Psychological Diagnosis: Charles Cullen The Angel Of Death

Psychopathy is an umbrella term that is both wide and varied. Much like the spectrum of light, there are numerous groups and subcategories. In this spectrum is Anti- Social Personality Disorder (referred to as ASPD in this essay); this condition unlike psychopathy is a recognized disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (referred to as the DSM). The term psychopathy and psychopath is used in both the media and everyday use as a disorder but this is untrue. Unlike a disorder, psychopathy is more of a series of traits that all individuals have. ASPD and psychopathy are used interchangeably in society, but the diagnosis for ASPD and psychopathy are quite different. Though similar in numerous ways, there are some key

Around the world, several new cases of serial homicides are reported every year. (Vronsky 15). Ninety-seven percent of serial murders are committed by psychopaths: someone who lacks a conscience, feels no remorse, cares exclusively for his own pleasures and cannot empathize with the suffering of his victims (Levin and Fox 4). The psychopathic state is not a mental illness but is a behavioral or personality disorder (Vronsky 245). When these behavioral components are combined with the desire to kill, an addiction is triggered and rarely broken. The psychology of a psychopathic serial killer produces specific character traits that cannot be altered therefore rehabilitation and imprisonment will be unsuccessful in treatment.

Individuals with psychopathic personality are characterized by a constellation of traits, including interpersonal-affective features such as superficial charm, manipulation, lack of affect and emotion, and antisocial features such as impulsivity and aggression. (Gao, 2011). These traits in turn have been linked to a disregard for laws and social mores, a disregard for the right of others, a failure to feel remorse or guilt and a tendency to display violent behavior (Kennedy, 1954). Furthermore, their interpersonal behavior has been described as selfish, dominant, manipulative, and superficial; showing a lack of responsibility within relationships; and inability to form long-lasting bonds. Psychopaths are described

Ted Bundy was one the most well-known textbook psychopaths, who was characterized as a sexual psychopath due to him sexually assaulting his victims, whom were all white, thin, single, females. Psychopathic personality traits that Bundy exhibited according to the PCL-R scale were, intelligence, and superficial charm. Bundy’s charm was first noted DR Carlisse, whom was the psychiatrist who evaluated Bundy after his first arrest, His charm was used to reel in his victims by pretending to be injured by wearing crutches of arms slings, during his political campaign, and in his failed attempt to evade arrest and the death penalty. He was a timid and insecure person due to being of middle class in a classroom full wealthy students, and having a dependency

(Winerman, n.d.) However, the simple ‘’organised/disorganised’’ classification did not provide any real clues as to specific personality types of serial killers nor did it address the specific motivations as to why they killed in the first place. This proved to be a tricky task for criminal profilers at the time because even today, a single ‘’serial killer personality'' trait has never been found. However, over the years as more and more serial killers have been identified and brought to justice, profilers have been able to identify common denominators within different serial killers and as a result have been able to group them into a six different classifications: Visionary types, Mission-oriented types, Hedonistic types, power/control types, recognition seeker types as well as material gainer seekers. (Labuschagne, 2009) Visionary killers often suffer from psychoses or other severe forms of mental illnesses. This variety of serial killer usually commits their crimes based purely on psychotic delusions or orders from ‘’God’’ ‘’Demons’’ or other supernatural entities. (Labuschagne,

People who are diagnosed with psychopathy have what it takes to defraud others: they can be fast talkers, they can be charming, they can be self-assured and at ease in social situations; they are cool under pressure, unfazed by the possibility of being found out, and totally ruthless. And even when they are exposed, they can carry on as if nothing has happened, often making their accusers the targets of accusations of being victimized by them.

The definition of psychopathy involves deficits in areas of functioning, such as, selective attention, anxiety and fear processing, moral reasoning, and criminal violations of society’s rules (Vien & Beech, 2006). Furthermore, there are a number of personality qualities linked with psychopathy, which include, interpersonal and affective traits such as, lack of empathy, shallow affect, callousness, shallow emotions, grandiosity, superficiality, manipulation, and charisma(De Brito, Viding, Kumari, Blackwood, & Hodgins, 2013; Murrie, Boccaccini, Caperton, & Ruffino, 2012). In addition, other

The narrators in “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Black Cat,” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” want readers, to understand why they behaved liked psychopaths. However, because of the circumstances, these narrators prove unreliable and we can’t help but to identify them as psychopaths and sympathize with their victims. Psychopath is defined as a mental disorder in which an individual can act normal, but has extreme anger issues. A psychopath can usually live a normal life, but when they are alone a different person comes out. They don’t like to be tested with their abilities because it makes them feel weak. These people don’t have relationships and learn from failures.

This paper explores the physical and mental abnormalities of one who suffers from Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD), what the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has produced about it, and specific characters who suffer from the disorder. The DSM, although very accurate and authentic, will not be the sole reference- it will merely benefit the definition, symptoms, and treatment of ASPD. Actual, psychical brain abnormalities of one who endures ASPD will be represented- along with two disorders that very well relate to ASPD: sociopathy and psychopathy.

Have you ever wondered what goes through the mind of a psychopath, and what some of the symptoms, treatments, and facts about the disease/disorder are? You shall find out in this paper. Psychopathy is a dangerous disorder that an increasing amount of people have, and needs to be taken seriously as it has been responsible for many deaths and negative results throughout its tenure as a mental disease. It can be defined as a mental disorder in which the individual does not know the difference between right and wrong and in some cases they do not care (Hirstein, 2013). There are several symptoms, causes, and treatments for people with this disorder and different ways to approach them. It has also had a large effect on decisions in the court room

Moreover, “when an antisocial personality combines keen intelligence with no conscience, the result may be a charming and clever con artist, a ruthless corporate executive- or worse” (Myers, 538). However, this does not mean that people with antisocial personality disorder walk amongst us to physically or mentally injure others; they are solely unable to fulfill responsibilities dealing with social interactions and empathizing with societal views.

Imagine a world with no emotion, no feeling, and no remorse; A world where love, happiness, and hurt was non existent. Welcome to the world of a psychopath. Although scientist do not classify psychopathy as a mental illness, a psychopath is defined as a person suffering from a chronic mental disorder with abnormal violent of social behavior (Psychopath). Psychopaths are human beings just like everyone else except they lack the one thing that makes life worth living: feelings. They do not have ability to show empathy and remorse towards others. Psychopaths are commonly mistaken for sociopaths. While sociopaths have a conscience but tend to disregard it, psychopaths on the other hand do not have a conscience. In other words, sociopaths choose to be the way they are while psychopaths do not have control over the way they are. Psychologist’s have begun to take a deeper look into the lives of imprisoned psychopaths to determine who they are, both their biological and psychological roots, their patterns, and possible treatments.

When we think of psychopaths, many associate a lack of emotion and a cold detachment from the society the rest of us exist in. For some, the elegant and brilliant Hannibal Lecter is visualized or perhaps some nameless CEO in the oil business with no regard for anyone but himself. By definition, psychopathy is a mental disorder that makes it difficult or impossible for the afflicted to process emotions and experiences the way a majority of the population does. However, American popular culture has taken an affliction and equated it to serial killers, dehumanizing. Moments of blind rage, almost murderous intent triggered over superficial arguments in daily life brings up the question:

Mass murders and planned killing sprees; the average person cannot grasp how any normal-thinking human can commit such heinous acts. This illustrates the contrasting mindsets of an average person and a psychopath, who are often guilty of these acts. Psychopathy is traditionally viewed as a personality disorder defined by antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and disinhibited and impulsive behavior. Psychopathy is therefore associated with an increased risk of crime and violence, creating a formidable challenge for the justice systems. Although psychopaths’ crimes are inexcusable and they should be punished, if society intervenes before a psychopath reaches criminal status, we could prevent many tragedies. Psychopathy is a mental disorder that can be diagnosed early in a person’s life and, if reared in a healthy environment and taught how to channel anger and behavior, a psychopath is capable of living a normal and peaceful life.

Anti-social personality disorder, sometimes referred to as a sociopathic personality, is defined as a psychiatric behavioral disorder in which the individuals affected “show no regard for the moral and ethical rules of society or the rights of others” (Feldman, 2018). This disorder, also known as psychopathy, was the first personality disorder to be recognized in psychiatry (Ogloff, 2006). People with this disorder may appear intelligent and socially normal at first, but their manipulative and deceptive behavior will show through quickly. Once the person behaves in a way that is harmful to another person, or animal, they would understand intelligently that they caused harm, but are incapable of feeling remorse for their actions. Without remorse, the consequences of the behavior may become ineffective, as no lesson is learned (Thompson, et.al., 2014). This disorder will affect people in both their personal lives and at work. Bills will go