Along the way I discovered in my
research, Nature and Nurture both play a role in the making of a psychopath. I have also explained that people can be born
with psychopathic traits but their behavior never turns violent. Psychopaths show themselves in all races,
ethnic cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds and ages. Although it affects both men and women, you
will see men clearly outnumber women in psychopathic criminal behavior. I really have to wonder why it affects men
more than women. Does that have to do
with Nature and Nurture? The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin on Psychopathy
states, “they exist in all lines of work, from executive to blue-collar
professions. Some are intelligent, while
others possess average or below-average intelligence” (5).
When I read the staggering
numbers that pertained to criminal psychopaths, I was shocked. According to “The Criminal Psychopath:
History, Neuroscience, Treatment and Economics,” less than 1% of all males 18
and over not in prison are psychopaths.
Today in the United States that would amount to approximately 1,150,000
adult males matching the criteria for psychopathy. Taking it a step further, there are about
6,720,000 males incarcerated, on parole or probation of which 16% or 1,075,000
are diagnosed psychopaths. When all is
said and done, it turns out approximately 93% of adult males in the US are in
jail, prison or are being monitored already. (1-2)
As quoted in the FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin, “Psychopathy is the most dangerous of the personality disorders” (3).
Psychopaths’ crimes are different then the majority of criminals in that their
crimes are predatory in nature. Crime scenes are different, police
interrogations are different; their behaviors after they commit the crimes
differ, even down to the language they use during questioning. “Psychopaths
see others as either competitive predators or prey” (4). When talking about the crimes they commit,
they are well planned and thought out.
They are driven by a purpose, they didn’t just get caught up in emotions
and lose control. Psychopaths know right
from wrong, they commit crimes because they think they don’t have to follow
society’s rules.
There seems to be some
misunderstanding whether psychopathy is treatable or not. At this point,
medical professionals have not found a cure. I have to wonder if it depends on the level
and depths that an individual is affected by it. Adult psychopathy didn’t just happen to an
adult, it started as a child and manifested itself. We as society need to pick
up on the sign at an early age so intervention can happen before it’s too late.
Works
Cited
Kiehl, K. A., & Hoffman, M.
B. (2011). THE CRIMINAL PSYCHOPATH: HISTORY, NEUROSCIENCE, TREATMENT, AND ECONOMICS.
Jurimetrics, 51, 355–397
U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin on Psychopathy July
2012 Print.
Wow! I am surprised that there could be that many psychopaths and not even know it. I find it very interesting that just anybody can be a psychopath. It makes me think of why they are like that and wish we could distinguish them in order to protect society and help them in such way. How did they find the information on how many there are? I know it must be an estimate but I think anybody can turn into one, I don't necessarily think that they are born that way. I believe it has to do with the way they grew up and were raised. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you find interesting about the response? How psychopaths are unmoved by the harm they do, they are disconnected. What would you add to this post? How society actually rewards functioning psychopaths. In business they are the bosses that make the hard decisions, willing to do what they need to get the job done, a “cool customer.” Yet they are actually psychopaths and really horrible people. What do you agree OR disagree with and why? I agree on how psychopaths present themselves and that progress in medicine could provide a treatment in the future, just not now.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link about bosses
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201509/20-signs-your-boss-may-be-psychopath
What did you find interesting about this post? IT is crazy to me that guys have more psychopathic stories than girls, I wonder why that is? I agree that nurture can be a big reason for why people can turn out to be psychopaths. Depending on how a person grew up can be a big factor in what they think is right and wrong.
ReplyDeletewow that is so interesting that more men are more prone to be psychopaths than men. i would like to find out more information on why that is! i also couldnt believe that we have that there are millions on people in and out of prison meeting the criteria of being a psychopath.
ReplyDeleteIt's so crazy how when you look at 1% you really don't think it's that much, but the number of individuals is actually 1,150,000! That's insane!
ReplyDeleteI never had any idea that men were more likely to be psychopaths than women. Also, 93% of men either in prison, previously in prison, or being monitored already? Wow! Your post is full of shocking statistics that really get you thinking. I really liked your post because it gave me tons of new information, as well as tons of questions! I wonder if in the future they'll be able to come up with a successful cure.
It's so crazy how when you look at 1% you really don't think it's that much, but the number of individuals is actually 1,150,000! That's insane!
ReplyDeleteI never had any idea that men were more likely to be psychopaths than women. Also, 93% of men either in prison, previously in prison, or being monitored already? Wow! Your post is full of shocking statistics that really get you thinking. I really liked your post because it gave me tons of new information, as well as tons of questions! I wonder if in the future they'll be able to come up with a successful cure.
I am blown away at the numbers you have shared in this blog. The information you provided is so shocking that I had to read it a couple times in order to digest it. I must say that this has been by far one of my favorite topics to read about. I would have to say that now I am going to be second glancing at people and their behavior wondering if they have crossed the threshold of psychopathy. One of the most interesting parts of this blog was that psychopaths even use a different language when being questioned and also that psychopaths see others as competitors or prey. It gives me chills and really gets my wheels spinning.
ReplyDeleteI am blown away at the numbers you have shared in this blog. The information you provided is so shocking that I had to read it a couple times in order to digest it. I must say that this has been by far one of my favorite topics to read about. I would have to say that now I am going to be second glancing at people and their behavior wondering if they have crossed the threshold of psychopathy. One of the most interesting parts of this blog was that psychopaths even use a different language when being questioned and also that psychopaths see others as competitors or prey. It gives me chills and really gets my wheels spinning.
ReplyDelete