Psychology, Criminology and their link in Human Resources

These two behavioral science professionals can work together in the company.

The area of Human Resources (HR) is one of the most important areas for any private sector corporation. Every organization should have such an area, oriented to the proper management of human assets, and more specifically, the workforce.

Recruitment, hiring, training, education, training and retention of talent are just a few of the areas that and talent retention are just some of the most important tasks of this area, which is often 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 choosing to include a criminologist in this area. to include a criminologist in this areaThe knowledge of criminal phenomena is extremely useful. But what exactly are the competencies of a criminologist in the area of human resources?

Clarifying what a criminologist does

A criminologist in HR? Aren't they supposed to work for the attorney general's office and penitentiary centers?

First of all, it is necessary to clarify that the criminologist's job is to analyze, study, quantify and intervene on antisocial behaviors. on antisocial behaviors (i.e., those that violate the common good and generally transgress social norms) using the scientific method, understanding man as a biopsychosocial entity and that, therefore, criminal behavior develops in a conjunction of these three aspects (social, Biological and psychological).

Tasks of the criminologist

Thus, some of the tasks of the criminologist are:

• Determine why a person or group transgresses the law, why the idea of being punished does not deter him/her and what were the factors that drove him/her to commit the crime.

• Mitigate the criminal opportunities of a person or population.

• Evaluate possible risk behaviors and make prophylaxis to prevent them from becoming a subsequent crime.

• To quantify the antisocial tendencies of a specific individual or group.

Crime being a universal and complex phenomenonIn addition to the public sector, not only the public sector demands their collaboration, but also the private sector, i.e. companies.

If you are interested in knowing more about the work of the criminologist, you may be interested in this article: "Criminology: the science that studies crimes and offenses".

Main areas where the criminologist can intervene

Once the criminologist's work has been defined, it is now time to define what are their areas of development within the Human Resources department in order to better understand how he/she can perform his/her job:

• Employment-relatedEmployment-related: this includes all activities related to staffing, talent attraction and training.

• Strengthening labor relationsThe main objective is to solve labor problems and minimize friction between employees, creating a pleasant working environment.

• About personnel managementHR criminologist: basically it is about managing the company's human assets in a way that is efficient and capable.

Competencies of the HR criminologist

Within the Human Resources departments, criminologists can intervene in the following processes:

Personnel selection.

There will be profiles within the workforce that will require to go through much more delicate selection filters. For example, if we require someone who has access control to sensitive information, the criminologist can intervene in such filters. In addition, in this process he/she will be able to determine the possible antisocial tendencies of the future candidate.

Personnel training

Let's suppose that a company is dedicated to providing security services through the provision of security elements. Who better than a corporate criminologist (who took police organization as an undergraduate subject) to train these personnel?

Follow-up and handling of dismissals

The dismissal of a staff member can be an extremely complicated situation that could even put the integrity of the company at risk. could jeopardize the integrity of the company if not handled correctly.

The criminologist understands perfectly well the definition of a critical discharge: that situation of abandonment of a member of the company whose dismissal could cause problems, for example, in the case of people who leave dissatisfied with the organization or are dismissed for aggressive behavior and that depending on the level of access that the employee had, he/she will have more sensitive information and privileged resources.

Application of psychometric tests

The criminologist has standardized tools that allow him to evaluate antisocial tendencies, frustration tolerance, criminogenic threshold, criminal dangerousness, proclivity to dishonesty, abuse, etc., which are extremely useful in the process of hiring and retaining personnel.

Labor conflicts

The criminologist can act as an intermediary in the resolution of disputes due to his knowledge of conciliation and arbitration..

Prevention of occupational hazards

His knowledge in risk assessment and management makes him a valuable element to mitigate objects and events that could harm employees. that could harm employees.

Identification of criminogenic factors within the organization.

Timely detection of criminogenic factors to which each employee or each area is subject is an effective way to prevent future crimes against the corporation.

Investigation of personnel

Work can be done to to determine absenteeism, to determine responsibility for offenses committed by employees, to evaluate the social aspect of a job candidate, etc. by employees, to evaluate the social aspect of a job candidate, etc.

The criminologist and the psychologist in the HR department

Why is it important criminologist and psychologist to work together in the HR area? in the area of Human Resources?

As the well-known saying goes, "there is strength in numbers" and as we have seen, the criminologist can become a valuable element in this area of the company. This joint relationship should be seen as a valuable effort that can increase the performance of the company since it will allow a productive and efficient management of the human resources of the organization.

The psychologists who work in and manage this department must ensure a relationship of interdependence with the criminologist with the criminologist as this will allow for better management of the staff within the corporation.

Given that both are experts in behavioral sciencesIn order to ensure reciprocity between the knowledge that each of them has, it will allow a greater, better and deeper knowledge of the competencies, skills, motivations, defects and needs of employees and future candidates.

A correct management of human capital is the first step towards a competitive company, since it will not only be recognized by the international organizations that regulate and audit them, but also by the employees themselves; at the same time increasing the value of the company in the market.