I am interested in finding the answer to a much thought about question in the lines of criminal behavior. I am curious to know if there have been many studies done on behavioral cognition in a criminals childhood. I would like to know what sort of studies there have been on criminals also, If possible concerning their unlawful behavior.

-- Shantra June Reese (KrazyKitty789@aol.com), August 26, 2004

Answers

A good place to start is to read the chapter(s) on psychopathic personality disorder in a textbook on psychopathology or on the personality disorders. There are various speculations on the childhood factors that might contribute to psychopathic/siociopathic behavior. You might also check out information in journals and textbooks on forensic psychology. The rather interesting issue in forensic psychology is that most major psychiatric disorders are a basis for "not reason by reason of insanity" whereas a diagnosis ofpsychopathic personality disorder is almost a guarantee of presumed guilt. There is an interesting discussion of that issue in Lorna Benjamin's 1996 Interpersonal Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders (Guilford Press).

-- Hendrika Vande Kemp (hendrika@cox.net), August 27, 2004.

Ghosts From the Nursery by Robin Carr Morse. Study about possible envionmental and biological correlations linking certain childhood behaviors and environmental conditions (I believe prenatal conditions are also researched) to criminally deviant lifestyles.

-- Liana Peres (vivere.come.lei.morivano@gmail.com), October 06, 2004.