Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behavior CRIM 2330

Psychological Explanations of

Criminal BehaviorCRIM 2330

Introduction12 September 2011

The Problem(s)• The One

/micro, psycho-dimension

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcJiu4jXfTk&feature=related

Versus• The

Many/macro-Socio-dimensionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEnnsGKKCI&feature=fvsr

Or a *Combination* of Both?“A ‘miscarriage’ of the environment?” Aristocrats in Jail?

Young convicts in a Texas prison

C. Theron in Monster

What Sort of Crime Are We Talking About?

• Ghetto Crime?

• White-collar offense?

• Fascination with Weapons and Violence

Mafia execution?

• Banditry?MESRINE,“Le Grand Con”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piz5rL6agTw

Holocausts ?

Or “Satanic” Ritual?

Last but certainly not least….Crime as SEX-related…

Or War?• We speak of “crime” and

“morals,” and yet have standing armies—

Behind it an ongoing, complex relationship of LOVE/hate with VIOLENCE…And that complicates things—

SCHIZO

To Recapitulate• Split personality• Sex/Rape• Warring/Upmanship/

Aggressiveness• Death-wish• Poverty• Barbarousness• Avidity/ Acquisitiveness

• Chronological Factor/Generational Break— “Particular Times”

• “MASS-MEN”? Ortega y Gasset

A Fundamental Distinction?

“This”…and “This.”

PSYCHE-wise, we agree, for instance that there must be a difference between

“CRIMINALS” BOTH…

WHAT IS THE PSYCHE ANYWAY?

http://www.chatterboxtheater.org/chatterbox-feed.rss

Mythologia, Episode 01: Cupid and Psyche Music by C, Franck:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6xuv7dB59U

A section of the brain, issuing waves?

A “spiritual” organ; a semi-hidden interface between other realms and our conscience.

And it may fall ill: psychopathy. It malfunctions.

What makes it malfunction?

Most importantly how does it work?

The Myth• Beauty Envy of the Gods• Eros loves under cover of anonymity• Envy of the sisters• Trust is broken• The tasks (“trials”):

– To the Underworld to Persephone• The temptation and the sleep• The kiss and Divinity