Yochelson and Samenow-Criminal personality

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

Cornish & Clarke- Criminal behaviour result of rational thinking process. Often cost-benefit analysis (more likely to commit crime it there is a good outcome and perceive cost low)

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To investigate whether criminals cognition differs to that of non-criminals

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

255 criminals

1/2 NGRI

only 30 completed all interviews

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

Longitudinal study, 14 years

Interviews based on psychoanalytical to find root cause of criminal behaviour

Freudian therepy to study changes in cognition over years

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

52 different thinking error identified

3 main catagories

• Automatic thinking errors (empathy and trust)
• Criminal thinking patterns (power & control)
• Crime related thinking errors (fantasizing)

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

Criminals are in complete control of their life, any criminal behaviour is a result of choices made by the individual. Criminals typically have a distorted self image and deny and responsibility