FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Philippine Public Safety College

By: Prof. Luis Duaso Gonzales, Ph.D.

 As one penologist says, “The society
breeds its own criminal”. Criminality roots
itself in the social climate and it is influenced
and affected by almost all factors in the
society. To study criminality, is in a way, to
study our very own selves and our society, for
we are all connected in the so – called web of
life.
Whatever is said, an offender is still a
human person and he has dignity and rights
that should be upheld and respected.
 Profile of an Offender
(Based on DSM IV)
•
A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard
for and violation of the rights of others
occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by
three of the following:
1. Failure to conform to social norms
with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated
by repeatedly performing acts that are
grounds for arrest.
 2 Deceitfulness as indicated by repeated
lying, use of aliases or conning others for
personal profit or pleasure
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4. Irritability and aggressiveness as
indicated by repeated physical fights or
assaults.
5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or
others
 6. Consistent irresponsibility as indicated
by repeated failure to sustain consistent work
behaviour or honor financial obligations
7. Lack of remorse as indicated by being
indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt,
mistreated or stolen from another

•
B. The individual is at least age 18
•
C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with
onset before age 15
 Characteristics of Individuals with Conduct Disorder
(Based on DSM IV)

•
Aggression to people and animals
•
Destruction of property
•
Deceitfulness and theft
•
Serious violation of rules
 Types of Conduct Disorder

•
Childhood Onset Type – occur prior to age ten
•
Adolescent Onset Type – absence prior to age
ten
 Etiology of Criminality
•
Criminal behavior is always linked with the
aggressive tendency of an individual.

•
Aggression is an individual’s outward display
of criminal tendency.

•
Agressive tendency differs among individuals
 Freud on Aggression

•
As proposed by Freud, humans manifest two
types of instinct

•
Instinct – Defined as an innate predisposition
to act when given a particular situation
 Two Types of Instinct
•
Life Instinct (Libido) – one that promotes,
preserves, protects, and prolongs life
Energy used: Libidinal energy

•
Death Instinct (Thanatos) – one that promotes
harm and aggression
Energy used: Aggression/ Aggressive
behaviour
 Types of Aggression

•
Physical aggression – Manifested through
physical means

•
Verbal aggression – Manifested through
words or statements that destroys reputation,
honor and dignity as a person
•
External aggression (Aggression out) –
Aggression that is outwardly manifested

•
Internal aggression (Aggression in) –
Aggression that is directed towards the self

•
Displaced aggression – An aggressive
behaviour that is redirected from the original
target to another person or an object
•
Instrumental aggression – Aggression that is
used as an instrument to an innermost goal
 Theories of Crime

Choice Theory (Classical and Neoclassical)

•
Individuals commit crimes after weighing the
consequences and benefits of their actions;
criminal behaviour therefore is a rational
choice made by motivated offender who
perceives that the chance of gain outweigh
any possible punishment or loss.
Trait Theory
•
Holds that individuals engage in criminal
behaviour due to aberrant psychological traits
that govern behavioural choices; criminal acts
are impulsive or instinctual rather than
rational choices.
Biological Theory
1. Biochemical Theory – Violence or aggressive
behaviour is a function of hormonal
imbalance
2. Neurological Theory – Criminal behaviour is a
result of certain brain impairment. Minimal
brain dysfunction is related to anti – social
behaviour.
3. Genetic Theory – Criminal traits and
predispositions are inherited.
Psychodynamic Theory
•
The development of the unconscious
personality in early childhood influence
behaviour for the rest of a person’s life.
Criminals have weak egos and damaged
personalities.
•
Focus: Explains the onset of delinquency and
why crime and abuse cut across class lines.
Behavioural Theory
•
People commit crime when they model their
behaviour after others they see being
rewarded for the same acts. Behaviour is
reinforced by rewards and extinguished by
punishment.
•
Focus: Explains the role of significant others
in the criminological process. Shows how
family life and media can influence crime and
violence
Cognitive Theory
•
Individual reasoning processes influence
behaviour. Reasoning is influenced by the
way people perceive their environment.
•
Focus: Shows why criminal behaviour
pattern change overtime as people mature
and develop their reasoning powers. May
explain the aging process.
Strain Theory
•
Links criminality to the strain of being lock out
of the economic mainstream, which creates
the anger and frustration that lead to criminal
acts

Social Conflict Theory

•
The view that intergroup conflict, born out of
the unequal distribution of wealth and power,
is the root cause of crime
Developmental Theory
•
The view that criminality is a dynamic process,
influenced by social experiences as well as
individual characteristics.
 Socio – Demographic Profile of Offenders
(Bureau of Corrections)
•
Population : More than 24,000
•
No. of illiterates : More or less 60%
•
Age : 26 – 30 years old
•
Religious affiliation : Roman Catholics
(78%)
•
Civil Status : Single (57%)
•
Crime Committed : Homicide and
Robbery (60%)
•
Sentence : 6 – 10 years (54%)
•
Length of Stay : 1 – 5 years (78%)
•
Place of Origin : Luzon and Metro
Manila (65%)
•
Occupation prior
to imprisonment: Laborer (More
than
60%)
 Behavioural Characteristics of
Offenders
•
Lying
•
Argumentative
•
Offensive
•
Negative Mind set
•
Manipulative
•
Cunning/ Street Smart
•
High Level of Aggression
•
History of Neglect/Abuse (Troubled Family
Set – Up
•
Not Interested in School (truancy)
•
Rude/ Rebellious
•
Hatred Toward People in Authority
•
Withdrawn
•
Gang Involvement
•
Extreme Sensitivity
•
Very Emotional
•
Low Frustration Tolerance
 Thank you for
listening...Good day!