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James Fallon

James Fallon is an American neuroscientist. He has categorised himself as a ‘pro-social’ Psychopath.

In 2006 he began scientific studies looking at murderers, psychopaths and schizophrenia, but during the studies they found out that he himself had the exact brain imaging pattern and genetic make up of a full psychopath.

“When tested for psychopathy, I consistently scored as a “pro-social” psychopathic, and borderline to being a categorical psychopath.”

Punishments for Murder

“The question of how to punish murderers has been debated for centuries; most prominently whether or not it is justifiable to inflict the death penalty upon someone who has taken the life of an innocent victim. To some, there is no doubt that a murderer should be killed – it is the basic premises of an eye for an eye or a life for a life. People who believe this feel that someone who has taken a life should forfeit their own. Others believe that there is never any justification for putting someone to death, and that the death penalty is just as wrong as the actual murder.

Of course ‘murder’ is a big generalisation, however those who commit murder who are mentally ill is my focus. How should they be punished?

Hiding real thoughts

Kumi Yamashita

"Non-Human Sub-Species of Ape”

https://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=211777

I came across this highly disturbing and frustrating page online. The title itself being “Psychopaths: Non-Human Sub-Species of Ape”. For starters that statement in itself is extremely bizarre and false. The article goes on to discuss that Psychopaths are not humans, that they have exclusive qualities and symptoms which ‘normal humans’ do not have. The part which angers me the most is that people who suffer from physical illnesses, cancer, lung disease etc., are classed are perfectly normal except the fact that they may be suffering from a ‘normal’ illness. If this article suggests that because Psychopaths are not human due to their different qualities and symptoms, surely that means those suffering from physical illnesses are also a “non-Human Sub-Species of Ape”. However if anyone were to suggest that they would be completely ignored and hated. If this is the case, why should anyone be allowed to say this type of thing about those with mental illnesses? It’s entirely untrue and shocking.

I want to protest against this and announce that it is in fact the complete normal, and anyone with a mental illness is just as human as anyone else, illness or not.

Creativity and Psychopathy

Whilst continuing my research I have come across many articles and information which states that creativity and psychopathy are linked. A study at De La Salle University in Manila, states that “creative individuals require higher levels of emotional disinhibition, dishonesty and risk taking to cultivate their talents. All of which makes them significantly more likely to be (actual) psychopaths.” Perhaps it’s the way in which artists and psychopaths perceive the world, how they wish to live their lives by making a statement. A book by Hans Prinzhorn, “Artistry of the Mentally Ill” crosses both creativity and mental disorders, by simply allows those suffering from mental illnesses to produce artwork. I found this book really interesting - as a lot of the art is just continuous writing, with the occasional shapes and objects placed over the top. Even though it may just be words, the way in which it flows is intriguing. Your eyes follow the page easily. They really are amazing pieces of art. Studies show that many play writers, authors, artists are supposedly psychopaths. Meaning not all psychopaths are ‘criminals’.

Ed Gein

This is one of most disturbing yet interesting cases I know of. Ed Gein, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield, or Leatherface, was an American murderer. Known for two murders of Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, and digging up bodies from graves. He made clothing, furniture and trophies and many other truly grotesque things from their bones and skin.

In this situation, there is a lot of history relating to why he committed these crimes. Gein had an unstable upbringing. His mother, Augusta Wihelmine, often preached to her boys about the “innate immorality of the world, the evil of drinking, and the belief that all women were naturally prostitutes and instruments of the devil”. She would read the bible to them, but only parts concerning murder, death and divine retribution. Whenever Gein made friends, his mother would also punish him. Even though his mother was abusive, Gein’s brother was often concerned about his vast affection for his mother, and would attempt to speak badly about her, but that only led to Gein being hurt and upset. In 1944, Gein’s brother Henry died suspiciously, no investigation came of it but due to sporadic injuries many suspect Gein murdered his brother. In 1945, Gein’s mother died due to illness. Gein stated that he “lost his only friend and one true love”.

Gein’s crimes began after the death of his mother. He visited three graveyards 40 times, and would dig up middle aged women, but only those who resembled his mother, and then took the bodies home. After his mother's death, Gein began to create a suit out of human skin which resembled a woman, so that he could “become his mother - to literally crawl into her skin.”

At Gein’s first trial in 1957, he pleaded guilty by reason of insanity. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was mentally unfit for a trial. Gein was then transferred to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. In 1968 it was decided Gein was now well enough to proceed in the trial. A psychiatrist said that Gein had “told him that he didn't know whether the killing of Bernice Worden was intentional or accidental.” Gein was found guilty by Judge Robert H. Gollmar, but a second trial then occurred due to Gein’s sanity, Gollmar then ruled Gein “not guilty by reason of insanity” and therefore spent the rest of his life in a mental hospital.

If a man who committed crimes as disturbing as this, but was found not guilty due to insanity, surely that then questions all the other crimes committed by psychopaths?

What initiates Psychopathy?

A lot of cases have shown that there is often a link between child abuse (sexual, physical, mental) and serial killers. Such as Ed Gein (image), Josef Fritzl and Charles Manson. All were abused and neglected as children. Due to these unstable families, they often show signs of voyeurism and sadomasochism from a young age. Being raised in these environments can cause a high amount of confusion between love and hate for those raising the child. The confusion stems from the fact that the abuser(s) shows love to the child but then also are the ones who create the truly traumatic experiences. Therefore in some cases, this then allows the child to believe these two opposite actions are both acceptable and then repeats them.

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