4th Grade Criminology Study Notes

A personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, remorse, and guilt, often coupled with a disregard for social norms and a manipulative nature.

A superficial charm that masks their true intentions.

An inflated sense of self-importance and a belief that they are superior to others.

Constant and deliberate lying, often for personal gain.

The ability to expertly manipulate and deceive others for their own benefit.

Absence of genuine feelings of guilt or remorse for their actions.

Inability to understand or share the feelings of others.

A pattern of impulsive behavior, and a lack of responsibility for their actions.

Techniques used by individuals to justify their actions, particularly criminal ones, in order to avoid guilt and maintain a positive self-image. These techniques help individuals to avoid experiencing emotional discomfort associated with their actions.

A set of arguments and justifications used by individuals to minimize the moral implications of their actions and avoid feelings of guilt. These arguments are used to lessen the impact of criticism and maintain a positive self-image.

The process of reducing the perceived severity or blameworthiness of an action. This is often done through the use of neutralization techniques, which allow individuals to maintain a positive self-image despite engaging in harmful behaviors.

The denial of one's involvement in a crime or the downplaying of its significance. This is a tactic used to avoid feelings of guilt and shame, and to maintain a positive self-image.

Shifting blame for an action away from oneself and onto others or external factors. This technique allows individuals to maintain a sense of righteousness and avoid personal responsibility.

Minimizing the negative consequences of an action or justifying it by claiming that it was necessary or beneficial. This can allow individuals to convince themselves that their actions were not wrong or harmful.

The act of selectively focusing on positive aspects of an action while ignoring the negative ones. This can allow individuals to convince themselves that their actions were primarily beneficial or that the negative consequences were insignificant.

Maintaining a positive self-image despite engaging in harmful behaviors by convincing oneself of their own moral superiority or adhering to a specific set of values. This helps individuals to justify their actions and avoid feelings of guilt.

These criminals engage in sexual offenses due to distorted motivations, not as a means of coping with stress.

A clear distinction exists between individuals who sexually assault adult women and those who target children, as well as between abusers within families and those who prey on strangers.

Some sexual offenders exclusively commit sexual offenses, while others combine these crimes with other criminal activities.

Sexual offenders can be categorized based on their gender, with men overwhelmingly dominating this category, particularly in assaults against adults.

With the advent of technology, sexual offenders are now categorized as online, contact, or hybrid, encompassing both online and physical interactions.

In contrast to men, women are more likely to use poison as their primary method of murder.

Women perpetrators often target family members and acquaintances.

Women serial killers tend to stay in their local areas, reducing the geographical scope of their crimes.

Studies indicate that women tend to remain active as serial killers for longer periods compared to men.

Women are overrepresented in the category of killing children compared to men.

The case of Juana Barraza, known as ''La Mataviejitas'' (The Old-Woman Killer), exemplifies how gender biases can hinder investigations.

In the context of serial killing, women are less likely to be sentenced to the death penalty than men.

Women are often overlooked as suspects in crimes, particularly when the victim is female, due to entrenched societal biases.

The tendency for serial killers to minimize the impact of their actions on their social reputation, reflecting a desire to maintain a normal social life despite their crimes.

Serial killers are known for their lack of empathy and remorse, which is often why they engage in neutralization techniques. They are not motivated by guilt.

A defense mechanism used by serial killers to justify their crimes by denying responsibility for their actions and shifting blame to the victim. This is often done by perceiving the victim as deserving of their fate.

The theory proposed by D.J. Williams that states serial killing is a form of deviant leisure activity, where the killer derives pleasure and satisfaction from acts of violence and cruelty.

The desire to find enjoyment and fulfillment through activities and experiences, often involving leisure and play, which can be distorted and expressed in inappropriate and harmful ways, as seen in serial killers' actions.

A distinctive aspect of serial killing, where the victim becomes an object of pleasure for the killer, often involved in acts of cruelty and violence, extending beyond the primary act of murder.

The act of deriving pleasure from acts of violence and cruelty towards others, often seen in serial killers who find excitement and gratification in the suffering they inflict.

A common type of sexual homicide offender characterized by a desire to inflict pain and suffering on their victims for sexual gratification.

A type of sexual homicide offender driven by anger and rage, often targeting victims who have triggered their aggressive impulses.

A type of sexual homicide offender who kills to eliminate witnesses or prevent identification.

Low self-esteem can be a foundational trait in sexual offenders, or it can develop as a reaction to the legal consequences of their actions.

Shame is a common emotion experienced by sexual offenders as a result of their crime.

Cognitive distortions, specifically rationalizations, are common in sexual offenders. These distortions help them justify their actions and lessen the moral impact of their crimes.

The inability to understand or share the feelings of others, particularly empathy for the victim, is a common characteristic in sexual offenders, especially in those with a lack of remorse or regret.

This group of sexual offenders is complex and difficult to treat, as they lack remorse and may have personality disorders like psychopathy or sadism.