Personality correlates of criminals: A comparative study between normal controls and criminals.
BACKGROUND
Personality is a major factor in many kinds of behavior, one of which is criminal behavior. To determine what makes a criminal "a criminal," we must understand his/her personality. This study tries to identify different personality traits which link criminals to their personality.


METHODS
In the present study, 37 male criminals of district jail of Dhanbad (Jharkhand) and 36 normal controls were included on a purposive sampling basis. Each criminal was given a personal datasheet and Cattel's 16 personality factors (PFs) scale for assessing their sociodemographic variables and different personality traits.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the relation between personality traits and criminal behavior, and to determine whether such factors are predictive of future recidivism.


RESULTS
Results indicated high scores on intelligence, impulsiveness, suspicion, self-sufficient, spontaneity, self-concept control factors, and very low scores on emotionally less stable on Cattel's 16 PFs scale in criminals as compared with normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Criminals differ from general population or non criminals in terms of personality traits.
Department of Psychology, S.S.L.N.T. Women's College, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India.
Sudhinta
S
Sinha
Crime; criminal behavior; neuroticism; personality traits; psychoticism