Irreligiosity, Narcissism and Criminal Thinking in Criminals

Abstract

An extensive scientific debate surrounds the construct of criminal thinking and its link with both religion and personality. The present study examined this link by stating the hypothesis that there is likely to be a positive relationship between irreligiosity, narcissism and criminal thinking. The study also tried to look at the potential relationship between irreligiosity and narcissism as predictors of criminal thinking. Using a convenience sampling approach, a sample of 60 convicts (N=60), including 30 men and 30 women, was recruited from the District Jail of Faisalabad. TCU criminal thinking scales, the nonreligious-nonspiritual scale, and short dark triad scale were used to measure criminal thinking, irreligiosity and narcissism, respectively. Results were analyzed with the help of SPSS. The findings of present study showed a positive association between narcissism and criminal thinking (subscales of personal irresponsibility, criminal rationalization and power orientation) in criminals. However, there was no empirically significant correlation between irreligiosity and criminal thinking in criminals. Despite several limitations, the current study effectively shed light on novel aspects of the link between religion and crime, as well as the influence of personality on the development of criminal minds.