Characterization of Risk Factor Criminal Behavior in Convicts

Abstract The present study aims to characterize the risk factors, specially psychopathy, aggressiveness and personality, in Brazilian convicts inserted in resocialization activities. Participants included 48 male convicts with a mean age of 34.6 years (SD = 8.68) serving time in closed regime in a prison unit. The following instruments were applied: (1) Aggression Questionnaire Buss-Perry; (2) Inventory of the Big Five Personality - IGFP - 5; (3) Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Levenson Scale; and (4) Demographic Questionnaire. Compared with the literature, the results revealed a divergent profile from the typically reported, indicating low hostility, primary psychopathy and a personality characterized by amiability and openness to change. It was also observed that the time spent in resocialization activities was not related with the evaluated constructs. The unexpected pattern is discussed by comparing its divergence from the literature and we suggest the evaluation of this population by methods of social desirability control.