11-11-2017, 12:00 AM
Human potential varies and is dependent upon numerous factors. Some individuals are limited by their emotions and desires. Some are not. Sometimes this is related to individual biology. Other times it relates to the environment. Most times there's a combination of features leading to an individual outcome regarding mental health. Take psychopaths for example:
Psychopaths are impulsive, irresponsible, and manipulative according to the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). These traits cause measurable behavioral symptoms such as consistent aggression, antisocial behavior, and violent crimes (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). 50 participants were used from a federal male prison who were convicted of homicide (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). Results indicate psychopaths are more predatory than others, often engaging in more planning than other offenders (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). Most homicides by psychopaths are instrumental (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). An interesting feature of psychopaths is their increased likelihood to omit significant details of their crimes (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). This is known as deception by omission and psychopaths are known to leave out details which indicate less planning and more reactivity for their crimes than initially shared during the initial interview (by law enforcement) (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). This may be because it is more acceptable, socially, to momentarily lose emotional control whereas premeditated homicides or violent crimes are less excusable and indicate a mental instability.
Reference
Porter, S., & Woodworth, M. (2006;2007
. I'm sorry I did it ..but he started it: A comparison of the official and self-reported homicide descriptions of psychopaths and non-psychopaths. Law and Human Behavior, 31(1), 91-107. doi:10.1007/s10979-006-9033-0
Psychopaths are impulsive, irresponsible, and manipulative according to the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). These traits cause measurable behavioral symptoms such as consistent aggression, antisocial behavior, and violent crimes (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). 50 participants were used from a federal male prison who were convicted of homicide (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). Results indicate psychopaths are more predatory than others, often engaging in more planning than other offenders (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). Most homicides by psychopaths are instrumental (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). An interesting feature of psychopaths is their increased likelihood to omit significant details of their crimes (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). This is known as deception by omission and psychopaths are known to leave out details which indicate less planning and more reactivity for their crimes than initially shared during the initial interview (by law enforcement) (Porter & Woodworth, 2007). This may be because it is more acceptable, socially, to momentarily lose emotional control whereas premeditated homicides or violent crimes are less excusable and indicate a mental instability.
Reference
Porter, S., & Woodworth, M. (2006;2007
. I'm sorry I did it ..but he started it: A comparison of the official and self-reported homicide descriptions of psychopaths and non-psychopaths. Law and Human Behavior, 31(1), 91-107. doi:10.1007/s10979-006-9033-0