Whether ADD Or ADHD Contributes to Criminal Behavior or Not - Coursework Example

Criminal Justice Introduction: What is Criminal Behavior? Advancement within the domain of studying crime from legal, scientific and sociological perspective has introduced a new area of cultivation: Criminal behavior. Scholars in this field of study have opined that crime is a social phenomenon and not an isolated incident. There are several factors that lead an individual to commit crime or help in the development of criminal tendencies in his/her psychology. Such observation has also helped the scholars to find out a deep connection between psychology and commission of crime, and has led to development of a separate area of study, known as Criminology. Modern legal jurisprudence is providing special importance on criminology as it stresses on the fact that unless it is possible to understand criminal behavior, it will not be possible to check the rate of criminal acts, “Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon. It includes within its scope the process of making laws, of breaking laws, and of reacting towards the breaking of laws …. The objective of criminology is the development of a body of general and verified principles and of other types of knowledge regarding this process of law, crime and treatment” (Siegel, 2008, p. 4). Thus, it becomes clear from the definition that several factors are responsible for development of criminal tendency in an individual and it has a deep connection with psychological aspect of that person. Relation of criminal behavior with psychological pattern of an individual also opens up scope for discussion regarding psychological disorders and their contribution in the development of criminal behavior. A great deal of scholarly discussion has occurred whether behavioral disorders like ADD or ADHD, which is scientifically known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder contributes in generating criminal behavior or not. Arguments have been made in support and against of such observation and it is quite difficult to reach a particular conclusion. Whether ADD or ADHD contributes to Criminal Behavior or not: Prior to get deep in the discussion whether ADD or ADHD contributes in germination of criminal behavior or not it is important to receive certain information about types of this disease and its symptoms. According to Susan Ashley, there are basically three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, namely primarily inattentive- commonly known as ADD, primarily hyperactive-impulsive and combined, both of these types are known as ADHD. Essential symptoms of this behavioral disorder, which is mostly found in children and adolescents, are, forgetfulness, concentration problem, distraction and inability to provide attention for a long time, habit of losing necessary things, reluctance in performing important tasks, poor organizing capacity and problem in perceiving others when it comes to listening and understanding others in a course of direct conversation (Ashley, 2005, p. 2-3). According to the findings of Susan Ashley, an individual suffering from ADD or ADHD has comparatively greater chance of being attached to criminal behavior than a person without such behavioral disorders. At the same time she also has specified that as people suffering from ADD or ADHD, especially children and teens, develop a tendency for illicit drug abuse, finally, this situation lead them to develop an inclination for being engaged in criminal activities (Ashley, 2005, p. 226-227). Not only Ashley’s research strongly claims that people, suffering from ADD or ADHD behavioral disorders develop a tendency towards developing criminal behavior but volumes of scholarly researches have been done which, both through their qualitative and quantitative analysis, have stressed upon the aspect that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among youths and adults often lead to development of criminal behavioral tendencies within an individual. However, these studies also have reflected that in most of the cases due to negligence, lack of awareness and without proper diagnosis of the affected persons, development of the mental disorder takes worse form and goes beyond capacity of being treated. People suffering from such extreme forms of ADD or ADHD generally develop criminal behaviorist tendencies and are prosecuted for criminal convictions. On the other hand, if adequate measures are taken in due time with proper care and initiative, such behavioral problems can be controlled and also can stop an individual from developing criminal tendencies. The research findings of Peder Rasmussen, and Christopher Gillberg that has been laid down in the article, “Natural Outcome of ADHD With Developmental Coordination Disorder at Age 22 Years: A Controlled, Longitudinal, Community-Based Study” clearly provide evidence in support of such observation. The researchers, for the purpose of their study, have chosen 101 individuals, among which 62 are male and 32 are female. To receive distinct results for their study, they also have divided the entire population of subjects into certain parts, such as a group of 55 people were separated of whom 39 subjects were suffering from both ADHD and DCD disorders. Among the 39 subjects, 13 were suffering from serious behavioral disorder problem and condition of remaining 26 was comparatively better. Among the rest 11 and 5 subjects simultaneously, had either ADHD or DCD problems. The other group comprises 46 subjects are they were only for the purpose of scientific comparison. After end of the study it has been reveled that subjects that 13 subjects that were suffering from serious conjoint effect of ADHD and DCD as well as the 5 subjects suffering from only DCD disorder, have exhibited poor outcome (Rasmussen, and Gillberg, p. 1427). Poor outcome, as it has been determined for purpose of the research, suggests, “(1) permanent sick pension; (2) conviction for criminal offense; (3) … diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse disorder; (4) a diagnosis of any other … psychiatric disorder—except depressive disorder, which tended to be common in the comparison group as well as in the index group—leading to marked impairment in global functioning; (5) … personality disorder diagnosis or … “subthreshold” personality disorder diagnoses; and (6) a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder” (Rasmussen, and Gillberg, 2000, p. 1427). The researchers have opined, “It can be argued that the poor outcome is a reflection not so much of the ADHD and/or DCD in itself but rather of various psychiatric conditions appearing very early in life in affected children” (Rasmussen, and Gillberg, 2000, p. 1429). According to findings of this research it can be said that a person’s development of criminal behavior is not entirely dependent on ADD or ADHD disorder; rather condition of an individual becomes worse if he/she has certain bad memories of his/her childhood and fused with ADD or ADHD, mental condition of that person becomes critical. In the article, “Psychopathy and ADHD in Adolescent Male Offenders” by Sebastian G. Kaplan and Dewey G. Cornell, the researchers have attempted to find the connection between psychopathy and ADHD. A total number of 122 subjects, all males, have been selected for research purpose. In the same context the researchers have also attempted to find whether psychopathy and ADHA indicate violent behavior or development of criminal attitude among youths. In this context, results of the research have also to certain extent matches with the research made by Peder Rasmussen and Christopher Gillberg. The ADHD indicators do not show or can be correlated with that of violent behavior or development of criminal approach among youths, “Indicators of ADHD had a negligible effect on the predictions of violent behavior in comparison to ratings of juvenile psychotherapy” (Kaplan and Cornell, 2004, p. 157). In the same manner research findings of Rasmussen and Gillberg have also showed that ADHD and/or DCD do not have any direct effect when it comes to development of criminal behavior in a person unless this behavioral disorder receives certain impetus from certain bad memory of the patient. Thus, such observation reasserts the fact that ADD or ADHD does not have any direct role to play in the development of criminal approach in a person. Quite contradiction to the findings of such research studies, the report, “ADHD and long-term troubles: Not just a risk for boys”, published in Crime Times, claims, “It’s well established that boys with ADHD are at increased risk of developing adult antisocial behavior and addictive, mood, or anxiety disorders” (Nov, 2006, p. 1). Impression provided by the report indicates at the fact that any person, who is suffering from his childhood with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are at a higher risk, compared to others to get into anti-social activities. However, the important issues, such as, social isolation, genetic problems, lack of assistance from educational institutions, support form parents or some tragic incidents in early childhood, combined with such behavioral disorder, finally provides impetus to a person of being inclined towards developing criminal tendencies. In support of the observation that people with ADHD behavioral disorder are at a greater risk of becoming criminals, another report, “Adult ADHD risks revealed by study” has disclosed results of a research conducted by scientist Biederman and colleagues. According to findings of this research, “Biederman and colleagues report that 37% of the adults with ADHD, compared to 18% of the controls, had been arrested. In addition, they say, “Adults who reported having been diagnosed with ADHD were significantly more likely to engage in antisocial and addictive behaviors than the control group,” although there were no differences between the groups in the rate of alcoholism” (Nov, 2006, p. 1-2). The research results also have disclosed certain facts that personal lives of people with ADHD are more unstable compared to other people and they also show a declining tendency or enthusiasm to participate in higher educational programs. On one hand, certain research findings have shown that ADHD disorder is not an indicator for tracing violent behavior or developing of criminal attitude in a person; and on the other certain research findings are showing evidences that provide emphasis on the matter that people with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing criminal tendencies. However, it is interesting to see that second type of research findings are also not claiming ADHD in an individual necessarily indicates development of antisocial behavior in a person; rather it is just a criteria which makes possibility of a person with such disorder stronger towards development of criminal mentality. As a child grows up in the contemporary social structure, he/she does not always receive the kind of treatment that would suit his/her psychological condition. No matter how much people claim about social support and parental assistance to a child, but the factors like social and parental negligence are still very much prevailing. A child born with ADHD disorder, which is mostly caused due to genetic factors, is often perceived as unnatural. At the same time, during the process of his/her growth, he/she no only receives a hostile attitude from her parents but also outside his/her family he/she is treated in a different manner. Under such situation occurrence of certain tragic or bad things with that child is quite natural, which in due course of time, fused with ADHD disorder, can finally give birth to criminal mentality in that person. Thus, it can be said when it comes to development of criminal behavior in a person, ADHD or ADD are not only aspects that lead to criminality in a person. Fused with different types of social and cultural issues, finally, the ADHD or ADD contributes in developing criminal behavior of a person. There is no doubt about the fact that with the process of human civilization number of people with ADD or ADHD is also increasing at a random rate. At the same time, increase in the number of such people is also creating certain problem when it comes to their interaction with others during regular course of life, “The characteristics of ADHD, which can vary significantly among patients and patient age groups, result in chronic problems with attention and impulse control; this, in turn, contributes to difficulties with productive functioning in academic, social, and workplace settings” (Minkoff, 2009, p. S151). The only possible way to solve the problem is to take optimum care while handing these people in regular course of social life and at the same time provide them with perfect support. However, various forms of the problem and various types of its presentation have also made treatment of this issue extremely tough among professionals. Thus, the entire process should start from educating common people and identifying the seriousness of ADD or ADHD disorder in an individual. References Ashley, S. (2005). The ADD & ADHD answer book. Illinois: Sourcebooks, Inc Cornell, D.G. and Kaplan, S.G. (2004). Psychopathy and ADHD in Adolescent Male Offenders”. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice. Vol.2. No. 2. 148-160. London: Sage Minkoff, N.B. (May 2009). “ADHD in Managed Care: An Assessment of the Burden of Illness and Proposed Initiatives to Improve Outcomes”. The American Journal of Managed Care. Vol. 15. No. 5. Rasmussen, P. and Gillberg, C. (Nov. 2000). “Natural Outcome of ADHD With Developmental Coordination Disorder at Age 22 Years: A Controlled, Longitudinal, Community-Based Study”. J. AM. ACAD. CHILD ADOLESC. PSYCHIATRY, 39:11 (2006). “Linking Brain Dysfunction to Disordered/Criminal/Psychopathic Behavior”. Crime Times. Volume 12, Number 3. Siegel, L.J. (2008). Criminology. Ed: 10. Connecticut: Cengage Learning Read More