Psychology, Criminology and its link in Human Resources
The area of Human Resources (HR) It is one of the most important for any corporation in the private sector. Every organization must have an area like this, oriented to the correct management of human assets, and more specifically, to the workforce.
Selection, recruitment, training, training and the retention of talent are just some of the most important tasks in this area, which is often being directed by professionals in psychology, since they perfectly understand mental processes such as motivation, personal and interpersonal skills, needs ... factors among others that are closely related to the efficiency of human capital.
However, more and more companies are opting for include a criminologist within this area , since their knowledge about the criminal phenomenon is extremely useful. But, what exactly are the competencies of a criminologist in the area of human resources?
- Related article: "Psychology of work and organizations: a profession with a future"
Clarifying what a criminologist does
A criminologist in HR? That they are not supposed to work for the prosecutor's offices and penitentiaries?
In the first place, it is necessary to clarify that the work of the criminologist is to analyze, study, quantify, and intervene about antisocial behaviors (that is, those that violate the common good and that generally transgress social norms) using the scientific method, understanding man as a biopsychosocial entity and, therefore, criminal behavior develops in a conjunction of these three aspects (social, biological and psychological).
Criminologist's tasks
Thus, some of the work of the criminologist are:
- Determine why a person, or group transgresses the law, why the idea of being sanctioned does not deter him and what were the factors that motivated him to commit the crime.
- Mitigate the criminal opportunities of a person or population.
- Evaluate the possible risk behaviors and do prophylaxis to prevent them from becoming a subsequent crime.
- Quantify antisocial tendencies of a particular subject or group.
As crime is a universal and complex phenomenon , not only the public sector demands its collaboration but also the private sector, that is, the companies.
If you are interested in learning more about the criminologist's work, you may be interested in this article: "Criminology: the science that studies crimes and crimes."
Main areas where the criminologist can intervene
Once the work of the criminologist has been defined, now it's time to define what are your areas of development within the Human Resources department to better understand how you can perform your work:
- Related to employment : includes all activities that have to do with the workforce, the attraction of talent and their training.
- Based on the strengthening of labor relations : basically aims to solve labor problems and minimize friction between employees, promoting a pleasant work environment.
- About personnel management : Basically it is about managing the human assets of the company in a way that is efficient and capable.
Competencies of the criminologist in HR
Within Human Resources departments, criminologists can intervene in the following processes:
Staff selection
There will be profiles within the template that will require go through much more delicate selection filters . For example, if we require someone who has access control to sensitive information, in such filters, the criminologist can intervene. In addition, in this process you will be able to determine the possible antisocial tendencies of the future candidate.
- You may be interested: "Psychopathy: what happens in the mind of the psychopath?"
Staff training
Suppose a company is engaged in provide security services through the provision of security elements. Who better than a corporate criminologist (who took police organization as a career subject) to train this staff?
Monitoring and processing of dismissals
The dismissal of a person from the workforce can be an extremely complicated situation that even could put at risk the integrity of the company if it is not managed correctly.
The criminologist understands perfectly the definition of low criticism: the situation of abandonment of a member of the company whose dismissal could cause problems, for example, in the case of people who are dissatisfied with the organization or are dismissed for aggressive behavior and depending on of the level of access that the employee had, will have more sensitive information and privileged resources.
Application of psychometric tests
The criminologist has standardized tools that allow you to evaluate antisocial tendencies, tolerance to frustration, criminogenic threshold, criminal dangerousness, proclivity to dishonesty, abuse, etc. and that are extremely useful in the hiring process and staff permanence.
Labor conflicts
The criminologist can act as an intermediary in the resolution of conflicts for their knowledge of conciliation and arbitration .
Prevention of occupational hazards
His knowledge in risk assessment and management makes it a valuable element to mitigate objects and events that could harm employees .
Identification of criminogenic factors within the organization
The timely detection of the criminogenic factors to which each employee or each area is subject is an effective way to prevent future crimes against the corporation.
Staff research
You can work for determine absenteeism, determine responsibility for crimes committed by employees, to evaluate the social aspect of the candidate for a position, etc.
The criminologist and the psychologist in HR
Because it is important that the criminologist and the psychologist work together in the area of Human Resources?
As the well-known saying goes, "the union makes the force" and is that as we have seen, the criminologist can become a valuable element in this area of the company. This joint relationship must be seen as a valuable effort that can increase the performance of the company given that it will allow a productive and effective management of the human resources of the organization.
The psychologists who work and direct this department they must ensure an interdependent relationship with the criminologist since this will allow a better management of the staff within the corporation.
Given the both are experts in behavioral science , ensuring reciprocity between the knowledge that each one of them has, will allow a greater, better and deeper knowledge about the competences, skills, motivations, defects and needs of the workers and future candidates.
A correct management of human capital it is the first step towards a competitive company, given that it will not only be recognized by the international organizations that regulate and audit it, but also by the employees themselves; In turn, the value of this is increased in the market.
