Characteristics and traits of a psychopath

Traits   of a Psychopath

Watch The PCL-R Checklist: A measure of evil (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Discuss the characteristics and traits of a psychopath and how the PCL-R Checklist can be used to diagnose psychopathy. Using the textbook, video, and other outside scholarly sources, discuss the validity of the PCL-R Checklist, the ethical considerations of diagnosing a psychopath, and the legal implications of such diagnoses. Do you believe that such assessments as the PCL-R Checklist can provide accurate predictions of an individual’s behavior? Based on the video and your readings, what do you think the prospects are of successfully rehabilitating a psychopath?

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. Share your beliefs on the legal implications of utilizing assessments to predict psychopathic behavior. Discuss any rights that criminals may have with respect to such assessments.

Week 5 – Discussion 2

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Serial,   Spree, and Mass Murders

Differentiating between serial murders, spree murders, and mass murders can be difficult, as some individuals fit into two or more categories. Compare and contrast the characteristics of a serial murderer, spree murderer, and mass murderer. Using web resources, provide a criminal example of each one and discuss the motivations behind the crime(s). Are the motivations similar or different across the three? Do you think psychopathy plays a role in all murders?

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.

Week 5 – Final Case Study 

Final Case Study

Explore, in depth, one well-known criminal case. You may select your own case, or select from one of the following on the attached list . Your case study should focus on the following:

· Summarize the case, including a description of the offense(s), the investigation, and the outcome (such as the trial and sentencing).

· Analyze the psychological history or path that took the criminal to commit his or her crime(s). Describe the psychological, behavioral, environmental, and cognitive factors that you believe led to the offender’s criminality. Consider the various theories we have discussed in class including the psychoanalytic/psychodynamic theory, the behaviorist/social learning theory, the cognitive/social cognitive theory, and the humanist and interactionist theories, and provide examples. The goal here is to provide an analysis of the psychological history or path that took the criminal to commit his or her crime(s). Explain the impact of social, psychological, and biological theories of aggression on your chosen criminal’s behavior.

· Describe the crime typology. Did the offender have a personality disorder that might have played a role in the criminal behavior? If so, explain and provide examples and supporting references. Discuss the laws that are in place for protecting individuals with mental disorders.

· Describe whether your case study was a homicide offender or sexual offender. Discuss the typology (i.e., single murderer, serial murderer, spree murderer, mass murderer, child molester, or rapist).

· If applicable, discuss whether your offender was given a competence to stand trial evaluation, or was found to be not guilty by reason of insanity. Examine the ethical issues concerning evaluation and treatment of competence to stand trial and not guilty by reason of insanity cases.

· Discuss the ethical issues surrounding the case.

· Support the outcome of the case with your analysis or provide support of the alternative.

The paper must be eight to ten pages in length and formatted according to APA style. You must use five to eight scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, other than the textbook, to support your claims. Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.

Writing the Final Case Study
The Final Case Study:

· Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

· Must include a title page with the following:

o Title of paper

o Student’s name

o Course name and number

o Instructor’s name

o Date submitted

· Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

· Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

· Must use five to eight scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library.

· Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

· Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment