimensions; impulse control, affect regulation,
threatened egotism or narcissism, and paranoid cognitive personality style. This allowed for a
summary of the relationship for persons with certain disorders and their own risk of violence
(Nestor, 2002). Most studies have been conducted within forensic or correctional settings;
which allow for more than an understanding of the individuals. The meaning behind the
previous sentence is that conducting these studies not only allow researchers to figure out why
certain behaviors happen, but how they can be prevented in the future. Criminal behavior has
been documented countless times, and includes a variety of behaviors that had occurred.
According to (Coupland, Riopka, and Olver, 2015), criminal behaviors and thinking styles refer
to criminal attitudes that link to measures and patterns with violent intentions (p. 225). Overall,
the behaviors that were described in the research were bodily harm to others, assault, robbery,
and the total number of convictions acquired by the individual. Behaviors amongst other inmates
or patients in the setting of the study was also considered by measures of personality traits
through the Big Five Factor Model. This assessment looks at openness, conscientiousness,
extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, and scores the individual accordingly (Ullrich, and

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Marneros, 2004). Several studies were found regarding personality disorders and recorded
criminal behavior. The following studies aided in providing crucial information in the research
question and allowed insight to be known in more depth. Multiple studies used offenders and non
offenders in order to conduct their study, so they will be talked about as a whole. These
individuals were given several personality measures and their records were obtained from a court
setting. In one certain study, three Factors were used in determining the individual's risk; Factor
1 included emotionally stable, histrionic, paranoid and dissocial traits, Factor 2 was associated
with schizoid personality disorder, and Factor 3 was designed with anxious and dependent
disorders. In this particular study, offenders with high scores on Factor 1 were highly aggressive,
violent, and had impulses to inflict harm (Ullrich, & Marneros, 2004). Another study that was
done in relation to a certain category of personality disorders looked specifically at cluster C
personality disorders. This disorder is also known as avoidant, dependent, or obsessional
disorders. Data was collected from homicidal Finnish offenders, and out of the 593 that were
extracted, twenty-one had at least one cluster C disorder. One interesting aspect was that the
individuals diagnosed with this were more open to confessing the crime and feelings remorse for
what they have done. Overall, these disorders may be rare amongst populations, but they do
exist and can result in extremely violent behavior from the individuals (Laajasalo, Ylipekka, and
Hakkanen-Nyholm, 2013). One study that was investigated looked at different ethnicities and
how likely each were to commit crimes and how personality disorders played a role in the crimes
committed as well. The ethnic categories that make up the majority of inmates were used in the
study; European American, African American, and Latino American. The results showed that
psychopathy was more prominent amongst European Americans, and provided a future reference

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for the relationship between psychopathy and violence (Walsh, 2013). In a study done by
(Riopka, Coupland & Olver, 2015), 248 Canadian University undergraduate students completed
three self-report measures, involving forensic and antisocial behavior samples. The results
showed that most of the students portrayed no criminal attitudes or modes of thinking that would
in any way be harmful. However, there was a big difference between male and females on the
scoring of the measures. Men scored higher on criminal attitudes, which ultimately reflected
violating law behavior, as well as other psychopathy traits (p. 221). Continuing on the topic of
men, a study done in England looked at 391 male prisoners, and wanted to determine
independent associations between criminal behavior and the disorder the individual had. The
strongest associations for the men were conduct disorders, along with several antisocial
components. This research was very helpful, and allowed for research on male individuals in the
future to be easier to understand and identify factors that contribute as well (Roberts & Coid,
2010). A study done by (Riser & Kosson) also used only men for the study and viewed
psychopathy in relation to the cognitive processing from each individual. The men that exhibited
psychopathy traits portrayed distinct differences with their cognitive performances and tasks that
were asked of them. On a different spectrum, one study looked at how nutrition, education, and
physical exercise relates to schizotypal, conduct, and criminal behavior with age groups from 3-5
and 17-23. Results found that the effects of these programs were more beneficial for age groups
of 3 years as compared to 17-23 year olds with antisocial behavior (Raine et. al, 2003). In
relation to substance abuse, a study was completed through a sample of drug abusers who were
currently in a rehabilitation facility. These individuals were diagnosed with a variety of disorders
and had on record multiple types of crimes they had committed prior. One significant result that

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was found stated that individuals with antisocial personality disorder were 2.16 times more likely
to be charged committing more than one crime within a year. Also found was heightened
criminal activity when there was substance abuse present. This study went on to talk about the
effects of preventing crime and understanding the individuals history beforehand (Fridell et. al,
2008). Juvenile criminals need just as much understanding and research as older individuals, so
a study was found that involved juveniles and their personality disorders they had. Over 400
juveniles were investigated and compared with normal controls. The results showed that the
scores of all twelve types of personality disorders were extremely higher amongst the juveniles.
This shocking discovery led to urgent and immediate placement for the individuals to have an
intervention (Liao, Wang, and Tang, 2008). One idea that seemed important overall during
research was the reversal theory. In this, excitement is realized as the factor that motivates and
thrives individuals to inflict harm and suffering on others. Even though these individuals may
feel empathy towards others, this excitement, which is often times enhanced with drug or alcohol
use makes the empathy disappear. The individual then fails at not harming others and lives off
the adrenaline and arousing emotion they are getting. Future research is breaking through every
day in order to decrease the number of criminals and overall provide a safe atmosphere for the
entire population. (Howard, 2011)
Methods
Participants
In order to seek the correlation between personality disorder and criminal behavior, we
plan to get 10-15 past felons to complete this personality assessment. They will be recruited

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through random sampling and the population will represent every random convicted past felon.
Materials
Materials used to complete this study are a consent form and a personality questionnaire.
The consent form will allow the individuals who are being studied to understand what they are
getting involved with, and that they can cease the study at any time. (See Appendix B). After
completion of this assessment, there is expected to be a correlation between personality disorders
and felons. Having an objective perspective will involve participants to be observed in a
classroom setting and simple behaviors will be recorded. From tapping objects, looking around
classroom and grunts are all examples of recorded behaviors throughout the study. The variables
that are being viewed are the felonies that are documented towards that criminal. The variables
will range from misdemeanors, homicides, arson, theft, and etc. With each felon that is
documented, it will be compared with another participant. So once a participant finishes the
questionnaire, it will be seen if each disorder matches a felon. For example, Cluster B disorders
(histrionic and narcissistic) are prone to behave aggressively; Cluster C disorders are prone to
commit homicide (Laajasalo, 2013). You are able to measure the felons by viewing the
documentation. If the felon has repeated criminal behavior it is measurable by the recountance
of the crime.
Procedure
This study was intended to see the relationship between personality disorders and
documented criminal behavior, and whether or not the felons diagnosis had any influence on

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their reported actions. Our sampling strategy is to use cluster sampling. Cluster Sampling is one
of many psychological methods that divides the homogenous population of the study into
separate groups that fit the desired variables that are being observed. This particular design
would be used to sort the various personality disorders that the convicted criminals were
diagnosed with, such as antisocial personality disorder with and without psychopathy,
narcissism, or even dissocial personality disorder. This will then be determined by a personality
questionnaire with the main focus on the derangements their personality offers (See Appendix
C). The second method to which we would group our participants in would be a self-report
survey focusing on the specific offenses, violent versus nonviolent crimes, they have committed
such as robberies, murders, burglary, drug offenses, and motor offenses. Some examples of this
self-report questionnaire would contain questions that would be answered through yes/no with
the types of offenses they have committed, short answer responses on when the first time they
have committed a particular crime, etc (See Appendix A). This allows the researcher to put the
offender in a particular cluster for the most common crime they perpetrated through the results
from the self-report questionnaire. For example, Cluster A would be offenders with antisocial
personality disorder with psychopathy, along with this diagnosis resulting in committing more
severe violent crimes such as murders and robberies (Riser and Kosson, 2013). With using this
sampling method, we can discover that the role of specific personality disorders may be greater
in some offenses than others.
Results
We expect to find a strong correlation between a felons diagnosed personality disorder

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and the documented criminal behavior and/or actions they have partaken in. Between the two
methods of measurement, a personality questionnaire and a self-report survey, we anticipate that
those who are within a particular cluster for the personality disorders, Cluster A equals antisocial
personality disorder with psychopathy, Cluster B equals narcissism, etc, will have their own
criminal behaviors that associate with the diagnosis. The two categories in which behaviors and
actions felons have committed are contained within violent crimes and nonviolent crimes.
Violent crimes are those related to robbery, murders, and assaults, nonviolent crimes are those
related to burglaries, drug and motor offenses. Scores on each of these surveys will be analyzed
using the ANOVA approach because it is most accurate when there is two or more groups within
a study. This approach will allow us to conclude that there will be a significant finding in our
research. Another tool that we will use is the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, this will allow us
to determine the strength of the relationship between our variables. In order to see if our
variables are positively correlated, they must either increase or decrease together.
Implications and Limitations
Out of all the findings acquired from each article, our hypothesis has been supported,
along with our research question. There is a connection with personality disorder and criminal
behavior. Any crime committed, whether big or small, a personality disorder could be matched
with it. Personality disorders could also go along traits or characteristics of a personality. If you
have a hostile or aggressive personality, it would be under the Cluster B personality (Laajasalo,
2013). Another factor that goes along with personality disorders being connected with criminal
behavior would be men with avoidant personality are more likely to murder their wives, than are

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batterers who have indications of psychopathy (Lasjasalo, 2013). Also, along the findings of
different personality disorders you notice that there are different crimes that go along with an
individuals personality. You find that with the different clusters of personality, cluster C is more
rare and connected with an offender who has committed a crime.Along with the context of the
articles, all findings have back up evidence to prove that there is a relation between personality
disorders and criminal behavior. The different variables that are in the articles are the various
personality disorders, along with the clusters. Such as, avoidant behavior or schizophrenia as a
disorder. The personalities ranged sporadically.
Nonetheless, the limitations toward an individual who has a record would be losing his
or hers rights for certain things. He or she loses their right to vote which means no privacy when
applying for work. He or she may always have that chip on their shoulder of having to answer
yes to having a criminal background. Also, another factor is that if he or she is young and want
to go to college to potentially get assistance with work they are not eligible for financial help
from the federal government. In general, they are numerous limitations towards individuals who
has a documented criminal behavior and has committed a crime. With regards to the study, one
major limitation could have been the sample size that was used. Having a larger sample could
have altered our expectations, thus changing the results overall. Another limitation could be that
only documented criminals were explored. Linking the criminals to normal individuals may have
possibly yielded a different outcome.

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References
Filone, Sarah, Strohmaier, Heidi, Murphy, Megan, and DeMatteo, David. (2014). The impact of
DSM-5's alternative model for personality disorders on criminal defendants. Journal of
Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 32(1), 135-148.
Fridell, Mats, Hesse, Morten, Jaeger, Mads Meier, and Kuhlhorn, Eckart. (2008). Antisocial
Personality disorder as a predictor of criminal behavior in a longitudinal study of a cohort
of abusers of several classes of drugs: Relation to type of substance and type of crime.

RELATION BETWEEN DISORDER AND CRIMINALS

Journal of Addictive Behaviors, 33(6), 799-811.

Howard, Richard. (2011). The quest for excitement: A missing link between personality disorder
and violence?. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 22(5), 692-705.
Laajasalo, Taina, Ylipekka, Mikko, and Hakkanen-Nyholm, Helina. (2013). Homicidal behavior
among people with avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive (cluster C)
personality disorder. Journal of Criminal Behavior and Mental Health, 23(1), 18-29.
Liao, Jian, Wang, Wei, and Tang, Qiu-Ping. (2008). Study of personality disorder and personality
traits of juvenile male criminals. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 16(4), 423-424.
Nestor, Paul. (2002). Mental Disorder and Violence: Personality Dimensions and Clinical
Features. Journal of Psychological Disorders, 159(12), 1973-1978.
Raine, Adrian, Mellingen, Kjetil, Liu, Jianghong, Venables, Peter, and Mednick, Sarnoff. (2003).
Effects of Environmental Enrichment at Ages 3-5 Years on Schizotypal Personality and
Antisocial Behavior at Ages 17 and 23 Years. Journal of Health & Mental Health
Services, 160(9), 1627-1635.
Riopka, S., Coupland, R., & Olver, M. (2015). Self-reported psychopathy and its association
with criminal cognition and antisocial behavior in a sample of university undergraduates.
Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 47(3), 216-225.
Riser, Rebecca, and Kosson, David. (2013). Criminal behavior and cognitive processing in male
offenders with antisocial personality disorder with and without comorbid psychopathy.

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Journal of Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 4(4), 332-340.

Roberts, Amanda, and Coid, Jeremy. (2010). Personality disorder and offending behavior:
Findings from the national survey of male prisoners in England and Wales. Journal of
Forensic Psychiatry, 21(2), 221-237.
Walsh, Zach. (2013). Psychopathy and criminal violence: The moderating effect of ethnicity.
Journal of Law and Human Behavior, 37(5), 303-311.
Ullrich, Simone, and Marneros, Andreas. (2004). Dimensions of personality disorders in
offenders. Journal of Criminal Behavior and Mental Health, 14(3), 202-213.

Appendix A

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Figure 1. An example of a self-report measure used in determining an individual's values and

thinking styles to determine personality.

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Appendix B
Consent to Participate in Personality Questionnaire
Researchers: Denise McCoy, Brandi Hole, Jordin Phillips
Project:
You are openly welcomed to complete this personality questionnaire. This study is being done to
see if there are correlation between personality disorders and past felons who have committed
documented crimes. In past research, it has been found that the different clusters of personality
has been linked with criminal behavior. So today, you can sign this form and complete the
questionnaire. By the end, you will see if there is a connection between personality disorders and
documented criminal behavior.
Involvement:
If you decide to participate in this study you will be asked to complete a personality
questionnaire. This will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Risks:
There are no risks directly affecting you when relating to completing this questionnaire.
Thank you for your time,
Signature _______________________________________________________
Date ___________________________________________________________

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Appendix C
The following website is a personality disorder test. This test is not meant to diagnose you, but
help give you understanding of the personality disorder that was determined for you by the
responses you gave to the questions that were given to you. This test also give you awareness of
what disorder can potentially bring to yourself negative manner.
http://www.4degreez.com/misc/personality_disorder_test.mv