Social Lens

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Pages: 6

Social Lens: The Behaviors of a Psychopath When examining to what extent a psychopath should be held accountable for their crimes, it is important to consider his or her social behavior and morals. As children, psychopaths may seem like mischievous thrill seekers, but in reality it goes much deeper than that. What looks like mischief is really the enjoyment of strife, but it isn’t the child’s fault, just simply the way they were born. While some of these children will grow up to become fully functioning members of society, others will become full fledged violent psychopaths (Reuters). As adults, psychopathy can wear a mask of normalcy. Robert Hare, a long time psychology professor and researcher states that the individual will often be charming, …show more content…
Their emotions are shallow, lacking in guilt and empathy. Psychopaths see no wrong in their actions, and if a violent crime is committed, there is no remorse, leading to the controversial dilemma that occurs when deciding consequences. If one knows what to look for, the signs of psychopathy are prevalent in childhood. A child who may be a budding psychopath can oftentimes be distinguished from their peers. They are thrill seekers and appear to be scared of nothing. Their temper tantrums and reactions to situations are aggressive, and they exhibit “callous disregard” for others when retaliating and in day to day life (Reuters). An example of a growing psychopath is a boy named Rav in a book written by neurobiologist Dean Haycock. Rav came from a healthy family that showed no signs of abuse, with socially regular siblings. He was spiteful and threatening to other kids (including his own brothers and sisters), warning them he was going to strangle them, and was expelled from school for being a “bad influence”. He gained satisfaction from taking peoples’ money, and placing the blame …show more content…
Scott Bonn, a professor of criminology and sociology claims that sociopaths most often are nervous and easily agitated. They have emotional outbursts that typically present themselves in the form of rage, and they are unable to maintain a steady role in society. (Grohol). Developing a relationship, although difficult, is somewhat possible for a sociopath, however; it is more of a personal attachment than a mutual relationship. Sociopathic crimes are more spontaneous than a psychopath’s, and “will tend to be haphazard and disorganized” (Bonn). Psychopaths are notorious for meticulously planning out specific crimes, leaving few clues in their wake. They are completely unable to form emotional attachments, and any attachments made are fueled by their fake emotions. They are intelligent, and typically can maintain an everyday role in regular society even going as far as settling down (although for superficial reasons). Sociopaths are believed to be made and not born, making them easier to psychologically help. Psychopaths are born the way they are, and when it comes to committing crimes, they are more sinister. Chris Weller writes, “Psychopaths cross the line. Sociopaths...remove themselves from society, while a psychopath is busy in his basement rigging shackles to his furnace.” The psychopath will