Is A Child Psychopath?

An additional aspect connected with psychopathy is the incomplete repressed capability to make the dissimilarity among ethical and conventional offenses. An ethical offense could be explained as one that is distinct due to its punishments relevant to the privileges and welfare of individuals. A conventional offense could be explained by its punishments relevant for the good of the social order. In the instance of those with psychopathy, individuals make a reduced amount of association to the victims that were part of the situation, and additionally appear to have a time that is more complex trying distinguishing between ethical and conventional offenses mentioned during the situation. ("Psychopathy: A Misunderstood Personality Disorder", 2011). Therefore, if there is nothing eliminating the action or offense, adults as well as children with psychopathy, will most likely illustrate a diminished capacity to differentiate between the two types of offenses.

Nevertheless, while many would agree to these reasons, others might say otherwise. Jennifer Jenkins, in her article, “On Punishment and Teen Killers”, she refers to a time when her youngest sister and her husband were murdered by a juvenile criminal. In the article, she says that before her sister was killed, “She begged for the life of her unborn child as he shot her. Jennifer also says in the article that the murderer “...just wanted to see what it would feel like to shoot someone.” Of course, given this story, it can be argued that the murderer, “...was a serial killer in the making”, as Jennifer says. In addition to this, it can also be said that children with strong signs of conduct disorder, a juvenile form of A.S.P.D., or Anti-Social

When it comes to kids, we tend to baby them. We organize their lives and set limits on everything. If they want to do something outside those limits we tell them they are not old enough or they have not experienced enough of the world yet. After all, what can they possibly know about love, major decisions, and what is best for them? Yet somehow, despite all this, when they commit a crime we turn into hypocrites. Magically, they are geniuses who know everything about the world. In society’s eyes, they are no longer a child, but a monster.

Psychopathy, in both the mental health and criminal justice systems, has emerged as one of the most important clinical constructs of the 21st century (Hare, Clark, Grann, & Thornton, 2000, p. 623). Where clinically, psychopathy is traditionally described as a combination of inferred socially deviant behaviors and personality traits. Some traits and behaviors a psychopath is seen to possess are commonly known, for example, to being impulsive, selfish, aggressive, lacking remorse, shame, feeling for others, pathologically lying, and having asocial or antisocial behaviors (Hare, & Neumann, 2006, p. 59-60). One of the reasons as to why psychopathy has come to see an increase in the development of its theoretical and applied interest is the

Psychopaths have been around for more than a century, and have found themselves to be able to make the public fear them. Belle Gunness, the Zodiac Killer, and John Wayne Gacy are all examples for the character traits compatible with psychopathy and have been able to provide more reason to the research of psychopaths. Statistically, psychopathy is found in three percent of the male population and in one percent of one percent of the female population. A psychopath’s behavior of exploitation, lying, recklessness, and arrogance has been studied to further understand how their brain structure is different in MRI scans and how they are able to use special abilities to catch its victims. Many research studies have been able to provide more information

Review of literature indicates that there have been, and still are sociopathic children who kill, and commit sadistic crimes in this world. Is it possible that such young people can develop sociopathic traits? This paper intends to prove so. Sociopathic children display certain archetypes that can either be taken as a warning, or something to go off of when getting the child help. Children who develop sociopathic traits at a young age can most likely be treated with the help of psychologists, and constant encouragement from parents. However, some children do not take to the treatment and do not feel empathy, or remorse to those around them. If these children are not treated for their behavior, problems are more than likely to

In New York Times’ “Greg Ousley is Sorry For Killing His Parents. Is That Enough?”, Scott Anderson interviews Greg Ousley, who murdered his parents at age 14, and reveals that Greg’s familial neglect led to his mental illness and displayed ideation. Juveniles struggling with their mental health need guidance from trusted adults and also have a chance to rehabilitate as well. Age should be taken into consideration as well when regarding punishment. In Marjie Lundstrom’s reading “Kids Are Kids - Until They Commit Crimes”, she discusses that “And the bigger the crime, the more eager we are to call them adults.

Although it is difficult to imagine a child being psychopathic, it is crucial that we are able to recognize psychopathic behaviors in children. Mental health professionals say they could easily detect early psychopathic tendencies in childhood, but do not want to actually label the child a psychopath yet (Stenson, 2009). According to Duncan, it is difficult to imagine a child doing such things because everyone automatically expects them to fit into the Innocent/ The Child archetype (Schill, 2012).

For centuries, the world has been plagued with murderous criminals who find joy in the sick torture and killing of people they claim as victims. These offenders are often psychotic and sociopathic, feeling no guilt during or after the murder of their victims. As the years have progressed, studies have shown more clear information that may lead to determining why a person would choose to kill, why they would choose the specific victim that they do, and if their psychological problems relate back to their childhood. Many theories claim that the upbringing of the child may cause their psychological problems, while other theories state that it is a work of mother nature.

Children as young as eleven are committing crimes, but they are very young and know nothing about the real world. In "Startling Finds on Teenage Brains", the verdict kon a fourteen year old who shot his middle school teacher was the following: "A child is not a man"(89). Although he was found guilty of second degree murder, they did not sentence him to life in prison. His verdict was right because he is not a man, he is only fourteen years old and has not even gone to high school. This article also talks about how teens act on impulse, especially since in their teen years the

Most people believe that a twelve year old who plans the death of his parents is a “serial killer in the making” (Jenkins). However, a one time offense does not mean that a kid will undoubtedly grow up to become a criminal. People who think like this are of the train of thought that a crime is a crime no matter who commits it, but that should not be the basis on which juveniles are locked up for the rest of their lives. Although it is true that by a certain age youth should should know right from wrong, the cases of maturity vary with individuals. Not only that, but a handful of these kids are brought up in bad environments and act without thinking things through. Paul Thompson’s research of brain development at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the loss of brain tissue during teenage years is massive. Thompson states that “brain cells and connections are only being lost in the areas controlling impulses, risk-taking, and self-control.” The criminal actions of a juvenile are not accidental, but they are not well thought-out or controlled either. Given the opportunity and the right help, these juveniles could

“ I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing. I was born with the evil one standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I was ushered into the world, and he has been with me since’’ – H.H. Holmes. Do you ever wonder what drives a human to kill another human? Serial killers are made not born, it has been proven by many different people, that a person’s early years are the most important years. I feel as if they are driven to the point of insanity, to the point where they can’t control it. A child’s first few years are a time to figure things out for themselves, a time to put the pieces of the puzzle in place. As an infant the brain development is dependent

“Children are frontally disinhibited beings. Adolescents still are frontally dishibited (check if this should be disinhibited) beings because of the remarkable late maturation of the frontal cortex” (Sapolsky, 2005). As a direct result of this, we need to question whether or not a 13-year-old is a violent criminal or should be sentenced to prison for committing acts of murder. As a family court judge, I have come across many cases of adolescent crime and each one tells a different story – it makes it that much harder to determine if there were criminal tendencies on the path of the offender and to what extent he was conscious of his actions. Elian, at 13-years-old, has been charged with the schoolyard shooting and killing of children who

Many believe it is impervious for an innocent adolescent to be born with the capability to commit a heinous act suchlike murder. But how could we depraved humanity so much as to turn an innocent child into a homicidal lunatic? This theory has been long disputed by psychologists and criminologists alike, who continuously bicker over whether or not these “degenerates” should be damned for their acts or granted amnesty for being born with an attribute beyond their control. Serial murderers are some of the most terrifying yet brilliant human beings in history due to their ability to kill numerous amounts of people and still have no remorse for their tormented victims.

Children are children, whether they are neurotypical or not. Some may argue that since afflicted children do have the potential to become dangerous and are not aware of their disorders, their parents should stop treating them like a child and treat them as criminals. This is incredibly immoral and should be deemed inexcusable, as neurodivergent children, whether guilty of inappropriate behavior, are still people and deserve the same rights as neurotypicals.Aa proper support system and a loving home have been known to prevent the triggering of a psycho or sociopath’s impulsive behavior, so losing this vital aspect in one’s life will only put them and others in danger more (“The Sociopathic