Abnormal Psychology and Criminal Behaviour PDF

Abnormal psychology and criminal behaviour Lecture \#1 What is psychopathology? **Psychopathology:** is a branch of psychology that addresses the scientific study of mental disorders and their treatment **Integrationist approach** (3 different factors) **Biological**: (Genetics, chemical imbala...

Abnormal psychology and criminal behaviour Lecture \#1 What is psychopathology? **Psychopathology:** is a branch of psychology that addresses the scientific study of mental disorders and their treatment **Integrationist approach** (3 different factors) **Biological**: (Genetics, chemical imbalance, brain anatomy measurable) **Psychological**: (Personality, stress-coping, self-esteem) **Sociocultural: (**Family, gender, religion, SES) **What is meant by abnormal?** - Context is key: - Anxious over a job interview vs anxious in a public place - Cultural (Evil eye) - Age (scared of monsters -\> nightlight) **Abnormal**: is maladaptive Behaviour: - Deviant: - Statistically (careful: pro-athletes, high IQS) - Behaviour that is significantly different from socially accepted norms **(cultural relativism)** - Negative connotation - Ex: Heroin use - Distress (inl. Danger) - Dysfunction (impairment): Inability to function and cope with everyday demands Ex: student/parental/occupational responsibilities **Defining Abnormality**: DSM Diagnostic statistics manual (DSM): Describes about 400 mental disorders and their symptoms that must be present for diagnosing each disorder (rules out culturally sanctioned behaviours and does not provide causes) Used in USA and Canada DSM-5: Dimensional approach Previous DSMS: Categorial **What are the advantages of DSM:** - Promotes research on diagnostic features, etiology (causes), and treatment - Facilitates communication between mental health professionals - Overdiagnosis Ex: ADHD - Labelling Ex: Stigma, used to excuse certain behaviours - The illusion of objectivity Ex: Until 1972, the DSM had "Homosexuality" listed as a disorder - Guilty act: anything in the criminal code (actus reas) - Guilty mind: intent and committing act out of own free will (mens rea) - There is no guilty act without a guilty mind - Intentional - Pre-meditated (planned) - Deliberate (knew what was being done, had thought about it) - Murder of an on-duty police officer - Sexual assault - Kidnapping - High jacking/hostage - Crime organizations (Mafia, hells angel, blood, crips) **What happens when someone is guilty of 1^st^ degree?** - Minimum sentence: Life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years - Report to parole officer for life - Multiple murders= Multiple life sentences - Intentional - Deliberate (Had the intention of killing and knew the consequences) - Not pre-meditated (not planned) - Life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 to 25 years - Report to parole officer for life **2 different Homicide manslaughter** A. By means of an unlawful act B. By criminal negligence - Not be intentional - Not be planned - Not intentional - No minimum sentence - Maximum: life in prison (25 years) - If a gun is involved -\>, the minimum is 4 years (but it could reach life) - Accidental death usually under two years 1. Ordinary: a person with the same relevant traits 2. No cool-down period reduce to manslaughter **impaired driving causing death** Operating a motor vehicle while the ability to do so is impaired by alcohol or a drug causing death Sentencing Minimum sentence: is a 5-year license suspension Average: 2 years Max: life in prison Lecture 3A **2 Defences (general) Law series** How convinced one must be that something is true in Canada: 1. Balance of probability - Need enough evidence to make jurors 51% certain of a guilty/not guilty verdict - Usually for civil suits 2. Beyond a reasonable doubt (BARD) - 90% certain of a guilty/ not guilty verdict - This applies to homicide and most serious crimes **Evidence used In court cases:** Weakest to strongest 1. Hearsay - Gossip "My friend saw her kill him" 2. Character evidence - Testimonies about your character 3. Circumstantial evidence - Place the accused on the crime scene - Motive + opportunity 4. Direct evidence - DNA - Video Footage 1. Hearsay 2. Character evidence 3. Circumstantial evidence 4. Direct evidence **Defense: self or others** A person is allowed to use reasonable force in order to defend yourself, family or even a stranger if they genuinely believe that they are in danger To qualify, any defensive force must be proportionate to the threat Defense: mistake of fact - Misinterpretation of the facts - Commits actus reus but lacks proper mens rea Ex: shoot a man he thought was a bear Must be shown that a reasonable person would make the same mistake Defense: Age - Under the age of 12 no mens rea is possible no criminal charges - YCJA covers ages 12-17 - Youth aged 14 to 17 may be tried and/or sentenced as adults under certain conditions - Parents can also get charged - No person is criminally responsible for an act committed or an omission made while suffering from a mental disorder that rendered the person incapable of appreciating the nature and quality of the act or omission or of knowing that it was wrong Lecture 4A Psychotic disorder Psychotic: Out of touch with reality **Schizophrenia** Strong link to genetic/brain abnormalities Affects emotions, behaviour and cognition Men have earlier onset (late teens) compared to women (20's/early 30's) why? - Dopamine/women's estrogen affects dopamine levels \+ Symptoms - Delusions - Hallucinations - Disorganized speech - Grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour Negative symptoms - Affect flattening - Affect that is inappropriate - Alogia - Avolition - Anhedonia - Poor hygiene and grooming - Distorted sense of time **Delusional disorder** Prevalence 0,2% Usually mid to late adulthood The persecutory type of most persistent type and may appear at a younger age Cultural beliefs must be considered before reaching a diagnosis A. Delusion present for at least 1 month B. Criterion A for schizophrenia has never been met C. Apart from the impact of the delusions or its ramifications functioning is not markedly impaired, and behaviour is not odd or bizarre D. Exclusion criteria Types of delusion: 1. **Persecutory**: a belief that someone Is being spied on, drugged, or harassed 2. **Reference:** False belief that random events, objects or behaviours of others have significance to oneself 3. **Grandeur**: when you think you have some ability, may think you have a special relationship with a powerful person 4. **Jealous:** false belief significant other is being unfaithful with insignificant evidence, jealousy stems from feelings of inadequacy, then the partner starts to increase control ex: stalking (restrict autonomy)