Ingredients for Criminality Require Genes, Temperament, and Psychopathic Personality

Background and method: Recent and emerging research demonstrates the importance of genetic factors, temperament, and psychopathic personality for understanding criminality especially more severe forms of it. Drawing on diverse interdisciplinary research, we review recent studies in behavior genetics, child development, psychology, social work, criminology, and other areas that bear on serious criminality. Results: We suggest that genes, temperament, and psychopathic personality are the root ingredients of criminality and underscore the importance of a wide range of topics including neurobehavioral disorders, personality disorder, aggression, violence, and crime. Conclusion: Similar to debates in psychology and psychiatry, we encourage further research on the basic constitutional foundation of criminality as a means to guide theory and research in criminology and criminal justice.