I watched the movie
We Need To Talk About Kevin this afternoon, which led me to look the movie up on Google, which led me to the book (haven't read it, but ordered it), which led me to the psychology of the concept of "The Bad Seed". I found an article that I thought might be of interest to WSers. It kind of reminded me of what JA might have been when she was young. Here's a passage from the article:
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Psychologist Robert Hare is devoted to the study of psychopathy. His research may upset a lot of people because until the psychopath came into focus, it was possible to believe that bad people were just good people with bad parents or childhood trauma. But Hares research suggested that some people behaved badly even when there had been no early trauma nor bad parenting. Moreover, since psychopaths brains are in fundamental ways different from ours, talking them into being like us might not be easy. Indeed, to this day, no one has found a way to do so (more information at hare.org).
For to many people the very idea of psychopathy in childhood is inconceivable. [...] Many people feel uncomfortable applying the term psychopath to children. They cite ethical and practical problems with pinning what amounts to a pejorative label on a youngster. But clinical experience and empirical research clearly indicate that the raw materials of the disorder can and do exist in children. Psychopathy does not suddenly spring, unannounced, into existence into adulthood. [...]
Clinical and anecdotal evidence indicates that most parents of children later diagnosed as psychopaths were painfully aware that something was seriously wrong even before the child started school. Although all children begin their development unrestrained by social boundaries, certain children remain stubbornly immune to socializing pressures. They are inexplicably different from normal children more difficult, willful, aggressive, and deceitful; harder to relate to or get close to; less she puts on her sweet and contrite act
were generally tormented by her behavior. Shes truant, sexually active, and always trying to steal money from my purse. Robert Hare, Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us.
http://www.health-matrix.net/2010/07/18/good-parents-may-plant-bad-seeds/
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more good articles:
http://greenheritagenews.com/the-“bad-seed’’-diagnosis-and-the-casey-anthony-case/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...mon-think--spot-danger-signs-young-three.html
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/psychopath/1.html
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BBM The words "generally tormented by her behavior" seems what Travis' friends may have sensed in JA. I think, because, to me, Travis was sort of naive about JA and more emotionally involved than his friends, it took him more time to realize what JA really was- a psychopath. That was such a mistake for him. But, maybe, he was trying to help her?
I find the concept of The Bad Seed very compelling and so scary. I, kind of, feel sorry for JA's parents. It must be very hard to accept that your child might be/is a psychopath. Who would want to believe that in your own child and imagine all the guilt. Her parents should've gotten her help, tho'- I would have tried- even if it seems as if it wouldn't have helped anyway because they were born a "bad seed".
I'm going to look into more of the concept of the "bad seed". It's very interesting.
Has anyone read
We Need To Talk About Kevin ? Was it good? I thought the movie was very good. The movie
The Bad Seed was a great movie, also- with Pattie McCormick playing a stellar Rhoda.
