Research Paper On David Berkowitz

David Berkowitz was an American serial killer who was convicted of murdering six people in New York spanning from 1976-1977. David Berkowitz was originally named Richard David Falco, and he was born on June 1, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York. Shortly before his birth, his parents separated consequently leading to David being put up for adoption. At a young age Berkowitz was involved with rebellious habits including petty larceny as well as pyromania. Berkowitz was considered to have above-average intelligence, but he soon lost interest in school. One thing that I found was odd that despite all the misbehaviours, Berkowitz’s actions never cost him any legal consequences. At the age of 14, Berkowitz’s adoptive mother died due to breast cancer

Berkowitz told law enforcement that he was told to kill these people through his neighbors’ demon-possessed dog. Schizophrenia is a wide-ranging (and often misdiagnosed) mental illness, and lists symptoms ranging from hallucination and delusions to emotional flatness and catatonia. It is one of the most common mental disorders diagnosed among criminals, especially serial killers. One of the key factors of diagnosis was the thought that his neighbors dog was demon-possessed and that the dog was the one telling Berkowitz to go kill for him. According to Judy M. Versola-Russo Psy.D (2017) the manifestations of schizophrenia are varied, the majority of studies have demonstrated that the symptoms of schizophrenia typically form into three relatively independent complexes: (1) positive symptoms (i.e., hallucinations and delusions); (2) negative symptoms (i.e., blunted affect, anhedonia, poverty of speech, avolition, and diminished social drive); and (3) disorganized behavior, including bizarre behavior, and inappropriate affect. These symptoms are not concrete, and not all individuals will exhibit all or a majority of symptoms. Berkowitz, according to the information above, would be listed under positive symptoms because he experienced these delusions and hallucinations involving his Satanic neighbor and his possessed dog. As stated earlier, Berkowitz underwent numerous psychological evaluations, but he was ultimately declared “competent” to stand trial. On top of being diagnosed with schizophrenia, Berkowitz also shares symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. This mental disorder is characterized by a total disregard of the feelings of others. People with APD may lie, act out violently, or break the law and show no remorse. Berkowitz would often write letters to the police mocking them as well as poking fun of his brutal