Psychopath Analysis

When we look at how fragile each one of our lives are, we need to take a minute and realize the different characteristics that form us into who we are today. Studies have shown that there are characteristics within the behavior of an individual that can be linked to the specific behaviors demonstrated by an offender that would classify them as a psychopath. Along with other research that looks into an individual’s genetics to see if that plays a role in defining or making a psychopath. John Allen Muhammad, also known as the D.C. sniper, was labeled as a psychopath when he terrorized D.C. for two weeks, taking thirteen victims and killing ten of them. This paper will go over the behaviors that constitute psychopathy, and the behaviors that

In Chapter 4, we talked about mental disorders and how it was difficult for psychiatrists to figure out criteria that would help them decide which offenders are mentally ill, which is also known as psychopathy (Adler, Mueller, and Laufer 2013, pg. 103).  Hare & McPherson (1984) states that “crimes and behavior of psychopaths are more violent and aggressive than are those of other criminal”. We learned that it is difficult to get reasons that would help determine which offenders are mentally ill. Adler, Mueller, Laufer (2013) stated that, “Some psychologists consider psychopathy to be an artificial label for an antisocial personality" (pg. 104). As we learned many criminals are labeled and it seems interesting to see that psychopaths are very hard to label. In

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

This article states that we need to stop interchanging psychopath and sociopath, as they are two different disciplines. Pemment goes into detail about the history, research, and growth of psychopathy. He says that we need to understand the difference between the two, as the behavioral characteristics and potential treatments for each are different. The article includes details on Hervey Cleckley and Robert Hares work on psychopathy. The article describes the PCL-R, and how Hare says the test should be done. The PCL-R is used as a screening tool to identify psychopaths, and

The past violence that the subject and his brother suffered through is a large factor in their need for violent satisfaction. The lack of emotional support and adoration can connect with the subject’s sexual gratification that he achieves through killing. Relentless abuse ongoing throughout childhood backed by neglect in school (often connatural with social mistreatment) can “create a violent, deviant personality” (Pakhomou, 220). Children are greatly impact with what surrounds them. The negativity and violence that are exposed to them will form lasting flashbulb memories that can shape not only their actions in the future but how they understand and perceive life. Violence plays a big part in developing the characteristics of a serial killer, but there are also other components that can lead to a distraught and homicidal person. In a research composed by James Beasley, he presents several different factors of development into becoming a serial killer through the case studies of seven offenders. Offender number three had multiple challenges that led him to become as aggressive and hostile as he was. As a child, his mother was completely absent and was an alcoholic. His stepfather, who physically and verbally abused him, lacked the comfort and attention any child would need. After learning that he would repeat the third grade, his behavior became hostile and he showed a lack of self-esteem. At the age of seven, the subject already began to show

"The Psychology of a Psychopath." Science of People. N.p., 31 Mar. 2017. Web. 01 May

Introduction The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast the constructs of psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder. The aim is to highlight whether the terms psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder reflect the same construct or whether they differ. Furthermore, recommendations for treatment of criminal behavior will be explored. For the purposes of this evaluation some definitions need to be highlighted: Criminal offence is an act that breaks a law, which relates how to behave in society. The harm caused by the act is seen to be against society as a whole, not just a specific person. Sometimes it refers to the specific law that was broken (Herring, 2009). Crime is the breach of rules or law for which some authority

Sociopaths are here in our society, and cannot be avoided. In every 25 people, you will come across 1 sociopath. How they are created; by nature or nurture, is up for debate, but that isn’t the problem.The problem is the lack of acknowledging such people, as well as them acknowledging it themselves. To do this, it must be understood what exactly it is and how it makes them different from others, how it affects them personally and society in the short and long term, and lastly how to cope with themselves and how society will began to cope with sociopaths.

The word “psychopath” may call to mind the sadistic Hollywood cannibal Hannibal Lector or the infamous serial killer from the 1970s Ted Bundy. This perception of psychopathy is accurate but incomplete. Psychopaths are significantly more likely to make contact with the criminal justice system and their crimes also tend to be more violent than those of other criminals (Carré et al., 2013). Psychopaths are found to be responsible for approximately 50% of serious crimes and make up about 20% of North American prisons (Hare, 1999).  Psychopaths are notorious for being among society’s most dangerous individuals; however, this category not only refers to the ruthless serial killers, sex-offenders, and stereotypical convicts. In reality, most psychopaths are not criminals. In fact, most psychopaths possess a superficial charm that makes them rather appealing. This paper will focus less on the extreme, criminalized psychopath and more on those whom we might unknowingly encounter in everyday life. After exploring the diagnostic criteria for psychopaths and how the qualities associated with psychopathy tend to be favored in the workplace, this paper will examine how the disorder poses ethical problems for corporations and how society is dealing with the issue.

Recent research into psychopathy in Britain and America have conducted studies from scientist who believe that they’re close to discovering the root cause of the condition. They are now able to look inside the brain of a psychopath. This discovery from scientist suggest that psychopaths are born not made. Their condition is the result of a specific malfunction of the brain. The complexity of psychopathy has made it difficult to treat. General public has a perception of psychopaths but are unaware that their psychopaths among them who are non-serial killers. One in every 200 of the population is psychopathic and the vast majority are neither criminal or in prison. Psychopathy who engage in crime,

"And he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation. " The narrator who had the proud name of a Montresor, had the psychopathic traits of charming as he devilishly thought of what he was yet to do. (Poe, Edgar Allan) This man for sure had many psychopathic traits ranging from sly and charming to feeling no remorse or empathy to feeling so much self-worth that he had to kill! Montresor was most-definitely a psychopath.("Psychopathic")

The Scientific American supports the idea of the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath by detailing in an article titled inside the mind of a psychopath. Confirms both what Mass murder, and without conscious have to say regarding the “born” vs “made” in regards to sociopaths v.s. psychopaths. The article references a detailed analysis of EEG’s done to see the possible reactions, that a person can have emotions. Subjects that rated low on the psychopathy checklist had a tendency to have strong emotional reactions to words such as “death”, “blood”, “rape”, “murder” in comparison to a very low emotional reaction to neutral words such as “house”, “table”, “tree” etc. as opposed to individuals who rated highly on the psychopathy checklist had the same reaction regardless of what the words were. This shows a distinct separation in understand empathy and emotions from a logical standpoint, but not from a truly emotional standpoint. It's as if they can read the words of emotion, but

There are advantages to the Hare Checklist, specifically identification of the checklist as one of the most reliable tests at detecting psychopathy, if used by trained, professional personnel (Hare, 1990). The checklist is extensive in the identification of psychopathy, containing a 20 items long list as well as an interview and a review of past records and behaviors (Hare, 1990). The benefits of the checklist include determining the most effective care for an individual diagnosed as a psychopath, and responsibility for identifying possible psychopaths in prisons and other institutions who may become repeat offenders of violent crime (Hare, 1990). The checklist is able to predict, in some cases, the probability of another violent behavior occurring (Hare, 1990).

Further research found high scores of psychopathy to be associated with proactive aggression for both children and adults and therefore suggest that proactive aggression could possibly be an indicator of psychopathic behaviours (Kolla et al., 2013). This has been noted through all stages of development. The literature has also shown that proactive aggression tends to be related to behavioural problems, hyperactive behaviour and impulsive acts (Scarpa, Haden & Tanaka, 2010). In previous studies correlations have demonstrated that substance abuse and family violence is also related to proactive aggression (Connor et al., 2004; Frick & Marsee, 2006), while youth who have been a victim of sexual abuse display reactive aggressive behaviours (Connor et al., 2004).