Many of the personality traits distinguishing offenders from nonoffend
ers reflect interpersonal characteristics. This study examined the rel
ationship of levels of criminality to interpersonal style in forensic
psychiatric patients suffering from major mental illness (n = 143) and
those without mental illness (n = 59). Observers rated patients on a
measure of the interpersonal circle (CIRCLE: Chart of Interpersonal Re
actions in Closed Living Environments) from which scores on dominance-
submission and nurturance-hostility dimensions were derived. Mentally
ill offenders were more submissive than those without mental illness,
but in both groups, offenders with higher levels of criminal convictio
ns were more dominant than those with the lowest levels. Correlational
analysis indicated that offenders with extensive criminal careers who
are not mentally ill have a more dominant and coercive interpersonal
style. Similar, but less pronounced trends were apparent among mentall
y ill offenders. These findings suggest that persistent lawbreaking ma
y represent attempts to master a social environment perceived as hosti
le.