CLASS 29

Personality Personality DisordersDisorders

((DSM Axis IIDSM Axis II))

A Definition

A longstanding, maladaptive pattern

of inflexible behavior

TOP FIVE

–Antisocial Personality Disorder

–Borderline Personality Disorder

–Paranoid Personality Disorder

–Narcissistic Personality Disorder

–Dependent Personality Disorder

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Current DSM label

Necessary to explain career criminals

Especially, cold-blooded killers

DSM always a behavioral definition

Debate over the Label

This character was recognized since Greek times

• Born criminal

• Moral imbecile

• Sociopath

Psychopathy

– Non-specific label

– from Hervey Cleckley (1941)

- he defined the cluster of traits that are still recognized today (more or less)

- this is my preferred term

Basic characteristics Traits

– impulsive thrill-seeking– lack of empathy & guilt

Behaviors– early deceitfulness– manipulative– superficial charm– story telling– low suicide rate

Destructive outcomes

Repeated criminal activity

Substance abuse

Inability to sustain personal relationships

What is the core mechanism?

Shallow affect:–they can’t experience emotional

highs or lows that normal people do

–explains the entire syndrome

Famous case studies

Ted Bundy

Biography

Seattle, Washington

Intelligent, attractive, articulate

Law student at U Washington

Anti-social activity

Serial killer in early eighties

Raped and murdered 12 women from Washington state to Florida

More info

Executed

1989

Christophe Rocancourt

With one of his model girlfriends

Later, modeled for police photograph

Biography

Raised in France:

Mother a prostitute; father an alcoholic

Violent history in Europe

Adored in North America

Character

Charming manipulator

Imposter:– millionaire, movie producer, race-car

driver, etc– member of Rothschild family– member of Rockefeller family

Other criminal behavior Con artist: bilked many victims of their money

Many counts of theft, fraud, attempted murder, forgery, etc.

Major crimes in NY, LA, and Vancouver

Long prison term

For more info

Whatever happened to Rocancourt ?

With Naomi Campbell at Cannes

ORIGINS OF PSYCHOPATHY?

three categories of theories

1. Biological Perspective

Brain scan shows differences Frontal lobe abnormality may lead to

deficits in planning actions and considering moral implications of actions

genetic predisposition heritability roughly 50 percent

2. Psychological Theories

Problem with thought processes?

2A. learning deficit

– normal IQ range but don’t acquire emotional associations

– i.e. never to socialize properly

– they don’t like punishment but are unable to benefit from it

2B. attention deficit

unable to focus on rewards and punishments

therefore, they forget what they were punished for

similarly, impulsive reward choices produces criminality

lack of sustained attachment prevents relationships

2C. language deficit

Don't process emotional words properly

Know what they mean but don't have emotional associations with them

Know the words, but not the music

3. Socio-cultural Sources

– Family problems - Lee Robins (1966)• divorce, conflict, inconsistent

discipline, parental conflicts in parenting style, alcoholic parents

– Childhood abuse and neglect – • 50 percent greater arrests among those who

were neglected, 100 percent greater arrests among those who were physically abused

MORE on CASE

STUDIES

Paul Bernardo & Karla Homulka

Paul and Karla

Lethal combination

Paul Bernardo

Hamilton, Ontario

University graduate

Successful accountant

Karla Homolka

Hamilton, Ontario

University graduate

Veterinary assistant

Antisocial activities Paul had prior girlfriends but abused them

He and Karla had a sado-masochistic sex life

They drugged, raped and murdered three women

Including Karla’s sister

They filmed the activities to watch later

Which one was the worst psychopath?

Karla wins

Karla turns Paul to police

Gets special deal – 12 years in prison

Paul gets life in prison – no chance of parole

Vancouver, BC

Clifford Olson

Antisocial activities

Arrests for include theft, assault,

escape (7 times), rape, dangerous driving

At least 11 murders including many children

Victims sexually assaulted and mutilated

character

Early delinquency

Social charm

Story teller

Manipulation Avoids arrest for 11 murders

Mocks police until arrest

Manipulates federal government

Special privileges in prison

“Vacations” to Vancouver

http://home.cogeco.ca/~mrcarle/OLSON.htm