The Master's thesis titled Correlation between adverse childhood experiences and criminality addresses the question of whether and how adverse childhood experiences are associated with criminality, and whether this association is significant for both juveniles and adults, drawing on empirical research for the majority of the analysis. It highlights selected aspects of the relationship in question, such as intergenerational transmission and the internalisation of trauma, and addresses the question of whether there is a link between adverse experiences and criminality (the general effect) or whether negative experiences are associated with the perpetration of analogous crimes (the special effect). The latter is discussed in more detail in relation to sexual abuse. The thesis also touches upon gender-specific differences in responses to negative childhood experiences. In the concluding part of the discussion of the link between adverse childhood experiences and criminality, it emphasises the role of adverse experiences as a criminogenic factor, but at the same time draws attention to the fact that other factors also contribute to the realisation of criminogenic potential, which can either realise or suppress it, and that therefore adverse experiences do not necessarily determine an individual to the extent that he or she will commit crimes, since the opposite is true - most individuals with such experiences do not commit crimes. The last part of the thesis attempts to synthesise the different neurobiological changes that can occur as a consequence of adverse childhood experiences and may act as a mediator between adverse experiences and criminal behaviour, while also highlighting their adaptive role. Finally, the link between adverse childhood experiences is also explored through the lens of social cognitive theory, which is grounded in behaviour modeling while simultaneously emphasizing the role of cognitive processes.
|
