Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 7:07:40 GMT
Greetings All
I need to preface this thread by stating that I can only check in every few days due to my workload so apologies in advance if I don't reply in a timely fashion.
I am a new member to the boards and a long time lurker - well ever since I came to know about this case via the supremely good Aussie podcast, Casefile True Crime, and their 5 part series of same. I'm currently listening the Criminology podcast series. I've consumed lots of other material on the case, as well.
I am a Forensic Psychologist and I work in a psychiatric hospital.
**Please be clear that I am not offering an opinion of Mr Deangelo's psychological profile. Like other posters on this forum, I have never met the man, I have scant information outside of his offending career, and no collateral information about his development, or other psychosocial history. In short, I probably know what you know, and can't be certain of that which I think I know, outside of the few verifiable facts. What all of that means is that it is not possible for any of us to make diagnoses, not even those of us in the field.
I've been reading, with both interest and concern, some of the psychological analyses offered by some posters. There are some pervasive myths/misunderstandings being oft repeated around the construct of 'psychopathy', and the psychological profiles of so-called serial offenders. Some questionable early research, and of course Hollywood have much to answer for. Whilst I can't upload restricted access journal articles, there is enough freely available information available via google. I'm sure most of you are able to discern the higher quality sources.
Anyway, back to the title of this thread - more recent thinking is that psychopaths do not necessarily lack empathy as such (one common misconception), but may be able to switch it on or off for some purpose or other.
I started this thread due to my observation of the language used by some of the forum members in relation to Mr Deangelo. Curiosity not judgmentalism, by the way.
Empathy for the victims of these crimes is easily summoned in a psychologically healthy mind. They suffered, and some continue to suffer, unspeakable horror, and obviously not all of them survived.
It is understandable that from a distance, and with the knowledge we have of the crimes, for many it is unthinkable that they could ever feel empathy for the offender. It might just surprise some of you to know that when you get to know someone in the context of their lives, and in their presence, you can summon empathise for them. (Empathy does not equate to condoning, or excusing behaviour that is clearly unacceptable).
In particular, I was reading the thread regarding the 'leaked' reason that Mr Deangelo was in a wheelchair at his court hearing - alleged suicide attempt. I watched the deindividualisation develop as the 'mob justice' mentality spread. Please don't take offence. We are all capable of it. Anyway, it made me think of the theoretical empathy switch. In reality, watching any human being in distress, and inflicting that type of injury to themselves (if true) would likely elicit a feeling of empathy from many of you if you were to actually see such a thing in person.
I wonder if there are any posters out there who, in addition to feeling empathy for the victims, also feel empathy and compassion for Mr Deangelo, but feel hesitant about expressing it for fear you will offend, hurt or anger others?
I need to preface this thread by stating that I can only check in every few days due to my workload so apologies in advance if I don't reply in a timely fashion.
I am a new member to the boards and a long time lurker - well ever since I came to know about this case via the supremely good Aussie podcast, Casefile True Crime, and their 5 part series of same. I'm currently listening the Criminology podcast series. I've consumed lots of other material on the case, as well.
I am a Forensic Psychologist and I work in a psychiatric hospital.
**Please be clear that I am not offering an opinion of Mr Deangelo's psychological profile. Like other posters on this forum, I have never met the man, I have scant information outside of his offending career, and no collateral information about his development, or other psychosocial history. In short, I probably know what you know, and can't be certain of that which I think I know, outside of the few verifiable facts. What all of that means is that it is not possible for any of us to make diagnoses, not even those of us in the field.
I've been reading, with both interest and concern, some of the psychological analyses offered by some posters. There are some pervasive myths/misunderstandings being oft repeated around the construct of 'psychopathy', and the psychological profiles of so-called serial offenders. Some questionable early research, and of course Hollywood have much to answer for. Whilst I can't upload restricted access journal articles, there is enough freely available information available via google. I'm sure most of you are able to discern the higher quality sources.
Anyway, back to the title of this thread - more recent thinking is that psychopaths do not necessarily lack empathy as such (one common misconception), but may be able to switch it on or off for some purpose or other.
I started this thread due to my observation of the language used by some of the forum members in relation to Mr Deangelo. Curiosity not judgmentalism, by the way.
Empathy for the victims of these crimes is easily summoned in a psychologically healthy mind. They suffered, and some continue to suffer, unspeakable horror, and obviously not all of them survived.
It is understandable that from a distance, and with the knowledge we have of the crimes, for many it is unthinkable that they could ever feel empathy for the offender. It might just surprise some of you to know that when you get to know someone in the context of their lives, and in their presence, you can summon empathise for them. (Empathy does not equate to condoning, or excusing behaviour that is clearly unacceptable).
In particular, I was reading the thread regarding the 'leaked' reason that Mr Deangelo was in a wheelchair at his court hearing - alleged suicide attempt. I watched the deindividualisation develop as the 'mob justice' mentality spread. Please don't take offence. We are all capable of it. Anyway, it made me think of the theoretical empathy switch. In reality, watching any human being in distress, and inflicting that type of injury to themselves (if true) would likely elicit a feeling of empathy from many of you if you were to actually see such a thing in person.
I wonder if there are any posters out there who, in addition to feeling empathy for the victims, also feel empathy and compassion for Mr Deangelo, but feel hesitant about expressing it for fear you will offend, hurt or anger others?