Ive found this theory to be useful in explaining things. I call it the fragmented memory theory.
https://psychopathyawareness.wordpr...t-forgotten-psychopaths-and-emotional-memory/ My understanding of it is that most of us have our cognitive recall pathways in the brain closely linked to emotional memory pathways. Thats why our strongest memories are of emotional events. With psycho/sociopaths their emotional experience is quite stunted; memories are organised differently and disconnected from emotion. It explains to me, the remorselessness and lack of conscience. For what is our sense of self but a complex layer of memories creating a coherent narrative of this is me, this is me in the world and this this is right or wrong according to my idea of myself in the world. A psycho/sociopath can still acknowledge right and wrong as ideas that are held by the society they live in but that are remote from themselves. It also explains the capacity for rage and violence. When their needs (sexual for example) arent met, the emotions come through unfiltered from a very primitive/primordial part of the brain Ive heard it referred to as the reptilian brain. It also explains, to me, how they are able to live with themselves. Firstly, there isnt as much self to live with and secondly their memory connection to the event is not as strong as itd be in you and me. This might explain the need for trinkets and keepsakes too I suppose. Anyway
Im an amateur psych only. But the subject makes for interesting reading.
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When I studied for a Masters in Criminology it involved the studying of these psychological models that I actually found/find to be very narrow and, to me pretty useless in helping me delve into the criminal psyche.
Perhaps it was cos I didn't come from a psych background!
I find them lacking in depth. They seem hellbent on separating out the 'criminals' from the 'normal people' and I don't find this sort of modelling useful.
Nonetheless I have a shelf of textbooks that have very weird titles (such as Men Who Rape).
Indeed one of my greatest teachers was an SK who told me that when (they) were being interviewed regarding their crimes (they) felt they "knew a lot about the topic" but that the felt they" had not committed such horrible acts".
This thinking fits in with "dissociative modelling - which I do find useful.
Nevertheless some psych concepts are pretty useful - such as dehumanisation - which I think is something just everyone odes - in varying degrees under varying conditions.
I haven't met many violent offending/sexual predators that I would consider were devoid of conscience or remorse. Most of them are very plaqued sorts - and many don't sleep too well at night. Indeed there is a high suicide rate for very violent offenders. I've puddled about in the minds of many of WA's serious offenders and this is the first time "I've come out".
Most public discussions make my eyes just glaze over!! BUT - people do need to be better able to recognise "dangerousness" and behavioural markers etc. I do get really frustrated reading what people say in - like FB forums - but don't "come out" for fear of not being heard over the average persons thick walls of prejudice and at getting rocks thrown at me! Particularly as it's highly likely that I know the perp's inner workings pretty well
And regarding the death penalty; CB said to me, "if they want to punish us - keep us alive in our inner hells. Being dead is easy and the misery is over".
Many serious offenders are seriously relieved to get caught. BE may also be - but I suspect he's got so much he holds together in the outside world that he'll be stressing bout all that!. HAHA - if I found out I'll let ya's know ;-)
