Are Criminals Mad or Bad?
There is a contentious issue in the field of criminology whether criminals are taught how to commit crime or whether they are have a mental dysfunction that makes them impulsive and aggressive. This is known by psychologists as the normal/pathological debate. In this debate this essay shall argue that the majority of serious crimes are committed by criminals who are psychopathological.
Psychopathology can be best described as having a personality disorder which is brought on early in childhood and is present long term in social and interpersonal dysfunction (Catchpole, Gretton & Hare, 2004). Persons with psychopathy are characterized with having grandiose, manipulative, forceful and cold-heartedness and display superficial and labile emotions (Catchpole, Gretton & Hare, 2004). They are incapable of forming relationships, principles, and goals and lack empathy, guilt, and remorse. They are also described by being sensation seekers, irresponsible and ready to violate social and legal norms (Catchpole, Gretton & Hare, 2004).Three main arguments are presented to show that criminals are indeed mad or pathological. First is that genetics generate the criminal to offend rather than learning those behaviour in the family setting. The second argument is that psychopathy can evolve from adolescents who show signs of having conduct disorder or attention deficit disorder. The last argument is that psychopathy and anti social behaviour is linked to abnormalities of the central nervous system.
The first argument is that criminals are pathological and their genetics is a major reason why they offend rather than learning criminal behaviour from their parents. In the 1970’s it was established that less than ten percent of persons committed more than 50 percent of all crimes. This provoked researchers to further investigate the origins of the career criminals (Moffin, 2005). The media has also drawn attention to families who have a majority of members who are criminals
Psychopathology can be best described as having a personality disorder which is brought on early in childhood and is present long term in social and interpersonal dysfunction (Catchpole, Gretton & Hare, 2004). Persons with psychopathy are characterized with having grandiose, manipulative, forceful and cold-heartedness and display superficial and labile emotions (Catchpole, Gretton & Hare, 2004). They are incapable of forming relationships, principles, and goals and lack empathy, guilt, and remorse. They are also described by being sensation seekers, irresponsible and ready to violate social and legal norms (Catchpole, Gretton & Hare, 2004).Three main arguments are presented to show that criminals are indeed mad or pathological. First is that genetics generate the criminal to offend rather than learning those behaviour in the family setting. The second argument is that psychopathy can evolve from adolescents who show signs of having conduct disorder or attention deficit disorder. The last argument is that psychopathy and anti social behaviour is linked to abnormalities of the central nervous system.
The first argument is that criminals are pathological and their genetics is a major reason why they offend rather than learning criminal behaviour from their parents. In the 1970’s it was established that less than ten percent of persons committed more than 50 percent of all crimes. This provoked researchers to further investigate the origins of the career criminals (Moffin, 2005). The media has also drawn attention to families who have a majority of members who are criminals
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