Relationship between the honesty–humility personality trait and criminal choice: Parallel mediation analysis

The process of criminal choice is a key step in individual criminal behavior. In this study we explored the relationship between the honesty–humility personality trait and criminal choice within different mental processing modes. We developed four crime scenarios and administered them to 341 college students in China, who then completed measures of negative affect, honesty–humility, risk-perception, and criminal-choice variables. The results showed honesty–humility, negative affect, risk-perception, and criminal-choice elements were all significantly correlated with each other. Additionally, negative affect and risk perception played a parallel mediating role in the relationship between honesty–humility characteristics and criminal choice. These findings contribute to understanding of the potential mechanism underlying the link between honesty–humility characteristics and criminal choice, and provide new insights into strategies for reducing criminal activities.