The chapter focuses on psychopathy appraisal and how the attribute has evolved over time. This is basically explained in terms of conduct features and character traits. The author cites the aforementioned as among the features which were used by practitioners in the diagnosis of mental disorders. The use of character alone is however faulted by the fact that there are certain behavioral patterns such as malicious and callous conducts which are habitually displayed in a manner that is not irresponsible.
The author further gives an example of the consequences of marginalization of personality features associated with psychopathy. To this, she provides a marginalization displayed within a society with regard to persons who display higher criminal tendencies. She alludes to the fact that such persons are generally treated poorly. She however provides that recent research has shown that pshychopathy traits along with the behavior and personality features can effectively be used to foresee the negative effects than the treatment of the psychopathy disorder.
Further, the chapter alludes to the definition of psychopath persons and provides that such persons do not generally concern themselves with the consequences of their conduct even though their acts may be offensive thus undesirable to the public. This makes them experience constrained relationship with other members of the society. In addition, it is clear that prior research has revealed that psychological effects are a contributing factor to psychopathy. Subsequently, offenders who display psychopathy tendencies are prone to committing crimes of a greater magnitude than the non-psychopathic offenders. In addition, they do not exhibit apprehension features hence they do not act well in response to punishment.
In light of the foregoing, the harsh effects of psychopathy within the mental health systems and the criminal justice structures have necessitated much attention on consistent and legitimate evaluation of psychopathic character. Such interventions are required in a bid to assist the researchers and medical practitioners in developing early intervention and management strategies. As such, expert instructions are necessary while determining psychopathy such as in the use of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Springer, 2007, pg 227).
With regard to juveniles, Falkenbach writes that the study of the psychopathy traits in juveniles is a proper procedure which helps in the theoretical and practical aspects. However, she states that the practical aspect is a more worrying trend among the adolescent offenders. To this, she cautions that there are tendencies among societies to overlook the fact since most people see the behavior as a normal growth aspect. As such, she contends that identification of young people who are likely to continue with criminal trends into adulthood is essential. Consequently, Falkenbach, shows controversies in the developmental, abstract, hypothetical and the juvenile psychopathy aspects (Springer, 2007, pg 230).
In conclusion, Falkenbach states that although there are some tests which have been established to determine the psychopathic aspects, the same have not been researched collectively. This she attributes to the fact that the tests have been used in different surroundings with some being conducted on juvenile justice and others on clinical treatment. As such, there has never been a critical evaluation of the external nexus and measures relating to the tests. Extreme prudence must therefore be exercised in the treatment and management of psychopathy.
References
Springer, D., Roberts, A. (2007). Handbook of Forensic Mental Health With Victims and
Offenders: Assessment, Treatment, and Research. New York. Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
