NCJ Number
48766
Date Published
1977
Length
38 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOPATHY -- DEFINITION, CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES FOR SOCIETY, PREVENTIVE MEASURES RELATIVE TO CRIME AND PERSONALITY DISORDER -- IS PRESENTED IN TESTIMONY BEFORE A COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN SENATE.
Abstract
THE OVERVIEW, WHICH IS OFFERED BY A CONSULTANT IN PSYCHIATRY TO THE MAXIMUM SECURITY DIVISION OF A MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, FOCUSES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL ILLNESS AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. DEFINITIONS OF PSYCHOPATHY (PERSONALITY DISORDER, CHARACTER DISORDER, SOCIOPATHY, ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY) ARE PRESENTED, AND RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE CAUSES OF PSYCHOPATHY ARE SUMMARIZED. THE POSSIBLE CAUSES DISCUSSED INCLUDE CHILDHOOD DEPRIVATION, OTHER ASPECTS OF THE HOME ENVIRONMENT, AND GENETIC AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS. IN A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION, THE WITNESS POINTS OUT THAT OFFENSES INVOLVING PARTICULARLY BIZARRE ACTS ARE RARE AND THAT THE USE OF SCARCE TREATMENT RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR SADISTICS MURDERERS AND SEX OFFENDERS IS NOT JUSTIFIED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PREVENTIVE MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING CRIME AND MENTAL ILLNESS SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH IMPROVING THE FORMATIVE YEARS OF CHILDREN THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, CAMPAIGNS, CRISIS IMTERVENTION SERVICES, 'RESPITE' SERVICES FOR MOTHERS, AND OTHER FAMILY SERVICES. ASPECTS OF THE DEBATE OVER PREVENTION VERSUS CURE, IMPLICATIONS OF CASE EXAMPLES OF PSYCHOPATHIC BEHAVIOR, AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE CAUSES OF PSYCHOPATHIC BEHAVIOR ARE AMONG OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION. --IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH. (LKM)