#12 Latent Trait

 

Module #12

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. retell the concept of latent trait theory; and

2. relate this theory to a specific object.

LATENT TRAIT THEORY

 

Latent trait is defined as a stable feature, characteristic, property, or condition, such as defective intelligence, impulsive personality, genetic abnormalities, the physical-chemical functioning of the brain and environmental influences on brain function such as drugs, chemicals and injuries that make some people delinquency-prone over the life course. Latent theorists such as David Rowe, Wayne Osgood and Alan Nicewander (1990) focus on basic human behavior and drive such as attachment, aggression, violence, impulsivity—that are linked to antisocial behavior patterns. They recognized that human traits alone do not produce criminality and that it is a combination of environmental factors such as family life, educational attainment, economic factors, and neighborhood conditions. Physical or mental traits are, therefore, but one part of a large pool of environmental, social, and personal factors that account for criminality. Some people may have a predisposition toward aggression, but environmental stimuli can either suppress or trigger antisocial acts (Siegel, 2011). One example is, when a person has an impulsive personality. This person may somehow commit crime because he acts in an impulsive manner like when he suddenly draws his gun aiming at his enemy but unfortunately he hit another person.

Latent Trait Theory in as its name suggests, means that every individual has a set of inborn traits in them with varying degrees. For Example: Aggressiveness, control over impulses, self- centeredness. So there are individuals who are born more aggressive, with little self-control over their impulses and have very little concern over the needs of others and such individuals have high tendencies to commit crime.

One of the traits mentioned in some articles is intelligence and that the lower the intelligence of the individual the more likely they are to commit a crime. An individual with poor impulse control and an inability to feel fear or see the consequences of their actions are more likely to be criminals because when a criminal thought comes in it usually has a reward, an individual who can control their impulse can hold back and not commit the crime, the one with weaker control will tend to give in. Even so, if they can see the consequences of their actions and are fearful of them they will not be inclined to act, it is only when they can’t see the consequences and the fear that they carry on with the criminal act.

Q1. Does it mean that if a certain person possesses a genetic abnormality; he’s prone to criminality?

Answer: Not at all times. As mentioned in this theory latent trait alone does not produce criminality.

Q2. What do critics say about this theory?

Answer: Critics said that this theory describes personality traits rather than explains it.