To What Extent Do Psychopathic Personality Traits Predict Violent Criminal Behavior among Adolescents
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To What Extent Do Psychopathic Personality Traits Predict Violent Criminal Behavior among Adolescents

Boyi Liu 1*
1 Wuxi United International School
*Corresponding author: kaylaliu2020@qq.com
Published on 11 November 2025
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CHR Vol.97
ISSN (Print): 2753-7072
ISSN (Online): 2753-7064
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-529-5
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-530-1
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Abstract

A characteristic test is a scientific procedure designed to measure a particular characteristic, such as behavior. The characteristic tests are used to predict the criminal behavior of people. This essay explores to what extent do psychopathic personality traits predict violent criminal behavior among adolescents. Specifically, the essay is going to be divided into two sections. Firstly, how psychopathic personality traits, particularly Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior, can predict violent criminal behavior in adolescents. The essay will first review existing research on the link between psychopathic traits and violent crime in adolescents, focusing on studies that use tools like the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL-YV) to measure CU traits, impulsivity, and antisocial tendencies. Secondly, this essay will also explore the differences between adolescents and adults in terms of how psychiatric traits predict violent criminal behaviors. We will analyze the manifestations of traits such as CU and impulsivity in adolescents and adults, and explore how the differences affect the predictors of criminal behaviors. Also, in this essay, we will discuss more relevant reasons which will cause violent behavior, such as brain development, environmental upbringing, and adolescent personality changes. To summarize the main points from a number of current research studies, and analyze how psychiatric traits change over time, the essay aims to provide a clearer version of how psychiatric traits affect violent behaviors in adolescents, and what different roles these traits play in adults.

Keywords:

Psychopathic Personality Traits, Violent Criminal Behavior, Adolescents.

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Liu,B. (2025). To What Extent Do Psychopathic Personality Traits Predict Violent Criminal Behavior among Adolescents. Communications in Humanities Research,97,1-6.

References

[1]. Dodge, K. A. (2006). The development of aggressive behavior: Social influences and individual differences. In C. A. Nelson (Ed.), Handbook of developmental psychopathology (pp. 235-256). Springer.

[2]. Frick, P. J., & Hare, R. D. (2001). Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI). Multi-Health Systems.

[3]. Viding, E., Blair, R. J., & Plomin, R. (2005). Evidence for substantial genetic risk for psychopathy in 7-year-old twins. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46(6), 592-597.

[4]. Frick, P. J. (2009). Psychopathy and the development of antisocial behavior. Springer.

[5]. Fanti, K. A., et al. (2009). Callous-unemotional traits and the prediction of aggressive and violent behavior in adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(4), 499-507.

[6]. Lynam, D. R., et al. (2009). Impulsivity and its relation to aggressive and violent behavior. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(6), 549-557.

[7]. Forth, A. E., Kosson, D. S., & Hare, R. D. (2003). Psychopathy Checklist—Youth Version (PCL-YV). Multi-Health Systems.

[8]. Campbell, M. A., et al. (2004). Psychopathic traits in adolescent offenders: An evaluation of criminal history, clinical, and psychosocial correlates. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113(4), 384-398.

[9]. Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. S. (1987). Manual for the Youth Self-Report and 1991 profile. University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

[10]. Hare, R. D. (1991). The psychopathy checklist—Revised (PCL-R). Multi-Health Systems.

[11]. Delcea, C., & Enache, C. (2020). Personality traits and criminal behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(2), 225-240.

[12]. Santor, D. A., & Kusumakar, V. (unpublished manuscript). Adolescents' emotional instability and impulsivity as predictors of violent behavior.

References

[1]. Dodge, K. A. (2006). The development of aggressive behavior: Social influences and individual differences. In C. A. Nelson (Ed.), Handbook of developmental psychopathology (pp. 235-256). Springer.

[2]. Frick, P. J., & Hare, R. D. (2001). Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI). Multi-Health Systems.

[3]. Viding, E., Blair, R. J., & Plomin, R. (2005). Evidence for substantial genetic risk for psychopathy in 7-year-old twins. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46(6), 592-597.

[4]. Frick, P. J. (2009). Psychopathy and the development of antisocial behavior. Springer.

[5]. Fanti, K. A., et al. (2009). Callous-unemotional traits and the prediction of aggressive and violent behavior in adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(4), 499-507.

[6]. Lynam, D. R., et al. (2009). Impulsivity and its relation to aggressive and violent behavior. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(6), 549-557.

[7]. Forth, A. E., Kosson, D. S., & Hare, R. D. (2003). Psychopathy Checklist—Youth Version (PCL-YV). Multi-Health Systems.

[8]. Campbell, M. A., et al. (2004). Psychopathic traits in adolescent offenders: An evaluation of criminal history, clinical, and psychosocial correlates. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113(4), 384-398.

[9]. Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. S. (1987). Manual for the Youth Self-Report and 1991 profile. University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

[10]. Hare, R. D. (1991). The psychopathy checklist—Revised (PCL-R). Multi-Health Systems.

[11]. Delcea, C., & Enache, C. (2020). Personality traits and criminal behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(2), 225-240.

[12]. Santor, D. A., & Kusumakar, V. (unpublished manuscript). Adolescents' emotional instability and impulsivity as predictors of violent behavior.

Cite this article

Liu,B. (2025). To What Extent Do Psychopathic Personality Traits Predict Violent Criminal Behavior among Adolescents. Communications in Humanities Research,97,1-6.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceeding of ICIHCS 2025 Symposium: The Dialogue Between Tradition and Innovation in Language Learning

ISBN: 978-1-80590-529-5(Print) / 978-1-80590-530-1(Online)
Editor: Enrique Mallen, Heidi Gregory-Mina
Conference website: https://2025.icihcs.org/
Conference date: 17 November 2025
Series: Communications in Humanities Research
Volume number: Vol.97
ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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