IndexIntroductionBodyConclusionReferencesIntroductionPsychopathy refers to a mental disorder in which individuals develop amoral and unethical behavior that typically violates social norms, values, and beliefs. The characteristics are similar to those of an individual diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder where traits such as lack of empathy, remorse, guilt, and shame, as well as increased aggression and superficial charm, are displayed (Linden, 2019). Those with this developmental disorder display emotional deficits, which researchers say are more susceptible to criminal behavior. This article will discuss how psychopathy is defined and its relationship with criminality proposed by psychological theories and studies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayBodyVarious hypotheses and perspectives can be used to explain what leads an individual to develop a psychopathic personality disorder that influences unbalanced and deviant ways. In an attempt to explain a correlation between childhood trauma and antisocial behavior, researchers studied a sample of young males and females and their experiences of parental abandonment and abuse. Researchers suggest that physical abuse in delinquent youth results in more aggressive and violent behavior, inducing the development of affective deficits such as reduced display of sympathy and lack of impulse control (Krischer & Sevecke, 2008). The sample of candidates participated in a series of questionnaires including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version (PCL-YV). Gender differences have played a role in supporting the hypothesis that victimization is seen as a crucial factor for the aggressive ways found in deviant women. Researchers found that physically abused male delinquents who scored higher on the PCL-YV test exhibited poorer anger control, greater irresponsibility, and more significant criminal behavior (Krischer & Sevecke, 2008). From the study findings, childhood trauma faced by the discussed genders plays a role in several influential factors that cause the progression of psychopathy-related traits. The Psychopathy Checklist procedure was established in 1980 as a reliable method used to assess psychopathy in individuals. The twenty-item list of traits and behaviors, including pathological lying, manipulation and callousness, was used to identify a psychopath. The checklist also examines whether a specific offender may pose a potential risk to other institutionalized offenders or those admitted to psychiatric units. The screening results were used by prosecutors to determine the length of the sentence and whether treatment or rehabilitation might be needed. The revised checklist introduced in 1991 includes two factors. According to Vitale and Newman (2006), an individual's dismissal of the emotions and rights of others is examined, including lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse. The second factor assesses antisocial behavior, early delinquency, and criminal adaptability (2006). As criminological research has expanded, the checklist has been questioned as to its reliability and validity in today's society. By analyzing past data and conducting research with female samples, Vitale and Newman (2006) examine the validity and current status of the PCL-R assessment. As mentioned by the study researchers, due to previous data focusing primarily on the behavior of malesCaucasians, it is difficult to use the results to generalize more diverse samples. Study results show that the PCL-R is a reliable instrument in assessing institutionalized and noninstitutionalized female samples, although the overall simplistic validity picture remains unclear (Vitale & Newman, 2006). The researchers of this study suggest that the PCL-R should continue to be used as an approach to understanding psychopathy until there is sufficient evidence to alter it. Those with a psychopathic diagnosis are characterized as individuals with a manifestation of antisocial tendencies, demonstrate high egocentrism, and lack an engaging conscience. Previous research claimed to provide evidence demonstrating the immunity that psychopaths have towards treatment, however, more recent studies suggest that rehabilitation should be studied and considered a possibility among diagnosed psychopaths. Larsen (2019) states that those who scored very high on the PCL-R have previously been interpreted as “untreatable” where the results were unsuccessful, a practice that researchers say expresses significant clinical pessimism. Furthermore, the PCL-R manual also highlights that those who have been defined as psychopaths have shown that treatment fuels a counter-effect that makes them more antisocial and can influence recidivism behavior (2019). The data collected by researchers explains that psychopaths fall into a complex category that distinguishes them from other criminals. In other words, there is nothing “wrong” that the evaluation can correct. Despite other findings, Larsen (2019) suggests that although there is compelling evidence demonstrating successful rehabilitation, there is little support for speculation that psychopaths remain unresponsive to psychiatric intervention. Instead of assuming that psychopathy directly produces a vile and callous killer, one should be challenged to dispel the myths that portray people with psychopathic personality disorder as emotionless or unalterable. An important conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that treatment may be too optimistic; practitioners should instead focus their studies on managing the antisocial patterns found in those diagnosed with the disorder, rather than attempting to reshape the underlying antisocial personality characteristics. The psychoanalytic theory developed from the research of Sigmund Freud states that the personality is composed of three parts: the id, the ego and the superego. Freud believed that the id controlled biological drives, the ego directed the impulses of the id, and the superego indicated an individual's conscience and ability to make moral reasoning (Linden, 2019). Imbalance between these parts can lead an individual to succumb to deviant responses. To explain it more simply, Freud compared the theory to an iceberg showing the three distinct parts that make up a personality in correlation to the satisfaction of one's unconscious needs. According to Linden (2019), the tip of the iceberg is said to reflect conscious awareness where portions of the ego and superego are typically displayed. When the submerged part of the iceberg is reached, it is theorized to represent the personality of most people, including the id with unrefined desires and impulses (2019). Practitioners believe the theory suggests that criminal behavior occurs when the ego and superego are unable to restrain the hostile and antisocial forces of the id. Youthful misbehavior is believed to be related to an individual's unsuccessful development during the early years, commonly related to failureidentification with parental figures, leaving the superego weak or deficient. Psychoanalytic researchers have proposed that during the early years of a child's life, a stable attachment to the mother allows children to display affectionate and understanding behavior toward others (Linden 2019). Lack of attachment generally causes the child to have an inability to express affection, thus the ability to inflict harm on others without feelings of remorse or guilt. Linden (2019) states that it is well recognized that trauma and abandonment experienced at a young age contribute significantly to the development of criminal and antisocial behavior. Hans Eysenck's personality theory of crime states that negative behaviors are easy to evaluate. According to Linden (2019), this theory is affiliated with classical conditioning where a specific stimulus is linked to another that evokes a particular response. For example, when a child is punished, he or she may feel fear or pain, so if he or she contemplates the act again it will be associated with the initial distress felt when the punishment was received. It has been suggested that those who engage in criminal behavior do not develop this conditioned response due to lack of exposure to successful conditioning routines (Linden, 2019). In an effort to further study Eysenck's theory of criminality, two different samples were examined to research a new approach using cluster analysis to illustrate the assortment of personality types. Methods to conclude these findings included distributing the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to a sample of inmates serving short-term sentences and to a group of students attending classes at a local college. According to McGurk and McDougall (1981), the results of the study showed that high scores in the distinct categories of extraversion and neuroticism in the delinquent sample support Eysenck's theory that antisocial conduct is found more often in these individuals. The study also supports the idea that criminals will score high in the psychoticism category as well. The overall importance of Eysenck's theory is to establish the connection between psychological and social factors that play a role in identifying an individual's likelihood of participating in criminal behavior. Using distinctly similar theoretical perspectives, psychopathy should be reviewed to determine the direct relationship to crime and violence. and methods to avoid such behavior. Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant correlation between childhood trauma and neglect which ultimately manifests in delinquent behavior. Children who experience psychological or physical abuse tend to exhibit violent actions due to an inability to distinguish right from wrong. The effects can lead to the development of attributes similar to those characterized by Antisocial Personality Disorder in which individuals may withdraw from societal behaviors and act on aggressive and malignant instincts, due to traumatic experiences of displaced hostility. Using research from psychoanalytic theories and Eysenck's grand theory, researchers could evaluate the most effective methods in managing an individual's antisocial characteristics. In doing so, this creates space for new professionals to examine psychopathy as a personality disorder that affects the sympathetic and rational parts of an individual rather than viewing psychopathy as immutable. This may introduce new concepts and approaches to uninformed people who hold the idea that all psychopaths are considered dangerous and believe that.8.1.117