Violent Offenders Can Best Be

Violent offenders can best be defined as those who commit criminal acts such as homicide, rape, sexual assault, aggravated battery, robbery, and torture. Typology of such offenders begins with very specific individual-level factors including temperament, personality, self-control and routine bouts of aggressiveness towards others (MacDonald, Haviland, & Morral, 2009). Those who fall into this category have been found to commonly possess a Type a personality and be more prone to resorting to violence and anger as an impromptu response to challenging life situations (Rhee, 2002). Violence is often a first response to uncomfortable or intense situations for the offender. They often derive pleasure through their aggressive behavior and view it as a form of personal power over others. Research indicates high instances of substance abuse and mild to severe mental illness among members of this population (Lim, Day & Casey, 2011). Those closest to a violent offender often bear the brunt of their attacks, with domestic violence or child abuse potentially being the end result of such aggression.

To fully understand the personal evolution, mental processes, and world of the violent offender, we can consider three broad theoretical models: biological, psychological, and sociological. These models often overlap, but seem to point to noteworthy connections between genetics and environmental influences (Morley & Hall, 2003). For instance, abnormal psychological theory offers that factors such as mental illness, depression, poor role models, poor coping skills in the face of stress, and negative reinforcement are drivers that can lead to violent outbursts and chronic aggressiveness over time (Rhee, 2002). In addition, personality dispositions may be the result of hereditary or chemical imbalances brought on by gene mutations that regulate anger and inhibitions (Morley & Hall, 2003). Genetic coding can also be a contributing factor to violent offenses in one's lifetime. This theory of biology's influence on violent criminal behavior has been proven in studies involving identical twins raised in separate environments. Often, both will engage in criminal activities at some point in life, implying a link between criminal behavior and genetics (Rhee, 2002).

Theories based in psychology really speak to the mental thought processes and over-arching motivations that precede violent acts. It is believed that violent offenders operate from a self-centered framework with little, if any, regard for the feelings and well-being of others (Lim, Day & Casey, 2011). By contrast, sociological theories examine the risk factors for violent personality development which include harsh social and environmental issues such childhood abuse and/or neglect, victimization, social exclusion, lack of education, and extreme poverty (MacDonald, Haviland, & Morral, 2009). Poor parenting and the negative influence of certain peer groups may also contribute to violent behavior. An example of this would be violent gang culture among young urban males. For those already at risk, the conditioning and positive sanctioning of violence within the peer group can lead to criminal behavior that persists throughout one's life. Evidence suggests that the proclivity for violent crime increases under harsh living and social conditions.