Netherlands Journal of Psychology, 2007, number 4 Victims of our brain: born or made a criminal?

Abstract

Forensic psychology is a broad spectrum of topics related to both psychology and law issues. One of the more clinical issues involved in forensic psychology is the concept of criminal behaviour, in particular psychopathy. Although the construct of psychopathy has been the subject of a great deal of research, much still remains unclear. Biological factors such as genetics and HPA axis (re)activity seem to play an important role in the development of criminal psychopathic behaviour. The relationship between violence recidivism and psychopathy, and the fact that psychopaths lack moral emotions are important risk factors in the maintenance of criminal behaviour. Given the heterogeneity of psychopathic offenders, the effect of treatment still remains unclear. Consequently, the question arises whether we all are victims of our brain and, thus, treatment of criminal behaviour is useless. Or whether it is possible to alter criminal behaviour? In addition to this discussion, an overview of the content of this special issue will be presented. (Netherlands Journal of Psychology, 63, 112-116.)