Self-Reported Violent Offending Among Subjects with Genius-Level IQ Scores

• NCJ Number: 242701
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 8 Dated: November 2012 Pages: 715-730
• Author(s): J. C. Oleson; Rachael Chappell
• Date Published: November 2012
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This research describes the self-reported offending of 465 high-IQ subjects for 8 violent crimes.

Abstract

While research indicates offenders have IQ scores approximately 8 points below the population average of 100, very little is known about the crimes of individuals with above-average IQ scores. The current research is not limited to acts of family violence, but it describes the self-reported offending of 465 high-IQ subjects for 8 violent crimes: robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, making a serious threat, serious assault, homicide, constructing an explosive device, kidnapping, and attempting suicide. Rates of prevalence and incidence are reported and compared to the rates from a control group of 756 individuals with average IQ scores. High-IQ subjects reported higher rates of prevalence, incidence, and arrest, but lower levels of conviction, than controls. A significant positive correlation exists for offenders between IQ score and lifetime incidence rate for robbery, homicide, and kidnapping, and a significant negative correlation exists between IQ score and incidence of attempted suicide. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.