Reference no: EM133691904

Assignment:

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1. Much of the material in this course has focused on how psychopathy has made its way into criminological theory and criminal justice policy and practice. Drawing on material discussed in the course (Hare's Without Conscience, Handbook of Psychopathy, the 2012 FBI Bulletin on Psychopathy, and other sources), explain how the theoretical construct of psychopathy has impacted criminology and criminal justice.

2. What is Psychopathy?

3. Can psychopaths be treated? What does the research literature say in terms of the treatment of psychopaths in correctional and forensic settings?

4. Based on your experience hypothetically scoring on the PCL-R in class, discuss your thoughts on ethical issues surrounding the use of the PCL-R to predict dangerousness and its application in other areas in the criminal (and civil) justice systems. Do you have any particular areas of concern? How can the ethical issues in using a tool like the PCL-R to enhance public safety be reconciled with the negative impact of the psychopathic label?

5. Picture yourself as an expert witness for the prosecution on the witness stand being questioned about the research literature on psychopathy. The case involves a defendant who has been convicted for a double aggravated torture-homicide who experts on both sides agree scores 35-40 on the PCL-R. The prosecutor is arguing for the death penalty based on evidence that the offender is a callous, remorseless psychopath who is highly likely to harm anyone he can get access to, including other offenders. The defense attorney is attempting to argue that the offender has feelings and that condition of psychopathy is biologically based, therefore the offender should not receive the death penalty because he is not responsible for his behavior.

The defense attorney asks you the following questions on cross examination: Please tell the court, is psychopathy biologically caused? Much of this case revolves around the defendant's inability to feel. There are a number of articles that have been introduced into evidence dealing with the relationship between unconscious defensive process and conscious cognitive style in the psychopath. Isn't it true that this research suggests that psychopaths can, in fact, feel and that these feelings can be measured?

Please tell the jury, what does the research say about this - Can psychopaths feel emotion? Based on your review of the research, is there evidence to suggest that psychopaths (including the defendant in this case) cannot control their behavior and that psychopathy should be seen as a mitigating, rather than an aggravating factor in this sentencing determination?