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Why does mental illness account for only a relatively small proportion of crimes?

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collection of evidence at a crime scene — criminology FBI workers collecting evidence.

In the field of criminology, it is established that mental illness accounts for only a relatively small proportion of total crimes.1

While the public perception of this link may be exaggerated due to the high-profile nature or severity of certain crimes committed by individuals with mental disorders, empirical evidence does not support the idea that mental illness is a primary driver of criminal activity on a broad scale.1

Instead, criminologists generally view criminal behavior as the result of complex interactions between biological predispositions and social experiences. Other theories emphasize factors such as:12

Social Learning: The process by which behavior is learned through interactions with family, peers, and media models.1
Sociological Factors: Theories like anomie suggest that crime can be a normal adaptation to an individual's social environment, particularly when they are unable to achieve goals through socially acceptable means.2
Biological and Biochemical Factors: Research has explored links between criminality and factors such as neurotransmitter imbalances, hormonal levels, and environmental influences like lead exposure.32

Ultimately, because most people with mental disorders do not commit crimes, mental illness is not considered a universal explanation for criminal behavior.13