Psychopathy: Personality Disorder
explanatory Essay
2102 words
Psychopathy
“Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by an inability to form human attachment, aggressive narcissism, and antisocial behavior defined by a constellation of affective, interpersonal and behavioral characteristics, most of which society views as pejorative” [1]. Some of these characteristics include irresponsibility, grandiosity, cunning, deceitfulness, selective impulsivity, sexual promiscuity, lack of empathy, etc. People who are psychopathic display not only antisocial behavior but also emotional impairment such as the lack of guilt. They are able to prey on others using their charm, deceit, violence or any other methods that allow them to get what they want. A strong feature of most of the behavior exhibited by individuals with psychopathy is that it is mostly instrumental in nature. They are extremely goal-oriented with interests in acquiring wealth, sexual opportunities and increased status.
Psychopathy was first written about by psychiatrist Philippe Pinel in the early 19th century. He referred to it as “insanity without delirium” and described individuals suffering from this as being “morally neutral”. In 1941, Hervey Cleckley wrote a book 'The Mask of Sanity' which is today considered as the cornerstone of the study of psychopaths. He wrote that the psychopath is capable of “concealing behind a perfect mimicry of normal emotion, fine intelligence, and social responsibility, a grossly disabled and irresponsible personality.” This supports the theory that not only is talk therapy inadequate as a treatment, but on the contrary it has the potential to make the condition worse as it enables the individual to practice the art of manipulation. Today worldwide, we use a checklist c...
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...study of criminal behavior. Research has shown that psychopathy is a powerful predictor of violent recidivism and dangerousness. Understanding the minds of psychopaths and their personality and behavioral traits allows authorities to design strategies that more likely will work with them. Psychopathy has been described as “the single most important clinical construct in the criminal justice system.” And even more recently, it is considered “the most important forensic concept of the early 21st century.”
Despite the absence of a cure, there are still many new theories being developed on how to better identify and manage the problem.
REFERENCES
[1] Jacqueline B. Helfgot: Criminal Behavior: Theories, Typologies and Criminal Justice
[2] DeLisi and Vaughn (2008)
[3] Williamson S, Hare RD, Wong S: Violence - Criminal Psychopaths and Their Victims (1987)
In this essay, the author
- Describes psychopathy as a personality disorder characterized by an inability to form human attachment, aggressive narcissism, and antisocial behavior, which society views as pejorative.
- Explains that psychopathy was first written about by psychiatrist philippe pinel in the early 19th century. hervey cleckley wrote 'the mask of sanity' which is considered as the cornerstone of the study of psychopaths.
- Explains that the amygdala is involved in aversive conditioning and instrumental learning and is responsible for all the processes that, when impaired, produce the same functional impairments displayed by psychopaths.
- Explains that the amygdala and ofc are implicated in psychopathic pathology. dr. craig and his colleagues studied the connectivity between the two brain regions involved in psychopathy.
- Explains that the term psychopath is synonymous with terms like serial killer and rapist, but the characteristics that define it do not necessarily imply or involve criminal behavior.
- Explains that a psychopathic personality is prone to criminal behavior because of their underdeveloped super-ego, which removes them from empathy and remorse.
- Explains that psychopaths are goal-oriented and driven by self gain. they are more proactive, predatory, and purposeful, with a desired external goal being the driving force.
- Explains that psychopathy has a complex relationship with sexual offense where despite its association with various types, its relationship to overall sexual offending has been found to be weak.
- Distinguishes between primary and secondary psychopathy. primary psychopaths engage in antisocial behavior as a result of genetic or biological predispositions that occur during infancy.
- Explains that secondary psychopaths pass through the developmental stages needed to form human attachments and show more anxiety, empathy, and guilt than their primary counterparts. their antisocial behavior cannot be narrowed down to one psychological phenomenon.
- Analyzes how cleckley preempted the current research into the multiple factors of psychopathy and noted that not all psychopaths exhibit antisocial behavior.
- Explains that a number of professionals who are ceos, doctors, lawyers, politicians exhibit similar scores to psychopaths on scales of histrionic, narcissistic, and compulsive personality disorder.
- Explains lykken's theory that psychopaths are merely individuals with low fear quotients who can perceive most other emotions but not fear.
- Explains that psychopathy is relevant to law enforcement, corrections, courts, and others working in related fields. psychopaths make conscious decisions to commit crimes, yet their choices may have been predetermined in early infancy.
- Explains that psychopathy is a powerful predictor of violent recidivism and dangerousness. understanding psychopaths and their personality and behavioral traits allows authorities to design strategies that more likely will work with them.
Related
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- Research on Psychopathy: A Personal Disordercomparative essayPsychopathy is an extremely complex subcategory of a specific personality disorder. This disorder has been researched since approximately the 18th century. Modern technology in science can detect psychopathy by examining the human brain using different techniques. This technology can and should be used to prevent violence in the world today.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that psychopathy is an extremely complex subcategory of a specific personality disorder, which has been researched since approximately the 18th century. modern technology can detect it by examining the human brain using different techniques.
- Explains that lombroso's theory of the "criminal mind" has been discounted, but the case of phineas gage in 1848 was the first evidence that prefrontal cortex damage in the brain can change different aspects of personality traits.
- Compares the somatic marker hypothesis of damasio and the violence inhibition mechanism of blair.
- Explains that psychopathy is a subtype of an additional personality disorder known as aspd.
- Explains that psychopathy is characterized by the excessive lack of grey matter in the anterior rostral prefrontal cortex and temporal poles of the brain.
- Explains that psychopaths act in cold blood because of the lack of empathy and are considerate to what they want and/or need. this brain disorder is common among drug dealers, spouse and child abusers, gang members, and cult leaders.
- Explains that raine and colleagues (2004) have studied two different kinds of psychopaths: the unsuccessful and the successful. the hippocampus in the brain is essential for long term memory.
- Explains that psychopaths tend to commit violent crimes at an earlier age. once released from jail, their probability of committing more criminal activities is high. jack abbott stabbed an innocent man to death.
- Explains that sociopaths are hereditary and passed down from genes, whereas a psychopath is more of an affect of environmental situations.
- Explains that damage to the frontal cortex is associated with aggressive behavior since the case of phineas gage.
- Explains that the hare psychopathy checklist (pcl) and the psychopathy checklist-revised are considered the "gold standard" for measuring psychopathic behavior.
- Explains the procedures approved by new jersey department of corrections, the new york university institutional review board (irb) and nyu special committee on prison research.
- Explains that mri is the most affective procedure in determining whether a person suffers from psychopathy, but there are other studies and procedures to decipher this.
- Explains that slapping the patient's hands to localize brain regions involving pain was used to determine whether or not an individual suffers from psychopathy.
- Recommends that psychopathic tests be done every day to lower the risk of violent crimes such as murder and rape. those who have careers in the fbi, the police department, or any medical field positions should be tested using the pcl-sv.
2850 wordsRead More - The Multiplexity Of Psychopathyexplanatory essayAt the forefront of absurdity is the question of mentality. For many years, scientists have studied the minds of psychopaths, examining the various aspects of psychopathy. They have conducted and analyzed research of the numerous bodily and mental processes, most of which relate to one another in seemingly complex ways. The multiplexity of psychopathy is so immense that, for the sake of this paper, it will analyze four of its most prominent factors – childhood-environmental, neurological, physiological, and psychological – and attempt to show the interlockings of these groups in the creation of a psychopath.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mentality is at the forefront of absurdity. scientists have studied the minds of psychopaths, examining the numerous bodily and mental processes, most of which relate to one another in seemingly complex ways.
- Explains that psychopathy is one of the most dangerous disorders a human can acquire, both for themselves and the sake of others.
- Explains that children with psychopathic and antisocial-like tendencies display callous-unemotional behaviors throughout childhood and adolescence.
- Explains that when children are ineffectively raised and suffer maltreatment, their risk of acquiring psychopathy significantly increases. punishment that is too harsh or punished for reason not related to behavior increases a child's callous-unemotional traits.
- Explains that children from unstable homes develop unhealthy behaviors that affect their ability to form and maintain relationships with others.
- Explains that attachment to an abusive parent or caregiver contributes to the narcissistic personality of psychopaths. childhood abuse and neglect can have significant impacts on a child and make them more susceptible to developing psychopathy.
- Explains that damage to the ventromedial region of the prefrontal cortex before 16 months has been shown to significantly increase a person’s chance of developing psychopathic tendencies.
- Explains that psychopaths have an under-reactive autonomic nervous system, which coincides with theories that emphasize insensitivity to punishment or reduced capacity for fear in psychopathy.
- Opines that the most important approach to psychopathy is the psychological one. many things, psychologically, are learned in early life and can have grave impacts on a child when they become adults.
705 wordsRead More - Rearing in Sociopathic Tendenciesanalytical essaySociopathy is defined as the tendencies of a person who is a sociopath. Sociopaths are infamous for their “inordinate” amounts of crime. They cannot fathom cold, often have an absence of empathy, and usually respond differently as a result of a lack of “love, shame, guilt, empathy, and remorse” (Mealey 134). Sociopaths are irresponsible, impulsive, and egocentric. Although sociopaths make up only a relatively small portion of the whole population, there is a correlation between criminal behavior and sociopathic tendencies. A recent study concluded that although ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains how psychology experts began studying bundy's behavior and the causes of his sociopathic tendencies after his execution.
- Explains that sociopaths are irresponsible, impulsive, and egocentric. they are infamous for their "inordinate" amounts of crime.
- Explains that most psychology experts agree that sociopathic tendencies are a result of nurture. christopher patrick believes that fatherless rearing is the major cause of crime.
- Analyzes how socialization reflects how a child conforms to the norms of humanity. heritable traits are not reasonable in explaining sociopathy.
- Argues that sociopathic tendencies are largely caused by how a child is reared, or nurtured. patrick agrees that people with heritable traits can socialize, not become sociopaths, given the right rearing environment.
- Citesdohrenwend, bruce, and mealey, linda. "sociobiology of sociopathy: an integrated evolutionary model."
989 wordsRead More - The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Usanalytical essayDr. Robert D. Hare’s Without a Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us (1993), was intriguing yet frightening to read from the beginning. The purpose of the book was evident by the title; it conveyed insightful information to the reader about the characteristics of psychopathic individuals who walk among us. Hare (1993) also provided the reader with insight on how to detect individuals whom may have malicious intent with prospective individuals, what type of individuals are more than likely to be victimized, and brought forth interesting theories that support the notion that psychopathic individuals are mentally disturbed. Throughout the forthcoming paragraphs, an aim to describe in greater detail the ideas brought forth by the author will be discussed.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hare's book, without a conscience: the disturbing world of the psychopaths among us, conveyed insightful information about the characteristics of psychopathic individuals who walk among us.
- Analyzes hare's questions about psychopaths and the mentally ill, including whether psychopathy is a biological predisposition, or is it acquired.
- Explains that psychopathic individuals are divided into emotional and behavioral qualities. emotional traits include portraying oneself in a charming and likable manner, egocentricity, lack of guilt and empathy, deceit and manipulation, and shallow emotions.
- Opines that not all individuals who are likable and charming or who have to a varying degree any of the additional symptoms, should be classified as psychopaths. hare gathered the emotional and behavioral traits previously discussed and integrated them to create the psychopathy checklist.
- Analyzes hare's distinction between psychopathy and mental illness and concludes the terms should not be used synonymously.
- Explains hare's misconception of using the terms psychopath and sociopath interchangeably. they conclude that there are many factors contributing to the development of psychopathy.
- Explains that society's rules and regulations are placed to keep order among individuals. according to hare, abiding to the rules that are deemed socially acceptable creates an "inner policemen".
- Concludes that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, which contributes to the development of psychopathic tendencies.
916 wordsRead More - Without Consicence: The Disturbing World Of The Psychopaths Among Us Robert D Hare is respected by his colleagues worldwide as an expert on psychopathy. He gained much of his insights as a Psychologist employed with CSC (Correctional Service of Canada) starting in the early 60's. At the present time he is a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. He and his students have interviewed hundreds of psychopathic offenders.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that a solidly researched book will vindicate you as not being "paranoid" or "judgmental"
- Analyzes how dr. hare believes that only a tiny minority are in prisons, and that being "respectable" makes them infinitely more dangerous to society.
- Analyzes how dr. hare methodically destroys other stereotypes that come to mind when we hear the word "psychopath."
- Explains that robert d hare is an expert on psychopathy and has interviewed hundreds of psychopathic offenders. it's a genuine self-help book.
- Analyzes the characteristics of the psychopaths in robert hare's book, including self aggrandizement, craftiness at appearing good, exercising no capacity to feel for others, lying with charm and a straight face.
1094 wordsRead More - Without Conscience: Book Reportopinionated essayIdentifying the mystery of the psychopath can prove to help the them and the general public. Early awareness of the common psychopaths among us will reduce the impact on society. Further research is still needed to better help the psychopath and the general population.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that psychopaths need to be aware of the common ones that do not kill but steal, manipulate, and use people with no remorse.
- Explains that dr. hares wrote the book because of the increase number of psychopaths effecting the general population as white-collar criminals.
- Opines that identifying the mystery of the psychopath can prove to help them and the general public.
- Evaluates dr. robert hare's non-fiction book, "without conscience: the disturbing world of the psychopaths among us".
- Explains how dr. hare developed the psychopathy checklist for people to diagnose psychopathy.
1626 wordsRead More - Psychopathy Effects Military Sexual Assaultexplanatory essayPsychopathy is defined as personality disorder, characterized by enduring anti-social behavior, and less capacity for empathy and have poor behavioral control (Benning, 2005). The term is originated to describe diverse range of dysfunctional or antisocial behavior and mental and sexual deviances. Psychopaths are usually aggressive and are incapable of having empathetic behavior (Fileds, 1996). Psychopaths are usually responsible for crime and violence and are expected to adopt more rebellion behavior after serving their sentences. According to researchers in the past, psychopaths are difficult to change as they have been genetically determined. It is very difficult to suggest treatment for psychopaths, as they have been born with these traits and incapable to overcome the disorder. The wide array of educational field evolved in the history of mankind has helped them to live a contended and better life. In the field of human psychology there were made remarkable efforts to address the mental issues of people going through different stages o...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that psychopathy has an impact or an effect on military sexual assault. the study eligibility criteria are the characteristics of military sex offenders and psychopaths.
- Explains that psychopathy is characterized by enduring anti-social behavior, less capacity for empathy, and poor behavioral control. psychopaths are aggressive and incapable of empathetic behavior.
- Describes schema therapy, a form of psychotherapy developed to treat the patient of personality disorder and those who show high resistance.
- Explains that the international classification of diseases is one of the most long-standing diagnostic classifications of mental and physical disorders. patent adopts insensitive behavior and avoids people.
- Explains that anti-social personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of the rights of others occurring since 15 years of age. these patients adopt abnormal behavior and are willing to involve in physical assault.
- Explains the treatment of patients with psychopathic disorder can take place in a variety of in-patient settings, including special hospitals, regional secure units, intensive psychiatric care units, and conventional hospitals. physical treatment includes behavior therapy and cognitive therapy, individual or group therapy.
- Explains that behavior therapy is recommended to encounter maladaptive behavior of patients. it is associated with the interaction of environment, rather than disturbances in mental processes.
- Explains that this therapy is designed to face the challenge of renewing the thought process of the clients who possess with ruthless, hardheaded ideas against self-defeating traits and performances.
- Explains the concept of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is based on the assumption that psychological disorder involves dysfunctional thinking.
- Explains that the process of therapy is educational and cannot be fully executed in a closed environment of office. home-based assignments enable the client to differentiate and confront the irrational thought with that of rational thinking and find alternatives to develop positive approach toward problem solving.
- Describes the therapeutic process, which is based on how client change rather than diagnosing and treating the problem.
- Explains that adler uses the technique to assess projective memories of the client whether based on true incident is fictional. this will help in getting information regarding clients' goals, feelings, inferiority complexes, level for appreciation, feeling for community and style of life.
- Explains that socratic questioning is applied in the middle stages of therapy. the technique is to underpin the private logic, hidden feelings, and unconscious goals of the client.
- Explains that guided imagery can be used therapeutically to change the undesirable traces of childhood family members that entails to enduring feelings of guilt, fear, and resentment.
- Opines that psychopathy has no impact/effect on military sexual assault. the us military is considered one of the true examples of racial integration in american society.
- Analyzes how the tough and regimented routine influences the mental wellbeing of soldiers. the strict routine makes them feel lonely and deprived from their basic need, and the sexual frustration is directly linked with the time spent away from home.
- Explains that the u.s military is one of the exemplary institutions of equality, yet there are some issues that came in limelight in recent years.
- Describes schema therapy, a form of psychotherapy developed to treat the patient of personality disorder and those patient who show high resistance.
- Explains that patients are guided to communicate their emotions and the motive is accomplished through language of ‘schema modes’. schema mode refers to emotional state where patient is generally intimidating, aggressive or manipulative
- Explains that the process of therapy is educational and can't be fully executed in a closed environment of office, so the client is given home-based assignments for positive distraction.
- Concludes that psychopaths have a strong impact on military sexual assault. psychotherapy is the most effective way of counseling these individuals.
- Cites baaz, stern, and beck, j. s. (2011). cognitive behavior therapy: basics and beyond.
- Explains blair, j., blair k. and mitchell, d. (2005). the psychopath.
2368 wordsRead More - Predatory Violence: A Modest Proposalexplanatory essayPsychopaths are different than their common criminal counterparts because they live a parasitic lifestyle, are often charming, apathetic, and may have average to above average intelligence. Psychopaths, or predators, usually impress others as friendly, outgoing, likeable, and alert. They appear to be well educated and knowledgeable. Predators can be verbally skillful and can talk themselves out of trouble. Psychopaths exhibit arrogance and are selfish, self-centered, and self-motivated to secure their own self-interests (DeLisi, 2009). Psychopaths, like life-course persistent offenders, start offending at a young age as persistent and versatile
In this essay, the author
- Explains that predatory violence is different from general offending because it is planned, not impulsive, and the predator usually feels a sense of accomplishment.
- Opines that predatory/serial offending resembles a psychopath. these traits include difficulties in processing fear and sadness of others, insensitivity to punishment, grandiosity, narcissism, superficial charm, lying and manipulation,
- Explains that general offending is characterized by impulsivity, inability to delay gratification, low self-control, lack of forethought, below average iq, opportunistic, and emotional hyperactivity.
- Explains that predators are biologically different and can be dangerous compared to the common criminal. predatory violence is planned and purposeful with variable goals, primarily cognitive.
- Explains that predators are psychopaths who take time to plan. predatory violence involves targeting strategies and a specific type of victim.
- Explains that psychopaths are different from their common criminal counterparts because they live a parasitic lifestyle, are charming, and may have average to above average intelligence.
- Explains that predatory violence differs from other forms of violence because it is the intention to do harm to another, or a willingness to actively seek out and injure another person.
447 wordsRead More - Personality Disorder And Antisocial Personality Disorderexplanatory essayHistory Two Greek words: ‘psyche’ (soul or mind) and ‘pathy’ (suffering or disease), were combined in the 19th century by German Psychiatrists, to form a word that would describe the most dangerous and violent of all humans. Psychopathy, today, is called ‘mental disorder’, the study of which is still known as psychopathology. Other relating terms like 'constitutional (inborn) psychopaths' or 'psychopathic personalities' were used through the early 20th century to cover anyone socially undesirable in any way or those who violated legal laws and moral expectations. By 1929/30 an American psychologist coined the term sociopathy which meant ‘a pervasive failure to adhere to societal norms which could lead to the harm of others’.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that under the antisocial personality disorders (aspd), sociopathy and psychopathy were listed by the american psychiatric association in 2013.
- Explains that antisocial personality disorder is a dsm-5 diagnosis assigned to individuals who violate the rights of others without any sign of guilt or remorse.
- Distinguishes sociopath from psychopath in its origin. sociopathy is rooted in environmental causes, while psychopathy is genetically based.
- Explains the disregard for and violation of others rights since age 15, as indicated by one of the seven sub features.
- Explains that failure to follow the laws and norms by associating in behavior which can result in criminal arrest.
- Explains that the antisocial behavior is not due to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
- Defines sociopath as an individual who has no conscience and is antisocial. the word'sociopath' touches people on an intellectual and emotional level, often evoking dark feelings and making people shudder.
- Explains that a psychopath doesn't feel moral qualms, even if he lies to steal your money. he may observe others and act like they do.
- Explains that sociopaths have a conscience, but it's weak. he may know that taking your money is wrong, and he might feel guilt or remorse but that won't stop his behavior.
- Explains that psychopaths are intelligent, appealing, and good at copying emotions seen from others. they pretend to care and may even act like they are there for you.
- Explains that psychopathy, today, is called ‘mental disorder’, the study of which is still known as psychopathology.
- Explains that psychopaths are social predators who allure, manipulate and brutally plow their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, crushed expectations, and drained wallets. they selfishly take what they want, violating social laws and expectations without the least sense of remorse or regret.
- Explains that ted bundy, a handsome man with an attractive personality, was an important topic of discussion in this field.
- Explains that sherlock holmes is the most well-known, beloved and obvious high-functioning sociopath from fiction. he is prone to anger when people cannot keep up with his fast-paced brain, is never able to make his relationships work, and does not seem to care for social regard.
- Explains that sociopaths are socially awkward and don't care about others. the term "psychopath" was first used in 1900 to describe patients with moral depravity or moral insanity.
1722 wordsRead More - Childhood Psychopathyanalytical essayIntroduction A child or an adolescent being diagnosed with psychopathy is a controversial concept and yet there are a number of studies that purport to assess psychopathic traits within these groups. This has stemmed from evidence that key symptoms of psychopathy (at least when looking into the histories of adult psychopathic patients) have been indicative of an early onset with symptoms beginning in childhood or early adolescence. (Johnstone & Cooke, 2004). Psychopathy, at least in adults, is a viable construct and is often indicative of criminality, violence, substance abuse and results in decidedly poorer responsivity to treatment and as such highlights the importance of recognizing these early symptoms and planning intervention and treatment strategies.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the dsm-iv-tr states that a person must be at least 18 years old to be diagnosed as psychopath, so it is appropriate to use "psychopathic-like traits" when referring to these populations.
- Explains that there are a number of indicators of psychopathy visible in children, such as hare, caspi, farrington, and moffit.
- Explains that the antisocial process screening device (apsd) and the childhood psychopathy scale (cps) are the most researched instruments for measuring psychopathy in the field.
- Evaluates the validity of the cu scale, stating that only one study has shown acceptable test-retest reliability of teacher ratings.
- Explains that the most recent version of the childhood psychopathy scale (cps) does not contain a scale assessing explicit antisocial behaviour but rather boredom susceptibility.
- Explains that there is relatively little literature on the treatment or intervention measures for children who present with psychopathic traits.
- Explains that caldwell et al's study looked into the treatment response of two groups of adolescents receiving traditional treatment in a juvenile correction institute and an intensive treatment program in the mendota juvenile treatment center.
- Argues that the development of psychopathy in children and adolescents is concerned about how appropriate it can be at a developmental level.
- Opines that more research is needed to look into psychopathic traits in children and adolescents as they are indicative of severe conduct problems later in life.
- Analyzes the research on psychopathy and psychopathic traits in children and adolescents, highlighting the need for early intervention and treatment strategies.
- Cites caldwell, skeem, salekin, & van rybroek, g (2006). treatment response of adolescent offenders with psychopathy: a 2-year follow-up.
2323 wordsRead More