Crime and IQ

Paper Summary:

The use of IQ as a factor or predictor of violent crime has a long and controversial history. However, study after study has found that many criminals who commit aggressive crimes have lower than average IQ?s. However, other studies also find a correlation between white-collar crimes, rapist/stalkers and serial murder and a higher than average IQ.
This paper explores how a lower or higher than average IQ can be a contributory factor towards the type of crime an offender commits.
The first part of this paper defines IQ and how this quotient is measured and quantified. The second part then discusses the body of research that links a lower than average IQ to aggressive and criminal behavior. These studies range from older work by Hirschi and Hendalang to more current research conducted in other countries like Germany.
The next part discusses criticisms of these studies. One researcher finds that many of these studies are skewed or guilty of sloppy research. Another study fails to find a correlation between IQ and crime in adolescents who are juvenile offenders. In the fourth section, the paper then explores how IQ can be a contributory factor towards the commission of stalker/rape, serial murder and white-collar crimes. This is partially explained by opportunity, since people with higher IQ?s have more chances of getting jobs which allow them to commit crimes like speculation and insider trading. In addition, crimes like serial murder and stalking require meticulous planning and great patience, qualities which may be difficult for people with lower IQ and higher aggression levels.
Finally, this paper discusses if correlation link is causal. In the discussion, this paper posits that IQ can simply be an indicator of the types of crimes a person can commit, but not necessarily a predictor.

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Purpose of Study
III. Review of Related Literature
IV. Methods of Study
V. Research
a. IQ
i. Definition
ii. How Is It Measured?
b. Biological/Physiological Theories of Crime
i. Overview
ii. Studies showing IQ as Predictor
c. Criticisms of IQ as Predictor of Crime
i. Flawed Data/Research
ii. Link Missing in Adolescents
iii. Assessment of the Evidence
d. IQ and Types of Crime
i. Aggressive Crime
ii. Serial Killers
iii. Rapist/Stalkers
e. Implications and Discussions
i. Is the link Causal?
ii. How IQ Affects Economic Success
iii. How IQ Affects Relationships
iv. What Can Be Done?
1. Welfare States?
2. Anti-Violence Programs
VI. Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Several studies have found links between a low IQ and a greater tendency towards aggression and crime. However, there are many criminals - such as serial murderers, rapist/stalkers and white-collar thieves - who show a consistently higher IQ. This paper posits that a lower than average IQ can contribute towards aggression by putting people at a cognitive disadvantage, lowering their chances of succeeding at school and forging loving relationships. However, crimes which require patience and meticulous planning will necessitate a higher IQ. In both instances, however, IQ is merely an indicator and no direct causal relationship has been established."

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