Psychopathy And Crime

Question 1

What is Diminished Responsibility?

Answer 1

‘Suffering from abnormality of mind’

Homocide act, 1957

Question 2

What is the Coroners & Justice Act 2009?

Answer 2

‘Suffering from an abnormality of mental functioning’

Either because of:

1. Medical condition
2. Impaired ability to understand behaviour

Question 3

What is Insanity?

Answer 3

When someone shows impairment near permanently

Punishment retributive - what if there no criminal intent?

Punishment deterrent - what if someone can’t see their actions as wrong?

Question 4

What is the M,Naughten Rule?

Answer 4

Not responsible for criminal conduct if:

1. Not know nature & quality of act committed
2. Knowing the nature & quality of act BUT not understand act was wrong

Question 5

Not Guilty by Reasons of Insanity

Answer 5

Inability to understand right from wrong

Question 6

What are the 3 characteristics of psychopathic personality?

Answer 6

1. Boldness
2. Meanness (manipulation)
3. Disinhibition (restlessness)

Question 7

Biological explanation for psychopathic personality

Answer 7

Warrior Gene
- regulates serotonin
If mutated = diminished functioning of hormones that relate to aggression

Pre-frontal cortex

• key in self control
• often irregular in psychopaths