NCJ Number
61095
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (1976) Pages: 128-133
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE SENSE OF MISTRUST DEVELOPED BY YOUTHS FROM LOWER CLASS URBAN MINORITY BACKGROUNDS IS EXAMINED IN RELATION TO THEIR PSYCHOPATHIC BEHAVIOR AND TREATMENT.
Abstract
THEORIES ON THE CAUSES OF PSYCHOPATHY HAVE SHIFTED IN EMPHASIS FROM PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PERSONAL FACTORS TO CULTURAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES. HOWEVER, BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ALL PLAY ROLES IN TRANSFORMING A POOR UNEDUCATED YOUTH FROM A MINORITY GROUP INTO A PSYCHOPATHIC PERSON LIKELY TO BECOME A CRIMINAL. THE AUTHOR'S THEORIES ARE DERIVED FROM ERIKSON'S CONCEPTS OF CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, IN PARTICULAR THE IDEA THAT AN INFANT LEARNS TO TRUST OR MISTRUST OTHERS DEPENDING ON THE WAY HIS MOTHER TOUCHES HIM. LOWER CLASS URBAN MINORITY FAMILIES TEND TO BE LARGE AND UNSTABLE WITH THE RESULT THAT THEIR CHILDREN DO NOT RECEIVE THE AMOUNT OF MOTHERING NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A GOOD SENSE OF TRUST. THEIR PESSIMISTIC VIEW OF THE WORLD IS CONFIRMED WHEN THE OLDER CHILD ENTERS THE STREET ENVIRONMENT. SUCCESS ON THE STREETS, AS IDEALIZED BY THE HUSTLER, REINFORCES PSYCHOPATHIC PATTERNS, SUCH AS LACK OF ANXIETY, IMPULSIVENESS, AND EGOCENTRICITY, WHILE DENIGRATING SKILLS THAT TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP. MOTIVATION PROBLEMS STEM FROM THE FACT THAT THE YOUTH VIEWS THE WORLD WITH SOME OF THE PERCEPTIONS AND RESOURCES OF A SMALL CHILD BECAUSE OF HIS STUNTED PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS LIFESTYLE ALLOWS THE YOUTH TO FUNCTION IN A FAMILAR WORLD, WHICH PROVIDES HIM WITH PEER APPROVAL AND GROUP IDENTITY. IT ALSO ACTS AS A PROTECTIVE BARRIER FOR DEEP FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY, LONELINESS, AND LACK OF LOVE. A THERAPIST CAN PROVIDE A PSYCHOPATH WITH CHANCES FOR PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES AND IMPROVED SOCIAL CONTACTS, BUT IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE BASIC PSYCHOPATHIC ORIENTATION, THE YOUTH MUST BE TAUGHT HOW TO TRUST. SINCE THE PSYCHOPATH FEELS THAT TRUST IS EQUIVALENT TO EXPLOITATION OR MANIPULATION, PROGRESS DEPENDS ON THE THERAPIST'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE CONSISTENT TRUST, AFFECTION AND UNDERSTANDING, AND TREATMENT OFTEN FAILS. MOST YOUNG PEOPLE RETURN TO THE GHETTO AFTER REHABILITATION AND SUCCUMB TO A VICIOUS CYCLE OF STREET LIFE AND JAIL BECAUSE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PRESSURES. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (MJM)