The Clinical-Psychological Approach to Criminology of the Argentine Psychologist Josè Ingenieros

This article aims to present the psychological clinical approach in the criminals’ study as it emerged in the work of the argentine psychologist Josè Ingegnieros (1877-1925). We highlight how Ingegnieros’s work in the early twentieth century focused on the clinical observation of criminals and formed the basis of the classification he developed. His method of classifying delinquents was based on how the different modes of functioning of the psyche can lead to crime. His clinical psychological approach to the study of delinquents was the subject of his participation at the International Congress of Psychology held in Rome in 1905. From our historical analysis of Ingegnieros’ main works, an innovative approach emerges with respect to his contemporary context at a time when most studies of criminals took an anthropological or sociological perspective.