TY  - JOUR
T1  - A critical evaluation of the relationship between personality, intelligence and crime
TT  - Kişilik, zekâ ve suç arasındaki ilişkinin eleştirel bir değerlendirmesi
AU  - Seyidoğlu, Sadullah
PY  - 2025
DA  - June
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.48146/odusobiad.1531678
JF  - Ordu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Sosyal Bilimler Araştırmaları Dergisi
JO  - ODÜSOBİAD
PB  - Ordu University
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 1309-9302
SP  - 1342
EP  - 1376
VL  - 15
IS  - 2
LA  - en
AB  - This study critically examines the relationship between personality, intelligence and crime. The extent to which psychological factors contribute to the understanding, explaining and predicting criminal behaviour is evaluated. In the light of models and academic perspectives on personality and intelligence, the study addresses the assumptions that personality traits such as psychoticism, neuroticism, extraversion and low intelligence levels/IQ scores increase the likelihood of committing crime. It is emphasized that although certain personality traits and low intelligence are associated with crime, they are not entirely determinant of crime and delinquency. The importance of social, cultural, economic and environmental factors, as well as education and social environment, in shaping criminal behaviour is discussed, and it is argued that these external conditions may be more influential in the criminal process than individual psychological characteristics. In addition, the methodological difficulties of models in the field of personality and intelligence are discussed, and the need for more comprehensive research approaches is expressed. It is concluded that multifaceted and holistic perspectives integrating psychological and sociological factors are essential for developing crime prevention and intervention strategies. Finally, it is suggested that future crime studies adopt more holistic methodologies that consider the interaction between individual characteristics and social influences.
KW  - crime
KW  - delinquency
KW  - Personality
KW  - intelligence
KW  - critical evaluation
N2  - Bu çalışmada kişilik, zekâ ve suç arasındaki ilişki eleştirel bir bakış açısıyla incelenmiştir. Psikolojik faktörlerin suç davranışının anlaşılmasına, açıklanmasına ve öngörülmesine ne ölçüde katkıda bulunduğu değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma, kişilik ve zekâ ile ilgili modeller ve akademik perspektifler ışığında; psikotiklik, nevrotiklik ve dışadönüklük gibi kişilik özellikleri ile düşük zekâ seviyelerinin/IQ puanlarının suç işleme olasılığını artırdığına dair varsayımları ele almaktadır. Belirli kişilik özellikleri ve düşük zekâ suçla ilişkili olsa da bunların suç ve suçluluk üzerinde tamamen belirleyici olmadığı vurgulanmaktadır. Sosyal, kültürel, ekonomik ve çevresel faktörlerin yanı sıra eğitim ve sosyal çevrenin de suç davranışını şekillendirmedeki önemi ele alınarak, bu dışsal koşulların suç sürecinde bireysel psikolojik özelliklerden daha etkili olabileceği savunulmaktadır. Ayrıca, kişilik ve zekâ alanındaki modellerin metodolojik zorlukları tartışılmış ve daha kapsamlı araştırma yaklaşımlarına duyulan ihtiyaç dile getirilmiştir. Hem psikolojik hem de sosyolojik faktörleri entegre eden çok yönlü ve bütüncül perspektiflerin, suçu önleme ve müdahale stratejileri geliştirmek için gerekli olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Son olarak, gelecekteki suç çalışmalarında bireysel özellikler ile sosyal etkiler arasındaki etkileşimi dikkate alan daha bütüncül metodolojilerin benimsenmesi gerektiği belirtilmiştir.
CR  - Akers, R.L. (1999). Criminological theories: Introduction and evaluation (2nd ed.). Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn.
CR  - Anser, M. K., Y., Z., Nassani, A. A., Alotaibi, S. M., Kabbani, A., & Zaman, K. (2020). Dynamic linkages between poverty, inequality, crime, and social expenditures in a panel of 16 countries: Two-step GMM estimates. Journal of Economic Structures, 9(1), 1-25.
CR  - Ashton, M. C., & Lee, K. (2007). Empirical, theoretical, and practical advantages of the HEXACO model of personality structure. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 11, 150-166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868306294907
CR  - Beaver, K. M., Boutwell, B. B., Barnes, J. C., Vaughn, M. G. & DeLisi, M. (2017). The association between psychopathic personality traits and criminal justice outcomes: Results from a nationally representative sample of males and females. Crime and Delinquency, 63, 708-730. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128715573617
CR  - Bo, S., Pedersen, L., Christensen, K. B. & Rasmussen, K. (2019). Psychopathy in a forensic sample-The factor structure of the PCL: SV in a Danish forensic sample. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 60, 447-455. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12566
CR  - Boccio, C. M., & Beaver, K. M. (2016). The Influence of Psychopathic Personality Traits, Low Self-Control, and Nonshared Environmental Factors on Criminal Involvement. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 16(1), 37-52. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204016684176
CR  - Braithwaite, J. (1989). Crime, shame, and reintegration. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511804618
CR  - Brown, W. (2016). Personality, and Crime. The Encyclopaedia of Crime and Punishment, (1st ed.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Hoboken, NJ, USA.
CR  - Burger, J. M. (2006). Kişilik: Psikoloji biliminin insan doğasına dair söyledikleri. İstanbul: Kaknüs.
CR  - Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., Phil A. & Krueger, R. F. (1994). Are some people crime-prone? Replications of the personality-crime relationship across countries, genders, races, and methods. Criminology, 32(2), 163-196
CR  - Clark, J., Boccaccini, M., Caillouet, B., & Chaplin, W. (2007). Five factor model or personality traits, jury selection, and case outcomes in criminal and civil cases. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34, 641-660. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854806297555
CR  - Cloninger, C. R. (1987). A systematic method for clinical description and classification of personality variants. Archives of General Psychiatry, 44, 573-588. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1987.01800180093014
CR  - Costa, P. T., Jr., & Widiger, T. A. (2002). Introduction: Personality disorders and the Five-Factor Model of personality. In P. T. Costa, Jr. & T. A. Widiger (Eds.), Personality disorders and the Five-Factor Model of personality (2nd ed., p. 6). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
CR  - Cunha, O., Braga, T., & Gonçalves, R. A. (2018). Psychopathy and Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(3-4), 1720-1738. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518754870
CR  - Çiçek, İ. (2020). Kişilik ve beş faktör kişilik özellikleri: Kuramsal bir çerçeve. Batman Üniversitesi Yaşam Bilimleri Dergisi, 10 (1), 137-147.
CR  - Çiçek, İ., & Aslan, A. E. (2019). Kişilik ile ayrışma bireyleşme arasında akran ilişkilerinin aracılığı. Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches, 8(4), 2642-2671. https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.585755
CR  - Dabney, D. (2004). Crime types: A text/reader. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
CR  - Dal, V. (2009). Farklı kişilik özelliklerine sahip bireylerin risk algılarının tüketici davranışı açısından incelenmesi: Üniversite öğrencileri üzerine bir araştırma (Yüksek Lisans Tezi). Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Isparta.
CR  - DeLisi, M., Fox, B. H., Fully, M., & Vaughn, M. G. (2018). The effects of temperament, psychopathy, and childhood trauma among delinquent youth: A test of DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperament-based theory of crime. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 57, 53-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2018.01.006
CR  - Demirbaş, N. (2014). Üst-düzey kişilik ve yaşamda anlam: temel psikolojik ihtiyaçların rolünün yapısal eşitlik modellemesi ile incelenmesi (Doktora Tezi), İstanbul Üniversitesi, İstanbul.
CR  - DeYoung, C. G. (2006). Higher-order factors of the big five in a multi-informant sample. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(6), 1138-1151. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.91.6.1138
CR  - Elliott, D. S. & D. Huizinga (1983). Social class and delinquent behavior in a National Youth Panel. Criminology, 21, 149-177. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.1983.tb00256.x
CR  - Eysenck, H., & Eysenck, M. (1985). Personality and individual differences. New York: Plenum Press.
CR  - Eysenck, H. J. & G. H. Gudjonsson. (1989). The Causes and Cures of Criminality. New York: Plenum.
CR  - Flynn, J. R. (1987). Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What IQ tests really measure. Psychological Bulletin, 101(2), 171-191. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.101.2.171
CR  - Forrest, W., Hay, C., Widdowson, A. O., & Rocque, M. (2019). Development of impulsivity and risk‐seeking: Implications for the dimensionality and stability of self‐control. Criminology, 57(3), 512-543. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12214
CR  - Fowles, D. C. (1980). The three-arousal model: Implications of Gray's two-factor learning theory for heart rate, electrodermal activity, and psychopathy. Psychophysiology, 17, 87-104. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1980.tb00117.x
CR  - Gatner, D. T., Blanchard, A. J. E., Douglas, K. S., Lilienfeld, S. O., & Edens, J. F. (2016). Psychopathy in a Multiethnic World: Investigating Multiple Measures of Psychopathy in Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian Offenders. Assessment, 25(2), 206–221. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191116639374
CR  - Gökulu, G. (2019). Suç kuramları: Biyolojik ve psikolojik yaklaşımlar: Eleştirel bir değerlendirme. Turkish Studies-Social Sciences, 14(4), 1471-1488. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/TurkishStudies.23004
CR  - Gorenstein, E.E. & J. P. Newman (1980). Disinhibitory psychopathology: A new perspective and a model for research. Psychological Review, 87, 301-315. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.87.3.301
CR  - Gottfredson, M., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
CR  - Gray, J. A. (1977). Drug effects on fear and frustration: Possible limbic site of action of minor tranquilizers. In Leslie L. Iversen, Susan D. Iversen, and Solomon H. Snyder (eds.), Handbook of Psychopharmacology, (Vol. 8). Drugs, Neurotransmitters, and Behavior. New York: Plenum.
CR  - Herrnstein, R., & Murray, C. (1994). The bell curve: Intelligence and class structure in American life. New York: Free Press.
CR  - Hindelang, M., J., T. Hirschi, & J. G. Weis (1979). Correlates of delinquency: The illusion of discrepancy between self-report and official measures. American Sociological Review, 44, 995-1014.
CR  - Hirschi, T. (1969). The Causes of Delinquency. Berkeley: University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315081649
CR  - Hirschi, T., & Hindelang, M. (1977). Intelligence and delinquency: A revisionist review. American Sociological Review, 42, 471-741.
CR  - Hirschi, T., M. J. Hindelang, & J. G. Weis (1980). The status of self-report measures. In Malcolm W. Klein and Katherine S. Teilman (eds.), Handbook of Criminal Justice Evaluation. Beverly Hills: Sage.
CR  - Ivert, A., Andersson, F., Svensson, R., Pauwels, L. J. R., & Torstensson Levander, M. (2018). An examination of the interaction between morality and self‐control in offending: A study of differences between girls and boys. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 28(3), 282-294. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.2065
CR  - Jang, K. L., Livesley, W. J., Ando, J., Yamagata, S., Suzuki, A., Angleitner, A., Ostendorf, F., Riemann, R., & Spinath, F. (2006). Behavioral genetics of the higher-order factors of the Big Five. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(2), 261-272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.11.033
CR  - John, O. P., & Srivastava, S. (1999). The Big Five trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and theoretical perspectives. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 102-138). New York: Guilford Press.
CR  - Jones, D. N. & Hare, R. D. (2016). The mismeasure of psychopathy: A commentary on Boddy’s PM-MRV. Journal of Business Ethics, 138, 579-588. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44164184
CR  - Kenney, M. (1999). When Criminals Out-Smart the State: Understanding the Learning Capacity of Colombian Drug Trafficking Organizations. Transnational Organized Crime, 5(1), 97-119
CR  - Kızmaz, Z. (2006). Cezaevi Müdavimleri İnatçı Suçlular. Ankara: Orion Yayınları.
CR  - Koenen, K. C., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., Rijsdijk, F., & Taylor, A. (2006). Genetic influences on the overlap between low IQ and antisocial behavior in young children. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115(4), 787-797. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.115.4.787
CR  - Köroğlu, E., & Bayraktar, S. (2011). Kişilik bozuklukları. Ankara: HYB Basım Yayın.
CR  - Krueger, R. F., P. Schmutte, A. Caspi, T. E. Moffitt, P. A. Silva, & K. Campbell. (1994). In press Personality traits are linked to crime among males and females: Evidence from a birth cohort. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 103(2), 328-338. https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-843x.103.2.328
CR  - Leech, S. L., Day, N. L., Richardson, G. A., & Goldschmidt, L. (2003). Predictors of self-reported delinquent behavior in a sample of young adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 23(1), 78-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431602239131
CR  - Lemert, E. M. (1951). Social Pathology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
CR  - Lynam, D., Moffitt, T., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (1993). Explaining the relation between IQ and delinquency: Class, race, test motivation, school failure, or selfcontrol? Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 102(2), 187-196. https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-843x.102.2.187
CR  - Maguin, E., & Loeber, R. (1996). Academic performance and delinquency. Crime and Justice, 20, 145-264.
CR  - McCrae, R. R. & Costa, P. T. (2003). Personality in adulthood: A five-factor theory perspective (2nd Ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
CR  - McGloin, J. M., Pratt, T. C., & Maahs, J. (2004). Rethinking the IQ-delinquency relationship: A longitudinal analysis of multiple theoretical models. Justice Quarterly, 21(3), 603-635. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418820400095921
CR  - Messner, S., & Rosenfield, R. (2007). Crime and the American Dream (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
CR  - Miller, J. D. & Lynam, D. (2001). Structural models of personality and their relation to antisocial behavior: A meta‐analytic review. Criminology, 39, 765-798. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2001.tb00940.x
CR  - Moffitt, T. E., Gabrielli, W. F., Mednick, S.A., & Schulsinger, F. (1981). Socioeconomic status, IQ, and delinquency. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90(2), 152-156. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.90.2.152
CR  - Murdock, N. L. (2013). Psikolojik Danışma ve Psikoterapi Kuramları. (Çev. Ed. Akkoyun, F.). Ankara: Nobel.
CR  - Nigel, S. M., Dudeck, M., Otte, S., Knauer, K., Klein, V., Böttcher, T., Maaß, C., Vasic, N., & Streb, J. (2018). Psychopathy, the Big Five and empathy as predictors of violence in a forensic sample of substance abusers. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 29(6), 882-900. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2018.1439993
CR  - O’Riordan, C. & O’Connell, M. (2014). Predicting adult involvement in crime: Personality measures are significant, socio-economic measures are not. Personality and Individual Differences, 68, 98-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.04.010
CR  - Olson, K. R. (2005). Engagement and self-control: Superordinate dimensions of big five traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(7), 1689-1700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.11.003
CR  - Pfohl, S. (1994). Imaged of deviance and social control: A sociological history. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
CR  - Próspero‐Luis, J., Moreira, P. S., Paiva, T. O., Teixeira, C. P., Costa, P., & Almeida, P. R. (2017). Psychopathy, criminal intentions, and abnormal appraisal of the expected outcomes of theft. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 22(2), 314-331. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12103
CR  - Quay, H. (1986). The behavioral reward and inhibition systems in childhood behavior disorder. In Lewis M. Bloomingdale (ed.), Attention Deficit Disorder: Research in Treatment, Psychopharmacology and Attention, (Vol. 3). New York: Spectrum.
CR  - Reid, S. T. (2006). Crime and criminology (11th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
CR  - Roberts, B.W. & Mroczek, D. (2008). Personality trait change in adulthood. Current Directions. Psychological Science, 17(1), 31-35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00543.x.
CR  - Rolison, J.J., Hanoch, Y., & Gummerman, M. (2013). Characteristics of offenders: The HEXACO model of personality as framework for studying offenders’ personality. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 24(1), 71-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2012.752024
CR  - Schmalleger, F. (2008). Criminal justice: A brief introduction (7th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
CR  - Schuessler, K. F. & D. R. Cressey. (1950). Personality characteristics of criminals. American Journal of Sociology, 50, 476-484. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.196058
CR  - Sharma, N., Prakash, O., Sengar, K., Chaudhury, S., & Singh, A. (2015). The relation between emotional intelligence and criminal behavior: A study among convicted criminals. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 24(1), 54-58. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.160934
CR  - Shoemaker, D. J. (2005). Theories of delinquency: An examination of explanations of delinquent behavior. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
CR  - Siegal, L. (2009). Criminology (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
CR  - Sleep, C. E., Lynam, D. R. & Miller, J. D. A. (2021). Comparison of the validity of very brief measures of the Big Five/Five-Factor Model of personality. Assessment, 28, 739-758. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191120939160
CR  - Stitt, B. G. & D. J. Giacopassi (1992). Trends in the connectivity of theory and research in criminology. The Criminologist, 17, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.103.2.328
CR  - Taymur İ, & Türkçapar M.H. (2012). Kişilik: Tanımı, sınıflaması ve değerlendirmesi. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 4, 154-177. https://doi.org/10.5455/cap.20120410
CR  - Tennenbaum, D. (1977). Personality and criminality: A summary and implications of the literature. Journal of Criminal Justice, 5, 225-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-2352(77)90041-1
CR  - Tharshini, N.K. & Ibrahim, F. (2020). Risk factors that contribute towards deviant behaviour: A systematic review. J. Perspekt., 12, 28-38.
CR  - Tharshini, N. K., Ibrahim, F., Kamaluddin, M. R., Rathakrishnan, B., & Che Mohd Nasir, N. (2021). The Link between Individual Personality Traits and Criminality: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8663, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168663
CR  - Traynham, S., Kelley, A. M., Long, C. P. & Britt, T. W. (2019). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and criminal behaviour in U.S. army populations: The mediating role of psychopathy and suicidal ideation. The American Journal of Psychology, 132, 85-95. https://doi.org/10.5406/amerjpsyc.132.1.0085
CR  - Tornquist, M., & Miles, E. (2019). Trait self‐control and beliefs about the utility of emotions for initiatory and inhibitory self‐control. European Journal of Social Psychology, 49(6), 1298-1312. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2581
CR  - Trulson, C.R., Haerle, D.R., Caudill, J.W. & DeLisi, M. (2016). Lost Causes: Blended Sentencing, Second Chances, and the Texas Youth Commission. University of Texas Press: Austin, TX, USA.
CR  - Waldo, G. P. & S. Dinitz. (1967). Personality attributes of the criminal: An analysis of research studies, 1950-1965. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 4, 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-2352(77)90041-1
CR  - Zuckerman, M. (1989). Personality in the third dimension: A psychobiological approach. Personality and Individual Differences, 10, 391-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(89)90004-4
UR  - https://doi.org/10.48146/odusobiad.1531678
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4138135
ER  -