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Published by at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 7, 2025

If you are writing a research paper on criminal psychology, you have a variety of topics and themes to choose from. Do psychopaths have an innate or developed nature? Is there a way to help criminals get better? Why do serial killers commit these crimes? When writing a criminal psychology dissertation, you might consider one or more of these psychology research ideas. Your research and citations should be accurate regardless of the criminal psychology theme you select.

It is possible to study criminal behaviour, forensics, and crime from every angle. To help you get started and inspire your creativity, we’ve collected interesting criminal psychology dissertation ideas.

Criminal Psychology Dissertation Topics With Research Aims 

 

Topic 1. Quantitative Study on the Link Between Sensation Seeking and Violent Crime in Urban Youth

 

Research Aim: This study aims to explore whether teenagers in cities who crave excitement and take risks are more likely to get involved in violent crime. It will use surveys and data to understand how personality traits related to thrill-seeking might push some young people toward dangerous or criminal behaviour.

Research Aim: This research explores how confusion about personal identity, such as struggles with belonging or purpose, might make young offenders more vulnerable to extremist ideologies. By interviewing affected individuals, the study hopes to understand how identity issues contribute to radical beliefs and help prevent future radicalisation.

Research Aim: This review examines past research to understand how being wrongly imprisoned impacts a person’s mental health. It looks into trauma, trust issues, and emotional recovery after release, aiming to highlight what kind of support people need after experiencing this life-changing injustice.

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List Of Free Criminal Psychology Dissertation Topics

  1. Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Recidivism in Violent Offenders
  2. The Role of Emotional Dysregulation in Predicting Antisocial Behaviour in Adolescents
  3. A Systematic Review of the Link Between Psychopathy and Financial Fraud
  4. The Impact of Social Media Exposure on the Desensitisation to Violent Crime
  5. Qualitative Research on the Criminal Thinking Patterns of Incarcerated Women
  6. The Influence of Narcissistic Traits on Cyberstalking Behaviour: A Mixed Methods Study
  7. An Analysis of Moral Disengagement Mechanisms in White-Collar Criminals
  8. Quantitative Study on the Effects of Solitary Confinement on Cognitive Functioning in Prisoners
  9. The Relationship Between Executive Function Deficits and Risk of Violent Crime
  10. A Meta-Analysis of Neurobiological Correlates of Impulsive Criminal Behaviour
  11. The Role of Attachment Styles in the Development of Criminal Behaviour in Young Adults
  12. A Qualitative Exploration of Motivational Narratives in Serial Offenders
  13. The Influence of Childhood Neglect on Criminal Behavioural Trajectories
  14. Research Study on the Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Reducing Recidivism
  15. A Systematic Review of Gender Differences in Psychopathic Traits and Their Criminal Expression
  16. Quantitative Study on the Correlation Between Machiavellianism and White-Collar Crime
  17. The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Predicting Non-Violent Criminal Conduct
  18. The Impact of Witnessing Domestic Violence on Adolescent Criminal Conduct
  19. An Analysis of Cognitive Distortions in Juvenile Sex Offenders
  20. Research Study on the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programmes for Mentally Ill Offenders
  21. A Qualitative Research Study on the Perceived Causes of Criminal Behaviour in Repeat Offenders
  22. Quantitative Study on the Role of Substance Abuse in Violent Crime Propensity
  23. The Impact of Peer Pressure on Adolescent Delinquency: A Longitudinal Study
  24. The Role of Personality Disorders in Predicting Reoffending Among Incarcerated Offenders
  25. A Systematic Review of Mental Illness and Its Association With Violent Crime
  26. Research Study on the Psychological Factors Behind Hate Crime Motivation
  27. An Analysis of Stress and Coping Mechanisms in Law Enforcement Officers Facing Criminal Behaviour
  28. The Impact of Paternal Absence on the Development of Criminal Behaviour in Boys
  29. A Qualitative Study on the Social Construction of Criminal Identity Among Young Offenders
  30. Quantitative Research on Brain Imaging Patterns in Psychopathic Versus Non-Psychopathic Offenders
  31. The Role of Self-Control in the Development of Delinquent Behaviour in Adolescents
  32. An Examination of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Violent Offenders
  33. A Systematic Review of Predictors of Success in Criminal Rehabilitation Programmes
  34. The Influence of Antisocial Peers on the Development of Criminal Behaviour in Youth
  35. Quantitative Study on the Correlation Between Dark Triad Traits and Organised Crime
  36. The Role of Cognitive Empathy in Preventing Criminal Behaviour in Adolescents
  37. Research Study on the Psychological Profiles of Arsonists
  38. A Qualitative Exploration of Cultural Influences on Criminal Behaviour in Minority Groups
  39. The Impact of Media Stereotypes on Jury Decision-Making in Criminal Trials
  40. An Analysis of the Link Between Animal Cruelty and Violent Offending
  41. Quantitative Study on the Effect of Violent Video Games on Aggression and Criminal Thinking
  42. The Role of Risk Assessment Tools in Predicting Criminal Recidivism
  43. A Systematic Review of Criminal Profiling Techniques and Their Psychological Validity
  44. The Influence of Parental Incarceration on the Criminal Development of Children
  45. Qualitative Study on the Motivations Behind False Confessions in Interrogations
  46. The Impact of Bullying Victimisation on the Likelihood of Later Criminal Behaviour
  47. Quantitative Research on the Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Criminal Psychopathology
  48. The Role of Peer Victimisation in the Formation of Antisocial Behaviour
  49. A Systematic Review of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Their Role in Criminality
  50. The Relationship Between Moral Reasoning and Criminal Decision-Making
  51. Qualitative Research on Female Offenders’ Experiences With the Criminal Justice System
  52. The Impact of Aggression Replacement Training on Reducing Violent Behaviour in Prisons
  53. An Analysis of the Relationship Between Sleep Disorders and Impulsive Criminal Acts
  54. Research Study on Psychosocial Predictors of School Shooting Behaviour
  55. The Role of Facial Emotion Recognition Deficits in Violent Offending
  56. Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Parental Supervision and Juvenile Delinquency
  57. The Psychological Impact of Wrongful Convictions on Exonerated Individuals
  58. A Systematic Review of Environmental Influences on Criminal Risk-Taking
  59. The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Development of Psychopathic Traits
  60. Research Study on the Efficacy of Anger Management Interventions in Violent Offenders
  61. The Role of Shame and Guilt in Criminal Rehabilitation and Behavioural Change
  62. Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Cybercrime
  63. The Impact of Social Exclusion on Criminal Thinking in Adolescents
  64. A Qualitative Exploration of the Identity Transformation of Rehabilitated Offenders
  65. The Role of Group Dynamics in Gang-Related Criminal Activities
  66. An Analysis of the Psychological Mechanisms Behind Vigilantism
  67. The Relationship Between Frontal Lobe Dysfunction and Violent Crime
  68. Research Study on the Use of Virtual Reality in Criminal Behaviour Rehabilitation
  69. A Systematic Review of Psychological Autopsies in Understanding Homicidal Suicides
  70. The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in Justifying Criminal Behaviour
  71. The Impact of Prison Environment on the Mental Health of Inmates
  72. Quantitative Research on the Correlation Between Pornography Addiction and Sexual Offending
  73. The Role of Self-Efficacy in Preventing Relapse Into Criminal Behaviour
  74. Qualitative Study on the Family Dynamics of Serial Killers
  75. A Research Study on the Psychological Predictors of Road Rage Offences
  76. The Influence of Dark Personality Traits on Organised Criminal Enterprises
  77. Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Empathy Deficits and Violent Crime
  78. The Role of Fantasy in the Development of Serial Criminal Behaviour
  79. An Analysis of Sociocultural Factors Influencing Female Involvement in Criminal Gangs
  80. The Psychological Impact of Undercover Operations on Criminal Investigators
  81. A Systematic Review of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy in Forensic Populations
  82. The Effect of Community-Based Interventions on Reducing Youth Crime Rates
  83. Qualitative Research on the Perceived Fairness of the Criminal Justice System Among Offenders
  84. The Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Desisting From Criminal Behaviour
  85. Research Study on the Psychological Impact of Long-Term Incarceration
  86. The Influence of Religion and Spirituality on Criminal Rehabilitation Outcomes
  87. Quantitative Study on the Role of Aggression in Predicting Domestic Violence Recidivism  

Frequently Asked Questions

To find criminal psychology dissertation topics:

  1. Study recent legal and psychological issues.
  2. Explore forensic psychology literature.
  3. Analyse real-life cases or controversies.
  4. Investigate rehabilitation methods.
  5. Consider profiling or mental health aspects.
  6. Opt for a topic that captivates your interest and has research potential.

Offender profiling, juvenile delinquency, psychopathy, mental illness and crime, criminal decision-making, rehabilitation effectiveness, victimology, forensic assessment, the impact of trauma, substance abuse, recidivism, radicalisation, and the psychological effects of incarceration.

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    Avatar for Owen IngramIngram is a dissertation specialist. He has a master's degree in data sciences. His research work aims to compare the various types of research methods used among academicians and researchers.