An exploration of the mechanisms underlying the development of repeat and one-time violent offenders

Research on offending behavior has consistently revealed four personality types, including the primary psychopath, secondary psychopath, controlled, and inhibited. This review explores the development of violent behavior in each type. The callous unemotional personality of repeat offender primary psychopaths is echoed in the offense-specific justifications used by the controlled type. The repeat offender secondary psychopaths exhibit deficits in executive cognitive control, including impulsivity. Brain dysfunction due to depression in the inhibited type also enables impulsive behavior, leading to uncharacteristic violence. Distinct rehabilitation strategies for each of the types are discussed with reference to their developmental trajectories.