Psychopath Label in Criminology - Essay Example

Psychopathy has been now incorporated into the DSM-IV-TR under the classification of an antisocial personality disorder. It is in the Axis II, Cluster B of personality disorders, and can only be diagnosed in adulthood. The disorder can be found in children as a conduct disorder, which can accelerate and grow into an antisocial personality disorder. Psychopathy and sociopathy are associated terms with this disorder. Characteristics of this disorder are a persistent and repeating pattern of disregard for others and public norms. In addition, there are expanded criteria to this statement such as aggressiveness, lack of remorse in an act against another, deception, failure to comply with social norms, etc (American Psychological Association, 2000).

There is some disagreement regarding the classifications of this disorder. In particular, there is some discrepancy that exists between the APA, American Psychological Association, and the WHO, World Health Organization. The criteria for the APA classification for an antisocial personality disorder are stated above. The WHO defines the characteristics of antisocial personality disorder has mostly the same criteria as the APA classification, however, it eliminates the progression of a conduct disorder to antisocial disorder, which is one of the main criteria in the APA diagnosis.

There are not any effective treatments for antisocial personality disorder. This is because they are not one to go out and seek therapy. After all, they are disconnected from society. This dis-attachment from society means that they show no care for themselves or others, which is necessary during therapy for transference and counter-transference to occur. There is no specific medication in psychopharmacology that can prevent and treat antisocial personality disorder, however, there are medications that can be used and have been successfully used in decreasing the aggressive behavior in these clients (Black, 2006).

There is a link between criminal behavior and this disorder. Most serial killers and criminals that are an extreme threat to society have this disorder because they feel that they exist beyond the moral constraints of society. Therefore, they feel nothing when they commit criminal acts. Since there is no good method of treatment, the best course of action is that these criminals be imprisoned during their active criminal behavioral periods to protect society. Therapy and drug administration can then be given to them in a controlled environment and their behavior as a result can be monitored.