Criminal Psychology AND THEORIES OF .pptx

What makes a person CRIMINAL?

1. Psycho-Analysing Crime & C riminal Mind by Dr Archana Advocate

2. Why do we need Rules? Because they maintain Order in society and Provide security Preventing chaos / disorders Preventing uncertainty Protect liberties etc T o ensure equality & justice in society

3. Breaking Rules and Mental Disorders Criminals & people with mental disorders can violate societal rules. Some criminals can offer reasons for their actions, but those with mental disorders CANNOT. Such rule-breaking poses a significant challenge to society . Eg: I f a person experiences emotional abuse from a spouse with NPD, they may be viewed as a victim of the disorder rather than labeling the spouse as a criminal.

4. Deviance Vs Crime: Is rule-breaking limited only to those with mental health issues?   Deviance refers to behavior that goes against societal norms [ expected behavior ] while crime involves actions that violate legal codes Crime is when someone breaks a law, eg: stealing or murder. Deviance is when someone acts differently from what is considered normal in society, like wearing crazy clothes 

5. Crime?? Fundamental principle in criminal law To prove someone committed a crime, two things are usually needed: 1) the guilty act (ACTUS REUS) and 2) the guilty mind (MENS REA). To prove if someone committed a crime, their intention and mental state are important. Understanding rules and having the ability to follow laws are necessary for legal systems to work properly in any country.

6. Criminal actions and mental disorders Historical links between mental ‘illness’ and criminality Media representations - those who commit brutal and apparently senseless crimes mentally disordered Opinion surveys – people link mental illness especially schizophrenia – with violence and dangerousness

7. Disease Vs Disorder Think of a disease as a puzzle with clear pieces that show us what's wrong, like how a cold makes you sneeze. A disorder is like a mystery where many things are mixed up. It's a complex condition, not just because of just one reason.

8. Disease Vs Disorder Mental illness - Defined by Kraepelin in 1883 Genetically determined Separate naturally occurring categories Fixed-Implies unable to intervene to improve Cannot be held responsible for behavior Mental disorder

9. Disease Vs Disorder Implies condition can fluctuate in severity May be amenable to improvement through interventions Could take responsibility for behavior

10. The mentally disordered General Assumptions They are unpredictable Cannot control own actions Do not conform to societal rules Therefore a threat Thus they are dangerous Those who commit abnormal crimes must be mentally disordered

11. Mental disorder and crime Criminals and mentally disordered often come from backgrounds Characterised by poverty and social exclusion ( Pilgrim, 2010) & Often return to similar environments Researchers Also say Mentally ill more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators

12. Definition of mental disorder? It's tough to define the boundaries of mental disorder associated with criminal acts Some definitions include major clinical disorders like schizophrenia , while others also consider personality disorders like antisocial personality disorder . Unlike physical illnesses, mental disorders are subjectively assessed, and their causes are not always easy to identify. The perception of mental disorders can vary over time and across different cultures. For example, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder until 1973.

13. . Can you guess who he is? persecuted for the 'crime' of his homosexuality, which ultimately led to his suicide in 1954.

14. Mental disorders Broad range of behaviours ranging in severity ‘Unusual’ behaviour which appears to have no logical explanation may be a symptom But the person may not necessarily be dangerous or a threat to others Some mental disorders acute and transitory Some chronic and life long Although each person may be affected differently Enough similarities to form classification systems People often have more than one disorder

15. Psychotic category :Schizophrenia Disorder most associated with abnormal behaviour Extremely complex disorder Begins early in life Often leads to social/economic impairment Cognitive functioning becomes disorganised – failure to correspond to reality Behavioural manifestations varied but some common characteristics 5 characteristics 2 or more need to be present for 6 months for diagnosis Delusions Hallucinations Disorganised speech Grossly disorganised behaviour Inappropriate affect Also social interaction, self care and occupational life must show signs of being adversely affected

16. EXTRA Reference - 6 Subtypes of Schizophrenia Disorganised type Inappropriate affect – flat or over emotional ‘Strange’ mannerisms Complaints non existent illnesses Extreme social withdrawal Catatonic type Severe muscular disturbances Periods mutism Senseless repetition of words spoken by others Prominent grimacing Assumption of bizarre postures for long periods Followed by period of active agitated state of screaming throwing things Paranoid type Characterised by delusions and paranoia Undifferentiated type Symptoms which cannot be classified as above Display active psychotic features – hallucinations delusions incoherent speech and disorganised behaviour but do not meet specifications of other types Residual type Have had at least one episode evidence some of symptoms continuing but not all

17. Link with criminal behaviour Schizophrenia suggested to be connected with violence ( Blackburn, 1993) Paranoid types most frequently represented in criminal behaviour However more extreme violence of schizophrenics directed at family members Often harm selves

18. Link with criminal behaviour Command hallucinations suggested to heighten risk of violence However study of schizophrenic men held under Mental Health Act for serious sexual offences Found poor relationship between delusions and sexual offending 94% suffered delusions/ hallucinations at time of offence For 51% these had no bearing on the offence Only 18% had delusions directly related to attack ( Smith & Taylor, 1999)

19. 'Son of Sam' killed six people in New York City and injured several more The American serial killer David Berkowitz, known as ' Son of Sam ', killed six people in New York City . He believed that a demon transmitted orders to kill through his neighbor's Labrador dog.

20. Other Disorders associated with criminal behaviour Substance abuse disorders: Alcoholism, drugs Sexual disorders: Erectile dysfunctio ADHD: Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity Impulse control disorders: Compulsive gambling, compulsive shopping Kleptomania: Inability to resist the urge to steal Pyromania: Deliberate fire-setting to relieve tension Intermittent explosive disorder: Recurrent outbursts of verbal or physical aggression Pathological gambling: Inability to resist the urge to gamble despite negative consequences

21. Domestic Violence Men can also experience physical, emotional, or other forms of abuse from their partners A study by Stuart et al. (2006) found high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, substance use disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder among 103 women arrested for domestic violence .

22. Mental disorder and violence The MacArthur study of Mental Disorder and Violence (Monahan, 2001) is considered the best study on violence risk assessment. It involved over 1000 psychiatric patients and examined the relationship between 134 risk factors, mental disorder, and subsequent violence. The study found that Many variables were associated with violence, but none of them were strong enough to be considered the direct cause of violent behavior . According to some psychologists, there is no single path in a person’s life that leads to an act of violence

23. Do All Individuals with Mental Disorders Commit Crimes? People who are violent have greater chance of being determined mentally abnormal as violence is listed as a key diagnostic feature Monahan (1981) Research, suggested that individuals with SEVERE mental disorders are No more likely to commit serious crimes against others than the general population. Bonta et al's (1998) literature review concluded that past or current mental disorder is not necessarily a predictor of criminal behavior or violence for all offenders. Most people with mental disorders are not violent .

24. Are they all criminals? According to the World Health Organization [WHO] around 1 in 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder.

25. Disorders & Crime Henn et al (1976) Extensive investigation on 1195 defendants referred for psychiatric assessment over 10 year period 93% diagnosed with something 40% personality disorder Of these 66% specifically APD 17% schizophrenia Alcoholism/ substance abuse common secondary diagnosis in antisocial personality disorder

26. Aggression & Violence Aggression is when one feels the urge to warn, intimidate, or attack others they see as threatening while violence is the act of physically harming or injuring someone due to anger or other reasons

27. Conceptualization of violence It has been conceptualized as follows: Medically as a disorder or illness Morally as a sin or crime Educationally as a problem of social learning Socially as an expression of deprivation or aggression etc

28. The risk of homicide is 14 per million, but for children the risk of being a victim is 38 per million. This is also true for domestic violence and sexual offenses such as rape. Organizational violence persists longer than individual violence, and in war there is also the issue of remote violence, such as using missiles and bombs from aircraft. Most violence is by the powerful against the weak & vulnerable

29. Male Rape Zawati studied how rape and sexual torture are used during war, focusing on Croatian and Iraqi men. Male rape in war is mostly about asserting power and aggression, rather than sexual desire . This type of violence have a severe impact on the victim's mental health.

30. Why does one person want to dominate or control another human? Two dimensions of control : 1) Keeping things on track with a vision and purpose for growth and safety 2) Using control as a Defense mechanism to relieve feelings of threat

31. Dominance and Control

32. 2A. Urge to Control i) Fear of being ignored or lacking personal power: Eg : For a Mafia leader who exerts control over their members through fear and intimidation due to a fear of being ignored or a desire to maintain personal power

33. ii) Internal strife, insecurity, & vulnerability: E.g., A serial abuser who seeks to control their victims as a means of dealing with their internal conflicts, insecurities, and vulnerabilities within themselves.

34. iii) Past experiences of mistreatment or neglect: Eg, A bank robber who grew up experiencing mistreatment and neglect, leading them to seek control through criminal activities to compensate for past trauma.

35. iv) Societal power dynamics and cultural pressures: For example, a corrupt politician who uses control and manipulation to maintain power within societal power dynamics and succumbs to cultural pressures for success and influence.

36. Disparity between authentic selves and idealized versions Eg: A charismatic spiritual leader presents themselves as divine with supernatural powers while exploiting vulnerable followers for personal gain. They create a facade of enlightenment to control their followers and cover up their true motives, which could stem from feelings of inadequacy or a desire for power and influence. Through deception and manipulation, they engage in fraudulent practices to extract money and resources etc from their followers under the guise of spiritual teachings or guidance.

37. vi) Feelings of inadequacy and attributing unfavourable characteristics to others to balance the inner fears & struggles Eg, the Rapists may have deep insecurities and a distorted sense of self-worth. This may lead them to seek validation and a false sense of superiority through violent and non-consensual acts. They try to hide their own perceived shortcomings by projecting their inner fears onto their victims and asserting control over them in a destructive way.

38. Theories Frustration-aggression theory provides a captivating insight into the psychological underpinnings of criminal behavior. According to this theory, an individual's experience of frustration can lead to aggression as a means to lessen or eliminate that frustration. This aggression often manifests in criminal behavior, as individuals may resort to illegal actions in an attempt to relieve their sufferings, pains & frustrations.

39. The link between frustration & criminal behavior John, a 25-year-old man, faced repeated job rejections and financial struggles, causing frustration and hopelessness. Turning to crime for quick money, he engaged in thefts. 

40. Biological theories Psychological events, such as severe abuse in childhood and severe psychological trauma in adulthood, may cause neurobiological abnormalities, for example, in serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in adults. Violence has been associated with low cholesterol levels and to be increased in people with a low consumption of fish or food that has omega-3 fatty acids. Stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cause shrinkage of the hippocampus.

41. How Trauma Affects the Brain prefrontal cortex : It regulates emotions like fear and aids in rational thinking. However, trauma can disrupt these functions, making it difficult for individuals to manage their fear and think rationally. The hippocampus stores and recalls information, especially about traumatic events. Trauma can interfere with these functions, making it challenging to remember and process such events and to overcome fear responses. The amygdala releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare us for "fight or flight" and stores visual memories of traumatic events to help us survive.

42. 2) Biological theories shed light on how genetic makeup and brain chemistry can Influence criminal behaviour. In a study of 36 violent offenders, researchers found that those who acted violently without thinking ahead had lower levels of a substance called Cerebrospinal Fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, in their brains. This substance is thought to be related to impulsive behavior. It was also found that among these offenders, those who had tried to commit suicide had the lowest levels of CSF 5-HIAA. This suggests that low levels of CSF 5-HIAA might be a sign of impulsivity rather than just violence.

43. P sychological theories illuminate how mental conditions such as personality disorders can lead to criminal behaviour. Eg: Some serial killers commit murder to feel powerful and in control, deciding the fate of others and exerting dominance over their victims. For serial killer Ted Bundy exhibited traits consistent with antisocial personality disorder, characterized by a disregard for the rights of others, manipulative behavior, and a lack of empathy. Hisinous crimes, including rape and murder, fueled by a sense of power and control over his victims. He manipulated victims before killing them He took pleasure in controlling his His motivation seemed to stem from the power he felt through these actions.

44. Amok syndrome In some cultures, such as in Indonesia and Malaysia, there is a phenomenon known as "amok syndrome" where an individual may go on a violent spree due to feelings of resentment or rage from perceived mistreatment For example, a person with schizophrenia might go on a shooting spree, targeting a specific group of people. This behavior is linked to a "state of dissociation" where the individual may feel disconnected from reality.

45. Sociological theories: societal influences including poverty, inequality, socialisation, and peer pressure contribute to criminal conduct. According to some academics, some people may be more likely to commit crimes because of their social surroundings or the influence of their peers

46. Influence of Culture on crimes In the United States, the cultural norm of valuing individualism and the pursuit of success may contribute to certain types of white-collar crime, such as corporate fraud. On the other hand, In Japan, where there is a strong emphasis on group harmony and saving face, the pressure to maintain a positive public image may influence deviant behavior in different ways, such as in cases of corruption within organizations.