Young Minds and Crime

Compulsive Behaviors

Life of Vice: Does Problematic Gambling Lead to Criminality?

Eric Taipale on February 22, 2024

Pathological gambling is a pervasive and highly disabling disorder. Research shows that it may be a pivotal antecedent to criminal behavior.

Pathological gambling is a pervasive and highly disabling disorder. Research shows that it may be a pivotal antecedent to criminal behavior.

Sexual Abuse

Uncovering the Misogyny of Sexually Aggressive Offenders

Eric Taipale on February 3, 2024

Sexual violence is a tragic crime that affects millions across the world. Research has shown that misogyny and a distorted worldview are central to sexually aggressive offenders.

Sexual violence is a tragic crime that affects millions across the world. Research has shown that misogyny and a distorted worldview are central to sexually aggressive offenders.

Personality

Juvenile Sexual Homicide: Psychopathology and Personality

Eric Taipale on January 15, 2024

Juvenile sexual homicide is a rare crime. Research suggests that problematic personality characteristics and psychopathology underlie the psychology of these offenders.

Juvenile sexual homicide is a rare crime. Research suggests that problematic personality characteristics and psychopathology underlie the psychology of these offenders.

Sex

Understanding Girls Who Commit Sexual Offenses

Eric Taipale on July 7, 2023

Juvenile sexual offending is an issue across the U.S. Though accounting for a minority of cases, sexually abusive female juveniles exist and are similar to their male counterparts.

Juvenile sexual offending is an issue across the U.S. Though accounting for a minority of cases, sexually abusive female juveniles exist and are similar to their male counterparts.

Health

Why Do Children Set Fires?

Eric Taipale on November 26, 2022

Firesetting among children and adolescents is a problematic behavioural pattern which can result in serious injury. What causes it?

Firesetting among children and adolescents is a problematic behavioural pattern which can result in serious injury. What causes it?

Law and Crime

Understanding Youths Who Commit Sexually Motivated Homicide

Eric Taipale on October 18, 2022

Though sexually motivated homicide has been a fixture of crime fiction, we rarely discuss the psychological dynamics of sexual homicide, especially when the perpetrator is a youth.

Though sexually motivated homicide has been a fixture of crime fiction, we rarely discuss the psychological dynamics of sexual homicide, especially when the perpetrator is a youth.

Child Development

The Crimes Murderers Commit as Children

Eric Taipale on September 20, 2022

From animal abuse to shoplifting, murderers often have a criminal record as kids.

From animal abuse to shoplifting, murderers often have a criminal record as kids.