A new study among young Danish men confirms the assumption that risk-tolerant, impatient and self-centered people are more likely to commit crimes than risk averse, patient and altruistic people are.

In general, however, we lack knowledge about the role of people’s preferences in relation to the risk of ending up committing a crime. Researchers from Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality at the University of Copenhagen have therefore tested the assumption that character traits such as risk tolerance and impatience are more prevalent among criminals.

«In addition to looking at the importance of cognitive skills and socio-economic background, we have also examined a number of personal preferences in relation to criminal behavior. And we can clearly see that certain preferences play a key role,» says Professor Claus Thustrup Kreiner.

Thieves take chances

According to the researchers, willingness to take risks turns out to be a key characteristic of many criminals.

«The propensity to commit crime is twice as high for the most risk-tolerant individuals compared to the least risk-tolerant,» emphasizes Claus Thustrup Kreiner.

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Materials provided by University of Copenhagen. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.