OH - Chanan Palmer, 31, & 4 kids killed in arson fire, Greenville, 16 Sept 2007

  • #21
I agree with completely. Environment does matter.
But by that same token, I do not believe I was born with *criminal or violent* tendencies, so regardless of my upbringing I don't think I could have been made into a homicidal maniac.
Just my theory of course. My dh may disagree.
 
  • #22
But by that same token, I do not believe I was born with *criminal or violent* tendencies, so regardless of my upbringing I don't think I could have been made into a homicidal maniac.
Just my theory of course. My dh may disagree.

LOL!

Yes, it's hard (obviously) to know if the reverse would be true. I too was not born with violent tendencies and it's hard to envision being made into a sociopath.

When it comes to a mental disorder such as this - is their an identified gene or marker that we know about?
 
  • #23
LOL!

Yes, it's hard (obviously) to know if the reverse would be true. I too was not born with violent tendencies and it's hard to envision being made into a sociopath.

When it comes to a mental disorder such as this - is their an identified gene or marker that we know about?
I'll do some research. I think it is mostly theory at this point.
 
  • #24
LOL!

Yes, it's hard (obviously) to know if the reverse would be true. I too was not born with violent tendencies and it's hard to envision being made into a sociopath.

When it comes to a mental disorder such as this - is their an identified gene or marker that we know about?
Their brain structure is different, the way it functions isn't the same as an average person's. They've proven this in scientific studies that are credible if I recall correctly. One of the links I posted speaks of brain scans.
 
  • #25
Their brain structure is different, the way it functions isn't the same as an average person's. They've proven this in scientific studies that are credible if I recall correctly. One of the links I posted speaks of brain scans.
There is definitely a physiological component to it. but there are countless variables that must be factored in. Otherwise we could just scan everyone and lock up the psychos lol.
 
  • #26
Their brain structure is different, the way it functions isn't the same as an average person's. They've proven this in scientific studies that are credible if I recall correctly. One of the links I posted speaks of brain scans.

It's interesting.

I've seen a few presentations and read some articles that say the same thing about a drug addict's brain. So, JBean, perhaps one way sociopaths can be created is from long term use/abuse of certain chemicals.
 
  • #27
Do you agree that gays are (usually) born, not made? What about bi-polar people? Surely you agree that there are mental illnesses that people are born with? ETA: Read here, and here. Here is what Katherine Ramsland has to say as well.


TOTAL apple not oranGE!
 
  • #28
It's interesting.

I've seen a few presentations and read some articles that say the same thing about a drug addict's brain. So, JBean, perhaps one way sociopaths can be created is from long term use/abuse of certain chemicals.
The researchers caution, however, that the deficits they discovered may not, in and of themselves, explain psychopathic behavior. They note that a number of brain regions are involved in inhibiting inappropriate behavior, and that a disruption in any part of this "behavior inhibition circuit" could cause the disinhibition, distractibility, and sensation-seeking behaviors characteristic of psychopaths.
http://www.crimetimes.org/95d/w95dp9.htm
 
  • #29
Their brain structure is different, the way it functions isn't the same as an average person's. They've proven this in scientific studies that are credible if I recall correctly. One of the links I posted speaks of brain scans.


Kat, the brain structure in kids with certain neurological disorders is different too, but it has been proven that early intervention and environment can make a difference in how their lives turn out.
 
  • #30
TOTAL apple not oranGE!

No, it isn't. True diagnosed psychopaths are like schizophrenics. They are mentally ill, and there is an organic component at the root of it.
 
  • #31
No, it isn't. True diagnosed psychopaths are like schizophrenics. They are mentally ill, and there is an organic component at the root of it.

KatK, I know you believe there is an organic component. I do too. What are your thoughts on the environmental aspects?
 
  • #32
KatK, I know you believe there is an organic component. I do too. What are your thoughts on the environmental aspects?

It can make a difference for some as to how bad the crimes are they commit. Some psychopaths NEVER go on to commit crimes, these are the psychopaths whose needs wouldn't be met via crime. They aren't pleasant to be around though. My thought is, that for some, some parents have managed to raise their psychopathic children to go on to "only" be unpleasant to others, or maybe to "only" commit white collar crime via concious effort to teach them via deterrant methods that it isn't in their best interests. *BUT* this isn't PROVEN to be effective with all psychopaths, and it isn't safe to state that it is. This is what the other scientists in the field studying this illness have to say, and I believe the fellow who worked on the studies agreed with them, the fellow who came forwards and said "Hey, some parents have taught their psychopathic offspring that it is in their best interests not to commit crimes!" conceded that it doesn't work with all psychopaths.
 
  • #33
One, antisocial personality disorder, sociopathy, and psychopathy, while on the same continuum, are three different things. Two, way too many arm chair psychologists who have absolutely zero training are too ready to label people based upon their reported extant behavior. Three, while all three of the above classifications appear to have a genetic component, the environment most certainly plays a role wrt outcome. The same goes for a number of other mental disorders as well. And finally, I find it patently sad that people are so ready to call these children psychopaths, sociopaths, monsters, etcetera, as opposed to trying to understand what is going on with these kids. Then again, I suppose it is much easier to sleep at night believing that we are locking up (or putting to death) "the problem" (ala the monsters), than to even remotely begin to consider contemplating what it is about our society that is making these so-called monsters in the first place. Which, imho, is ten shades of sad. Then again, there is that old idiom, we shall reap what we've sewn... and I do think, that we, as a society, are most certainly doing that.
 
  • #34
Warning I clicked one of katk links and my computer was invaded. I cannt even get it to work now. I am on my blackebrry. Do not click
 
  • #35
FWIW - as the mother of a psycopath, I agree with everything KatK has said. I absolutely believe they are born this way and so did my son's psychiatrist. Their tendencies can be made much worse if they have a rough upbringing, and psychopathy varies in degree just like all other mental illnesses and defects. There are some who can function on the fringe of society without ever getting into major trouble, while others become the most violent criminals imaginable. Most psychopaths never murder anyone. That's actually pretty rare.
 
  • #36
Warning I clicked one of katk links and my computer was invaded. I cannt even get it to work now. I am on my blackebrry. Do not click

That's terrible. Maybe a sociopath implanted it. Thanks for the warning.
 
  • #37
<snip>Then again, I suppose it is much easier to sleep at night believing that we are locking up (or putting to death) "the problem" (ala the monsters), than to even remotely begin to consider contemplating what it is about our society that is making these so-called monsters in the first place. Which, imho, is ten shades of sad. Then again, there is that old idiom, we shall reap what we've sewn... and I do think, that we, as a society, are most certainly doing that.
I didn't say he was a psychopath. I concede it is possible he is a psychopath, but I admit I don't know. But even if he isn't a psychopath, he knew the action he was taking was wrong, and he did it anyway. In fact, if he were a psychopath, my take would more be along the lines of "Keep him in the mental hospital, out of society so he cannot go on to do more harm." instead of "Let him suffer the punishment he has earned." Yes, what is reaped will be sown. This is true for everyone, everywhere including you.
 
  • #38
Warning I clicked one of katk links and my computer was invaded. I cannt even get it to work now. I am on my blackebrry. Do not click

:eek:???!!! I had no problems? :( Which link?!! Buh? :confused: One of them is to the Crime Library, for the record.
 
  • #39
:eek:???!!! I had no problems? :( Which link?!! Buh? :confused: One of them is to the Crime Library, for the record.
i don't know which one it was I was opening them all. I cannot get my computer to work right trying to run a virus scan but it won't respond properly. I hit the link and literally ONE HUNDRED windows opened up and they were not stopping. i'll be back when i can get my comp to work.
it was defintiely the link and maybe the right bug got through my protection. beware.
i can't type well on my baclkberry
 
  • #40
:eek:???!!! I had no problems? :( Which link?!! Buh? :confused: One of them is to the Crime Library, for the record.
That's the only link I didn't click on and I seem to be fine.
 

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