...Are Psychopaths Violent? Topics as intriguing as the one our group has deserve to have more attention and that is how we tackled the topic. First of all, what is psychopathy was a point we needed to clarify. Psychopathy is a collection of affective, interpersonal and behavioral characteristics including, impulsivity, lack of remorse and empathy, superficial, doesn’t accept responsibility, poor behavioral controls, lack of goals, grandiose, deceitful and adolescent and adults anti-social behavior (Hare, 2000) These characteristics do not relate to criminal behavior but some of characteristics do make the people more willing to commit crime these features are also seen as related to Anti-social personality disorder. The criteria in the diagnosis...
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...people think of a psychopath or sociopath they think of a person who is violent and has a lack of guilt. These traits are both true. But, a psychopath has many more characteristics that people see with the naked eye. Most psychopaths are anti-social and do not relate to others as normal people do. They usually plan out their violent attacks with no emotion or sympathy to what they do. To some people they get the tags “emotionless,” “fearless,” and “unstoppable.” The reason that psychopaths do not fear anything is because they somehow lack anxiety and feel that nothing matters to them. It is also hard to say what motivates a psychopath, could it be control or dominance possibly, but most psychopaths have had no long relationships with anyone in their lives or any purpose for the things they do other than planning violence. They tend to have a grandiose demeanor and an attitude of entitlement like other people owe them something. Certain brain disorders and hormonal imbalances make a person become a psychopath. There are four different types of psychopaths. First, there are primary psychopaths. This type of person does not respond to any type of punishment, apprehension, stress, or disapproval for the things that they do. For a primary psychopath, words to not connect to them like words would for a normal person. It is also unclear to scientist if they even understand the meaning of their own words and this is a condition known as “semantic aphasia.” These psychopaths have no life...
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...among Genders: The Sociopath and Psychopath by Evelyn J. Dotson MS, University of Phoenix, 2015 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Psychology University of Phoenix March, 2015 Abstract Psychopathic and sociopathic general characteristic traits are found in both genders in various populations. More research on the general characteristic traits of females is needed. Research for the female populations will give professionals information about the differences displayed between genders. Different applied sciences will also further their knowledge in treatment options for either tendency. The study used explored if any differences existed between genders with intensified levels of psychopathic traits in regard to psychopathy factor scores. The sample consisted of 2,500 people of both genders (52.6% women) (M=22.15; SD=1.38) from the generalized population, aged 20-24. Results displayed women with psychopathic personality traits had significantly higher levels of behavioral tendencies than men of the same. The genders did display a difference in aggressive behavior. The men showed a significant amount of aggressive behaviors compared to the women. The gender differences displayed in the seven psychopathic features show the variations needed for treatment options. Differences and Similarities in Generalized Characteristic Traits among Genders: The Sociopath and Psychopath by Evelyn J. Dotson MS, University...
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...Psychopaths Television and Hollywood are great at painting pictures of murderers and mean ugly people that do heinous things to innocent people that have no idea what they are in store for. Occasionally on some of the major criminal television shows like “Criminal Minds,” or “Law and Order,” they will tell a story that involves someone that is abused by a relative, neighbor, or a teacher. Even when this happens, it doesn’t paint a clear and concise picture of a criminal psychopath. Not all psychopaths are violent. In fact, many of them can function successfully in society. They are not all antisocial, but they are all very self-centered and everything that they do is to benefit them. “In short, psychopaths have a predatory quality to them, and in order to understand them, it is important to view them as classic predators” (Hare, 2009). Characteristics of Psychopaths There is no perfect way to describe a psychopath because they come in all shapes and sizes. Psychopaths can be either sex, surprisingly, almost one percent of the general male population are psychopaths. Some psychopaths are violent, and some are not. Some of them enjoy being the center of attention, and some are very antisocial and do not like being in crowds. “Psychopaths differ from each other, and their condition can vary in severity. Current research suggests a continuum of psychopath ranging from those who are highly psychopathic to persons who have the same number or fewer traits in a milder...
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...Serial killers are the most interesting and mysterious type of human being not only to the public but to professionals as well. They do things that are taboo or as others would call it, insane. Yet, the biggest question to all the madness is why? Why and how do serial killers do what they do? Then to narrow down these questions, a more transparent question is asked. Is a serial killer born or are they made? Some scientists and professionals claim that genetics is the sole reason for someone becoming a serial killer. Whether they were born with a different brain development or it is literally in their genetic makeup. Perhaps the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart is one of the best studies done to open our eyes to the truth. The study was led by Minnesota Professor of Psychology Thomas Joseph Bouchard, Jr. In total the study showed that psychopathy is 60 percent heritable. By just this study it is proven that psychopathic traits are due more to genetics than to someones childhood upbringing....
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...Criminal Behavior Lorenzo Reid Virginia College Online Abstract The following paper will address the different areas of the Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior. Within this paper, every aspect from theories to what the law states when it comes to this state will be addressed. Criminal Behavior Doctor Leon Eisenberg once stated, "...persons who are seriously mentally ill are far more likely to be the victims of violence than its initiators." (Campbell) Yet how true is that? When it comes to mental illness, there have been several violent crimes that have been committed, and been blamed on mental illness. There are several shows for entertainment such as the show “Criminal Minds”, that attempts to bring a reality and understanding to mental illness and criminal behavior. This show gives a reality to the fact that people can be simply mentally ill and not simply criminals. In early society times, people simply did not take mental illness into account. It was thought that people, regardless of their mental state, should be accountable for their actions. Yet, in today’s society, this is not the case. Due to research and a better developed country, citizens are given an opportunity to show that their mental state was not steady when they committed a crime. So, what is it then, which motivated a person to kill or maim another? How can a person kill someone else, or a numerous amount of people, with no remorse? These questions and several...
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...bullying or a dying parent. The only argument that makes sense is that Matthew had no control over his actions. Other psychologist take the humanistic approach, arguing that humans have free will and that personality traits play a small role on the choices that we make. If Matthew was acting from free will then what type of person is he? Saul McLeod published an article on freewill titled Humanism which talked about the theories and assumptions made in humanistic psychology. “….people are basically good, and have an innate need to make themselves and the world better. The humanistic approach emphasizes the personal worth of the individual, the centrality of human values, and the creative, active nature of human beings. The approach is optimistic and focuses on noble human capacity to overcome hardship, pain and despair. Both Rogers and Maslow regarded personal growth and fulfillment in life as a basic human motive. This means that each person, in different ways, seeks to grow psychologically and continuously enhance themselves (McLeod, par 9-10).” This psychologist, along with Maslow and Rogers believed that humans control what they do and how they react in different situations. But if McLeod is right then that means there is still something wrong with Matthew. McLeod believed that humans were good but Mathew does not fit that description, Shaun Nichols starts of his article questioning if free will is an illusion. He, along with other philosophers believe that free-will is...
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...THE EXECUTION OF PSYCHOPATHS Is the Performance Unconstitutional? Mental illness and capital punishment make an extremely controversial mix. However, what happens when the subject of psychopaths get introduced to this popular mix? The main focus of this paper is to shed some light on the argument of whether or not it is unconstitutional to execute psychopaths. This paper will introduce definitions, history, and current theories being introduced by both sides of the argument. Brief History of the Death Penalty on the Mentally Ill The death penalty is one of the most talked about punishments in the United States today. However, there are common misconceptions as to where did the death penalty originate in the United States. Early America actually...
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...Serial killers are not new; there have been many accounts of serial killers in past ages and in many different places around the world, so it's not just a part of one unique nation or time period. For example, one of the earliest recorded cases of serial murder was Locusta of Galt of the Roman Empire, who preferred the method of poison and was highly rewarded. But not enough information was recorded about her as to know how many people she killed and the span of years the killings took place. And there has been some discussion as to whether or not people like Lacousta were "serial killers", since by modern standards, the definition is different. But the intent to kill is there. The most typical example of the modern day Serial killer is "Jack...
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...What Makes Serial Killers Kill Naomi R. Bowles Valley College Author’s Note Written for Psychology: taught by Isaac Hatley What Makes Serial Killers Kill Looking back through the years there have been many serial killers. There are many throughout the country and even many that have killed in West Virginia. Many psychologists have tried to study serial killers and answer why serial killers kill and also if serial killers suffer from some type of psychological disorder. Doing my research I find that this is a task that is very hard to do. It is difficult to determine possibly because many serial killers turn out to be the people who you would least likely suspect. In this paper I will take a look as to whether serial killers may suffer from psychopathy. I will also attempt to focus on one particular serial killer – Dennis Rader – BTK. Psychology Of A Killer Many psychologists believe that psychological disorders are the only reason for the killings while other psychologists believe that the reason is the environment that they are raised in and/or are currently in. Seeking help when a person is young, if sadistic or animal cruelty behavior is caught early by their caregiver, can reduce the factors of becoming a serial killer. There also may be factors with nature and nurture and how that may have affected them in the creation of a future serial killer. According to my research, the most successful serial killers are people who blend into society who possibly could be a...
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...John was a psychopath who had no remorse. When john was captured he was able to give a detailed drawing of where all the bodies could be found. John was sentenced to the death penalty. The term serial killer was a term no one had heard of until about forty years ago. There are many definitions to the term serial killer. Each definition differs by the number of murders, the serial killers motivation, and the characteristics of the murders. The most known one is the FBI’s definition, which is “the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender, in separate events.” Numerous people may confuse the term serial killer with mass murders and spree killers. There are six categories of motive types of serial killers. These categories are visionary, mission-oriented, thrill-orientated, lust, power and control, and gain motivated. The visionary type means they hear voices or have visions and they are psychotic. The mission-oriented serial killers will kill a certain type or person because they think that they are bettering the world. The thrill-oriented type will kill because they have fun doing it. The lust motivated killers will kill because it turns them on. The power and control motivated is the most common type of serial killer, their goal is to gain power over their victims. The gain motivated killers are mostly not considered serial killers; they kill for material gain. Serial killers have three methods. These are the organized types, disorganized types, and mixed...
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...Children Psychopaths In 1979, sixteen-year-old Brenda Spencer received a rifle for her birthday. She used it to shoot kids at an elementary school near her San Diego home, wounding nine and killing two. A reporter asked her later why she had done it. Her answer: "I don't like Mondays. This livens up the day." In 1993, two bodies were found on a country road in Ellis County, Texas. One was male, one female. The boy, 14, had been shot, but the 13-year-old girl had been stripped, raped, and dismembered. Her head and hands were missing. The killer turned out to be Jason Massey, who had decided he was going to become the worst serial killer that Texas had ever seen. He tortured animals, stalked another young woman, and revered killers like Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, and Henry Lee Lucas. He was nine years old when he killed his first cat. He added dozens more over the years, along with dogs and even six cows. He had a long list of potential victims and his diaries were filled with fantasies of rape, torture, and cannibalism of female victims. He was a loner who believed he served a "master" who gave him knowledge and power. He was obsessed with bringing girls under his control and having their dead bodies in his possession. Nine-year-old Jeffrey Bailey, Jr. pushed a three-year-old friend into the deep part of a motel pool in Florida in 1986. He wanted to see someone drown. As the boy sank to the bottom, Jeffrey pulled up a chair to watch. When it was finished, he went home....
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...The biology of leadership The relation between leadership, psychopathy and hormones Master thesis Economics and Business 8th of August 2012 Name student: Ricardo Westendorp Student number: 294819rw Supervisor: Wouter van den Berg The biology of leadership PREFACE Around October, 2011, I started looking for a subject to graduate on, when a neuro-economical subject, involving the connection of leadership to psychopathy and hormones, crossed my path. I had to jump into it, because this subject matched the field I am interested in. Now, 8 months later, I present you my final work and I have enjoyed working on it. I have to be honest, this product would not have been able to be written if it wasn’t for the help of certain people. Therefore, I would like to use this section, to show my gratitude to some people, that helped me along the way. First of all, I thank the Erasmus School of Economics, for providing the financial support for this research. This research would definitely not have been possible, without the financial support of the ESE. Secondly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Wouter van den Berg, who has supported me, guided me and who has contributed intellectually. I would also like to thank Kashin Hau, who has made great contributions to the construction of the leadership questionnaire. Also, I would like to thank Sarstedt, who provided 500 saliva tubes. I am very thankful for the help of my parents. A great contribution has been made by my parents, Wim Westendorp...
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...Carmen Murillo English 201A Wiebe November 28, 2015 Are Serial Killers Created or Born? There are people out there who kill for the sake of pleasure. There aren't many are but they are out there. In our society we know them as serial killers. A serial killer by definition is a person who has killed more than three people at different times. There has been an ongoing debate about whether the serial killers are naturally born, murderous creatures, or if there has been certain circumstances throughout their lives which turn them to the monsters that the are. The mind of a serial killer all most never compares to another serial killer's mind, but one thing that they have in common is that they do not have a “normal” or “healthy” state of mind....
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...cynical laughter and rising from the wreckage, was not a terrorist, but a demonic manipulator who used terrorist’s acts to ignite the kindling of hatred all over the globe”. According to the author, Martha Stout, Ph.D., the sociopath is an individual who uses manipulation, demonic manipulation, to gain power over others with no conscience or guilt. They are mentally ill psychopaths; these individuals lack the ability to form emotional bonds with other people. They are reckless! Our society is based on relationships and bonding. We are social beings and this is true all the way back to our primate ancestors. Sociopaths are undetectable; they are next-door neighbors, teachers, employers, co-workers, and so on. They undistinguishable except for the common characteristics as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV of the American Psychiatric Association....
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