Biological theories of SM

1. Biological theories of SM Neurological functioning Hormones Brain damage Research on executive functioning Genetics Legal implications?

3. XYY Jacob�s Syndrome: A genetic disorder which pretty much has no symptoms. Was once thought was linked with crime. Richard Speck However, most criminals do not have XYY (not even at a higher % than general population). This theory has been discredited

4. Richard Speck July 14, 1966 8 nurses raped and killed Forces his way in while 5 are home at gunpoint 1 returns from drinking ties them up, takes them 1 by 1 2 nurses return home--these find him raping Pamela Wilkening stabs and strangles them Suzanne Farris stabbed 18 times Mary Ann Jordon stabbed in chest, neck and eye Finishes Wilkening with a stab to the heart Nina Schmael is next Her neck is broken, and stabbed rituatlistically Valentina Pasion Slits her throat through the voicebox

5. Richard Speck continued Merlita Gargullo raped for 30 mins, then stabbed and strangled Pat Matusek takes her to the bathroom + asks �Are you the girl in the yellow dress?� ruptures liver + strangles her Cora Amurao--has been hiding + is a witness Gloria Davey, raped while unconscious With Amurao�s testimony Speck is convicted + sentences to life 1 appeal involves the XYY defense hormone treatment

6. Biology and Women Alternate theories have argued that women are essentially irrational and thus not able to be held responsible for their behavior during: PMS (Dalton) Puberty Menopause Post-Partum All of these theories have been discredited empirically: Ex. Overpeck and Post-Partum Hormones can influence some motivations (ex. Testosterone and sex drive) Do hormones force us to behave in a particular manner? Probably not, but it is a convenient rationalization also expectancy effects

7. Brain Function and mass homicides Brain function is a more reasonable hypothetical link with crime than is hormones Robert Hare Brain tumors Charles Whitman 16/30 brain tumor in hypothalamus But most criminals do not have brain tumors Unlikely any general brain chem cause

8. IQ and SM Do the less intelligent commit more crimes What IS intelligence? Influence of Lombroso Bell Curve (Herrnstein & Murray) Criminals have average IQ of 92 However, other studies suggest psychopaths have high IQs Could be that low IQ criminals more likely to get caught SM and IQ Organized vs. disorganized

9. Pornography Does pornography lead to violence Dworkin suggests pornography leads to violence against women most research suggests that depictions of consensual sex does not Violent (rape) pornography--weak temporary effects Unlikely pornography causes violence No surprise that sex criminals enjoy violent pornography But we seem to favor external attributions for crime Also provides convenient rationalization Ex. Ted Bundy

10. Historical Perspectives in Psychology Psychodynamic Thanatos Oral sadistic Behavioral Social modeling Humanistic All basically good

11. Current Psychological Perspectives on SM: �deviant� behavior Mental illness? Insanity? Psychology recognizes the contribution of: sociology biology

13. Social Learning Theory (continued) Modeling Bo-bo doll experiments Media violence? Recent controversies on video games Why violent crime reduction? Probably a weak explanation for SM

14. Diathesis-Stress A more quasi-medical approach to psychology than is social learning theory Assumes deviant behavior results from a �disorder� which is internal to the individual However, not a deterministic model diathesis: Biological or personality predisposition stress: life events Thus crime (or any disorder) results from an interaction of a predisposition for that disorder with life stress in the absence of coping skills. Still view SM as disorder Consistent with Hickey But is SM necessarily a �disorder�

15. Diathesis-Stress (continued) Multiaxial classification of disorders: Not one, but two types of disorders may produce criminal behavior AXIS I: Clinical/Mental Disorders(depression, schizophrenia, etc.) Most (e.g. depression) do not imply loss of rational thought Generally speaking only psychotic disorders may result in decreases in rational thought Contrary to what you might hear, psychotics ARE somewhat more likely to engage in crime, however: Most crime is �nuisance� crime Violent crime is �disorganized� in nature Most criminals are not psychotic

16. AXIS II AXIS II disorders include mental retardation and (more importantly) personality disorders These are not mental illnesses, nor are they generally curable or treatable Personality disorders imply that the person�s thought patterns, interpretations of the world and behavior are �deviant�and this is how they �naturally� are not a mental illness life long and pervasive personality is virtually unchangeable--no empirically validated treatments exist for personality disorders

17. Antisocial Personality Disorder Antisocial Personality Disorder (Psychopathy, Sociopathy) Hedonistic calculus No empathy/guilt/remorse Violate rights/well-being of others Usually highly charming, above average intelligence Thrill seeking behavior 4% of males 1% of females in US highly associated with crime in both males and females (e.g. Salekin et al., 1997; Hare, 1983). Sadistic Subtype (Millon, 1996) However, not all psychopaths are criminals, not all criminals are psychopaths

18. Sadistic Personality Disorder Theodore Millon Not in DSM-IV-TR as �official� diagnosis Similar in some regards to APD, but� Motive differs somewhat Hare�s psychopathy