The underlying effect of childhood trauma

Psychology 4085: Life Stories

This paper will examine the correlation between personality theories and how these theories made an impact on Aaron’s mean streak, his need for constant perfection, and his relationship with his mother and father which led to The life of Aaron Hernandez always being a mystery to those who knew him well but on June 17, 2013; his life took a turn from being known as an All-American recipient back to back to the now-convicted murderer of a Semi-Pro Football Player. This conviction brought awareness to the collision progressive disease better known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) after Aaron was diagnosed after his passing in 2017. Likewise, in this paper, I will examine published articles and movie footage of Aaron from before, during and after his case to focus on the prolonging effects of the disease and how these affect increased Aarons symptoms of rage, irritability, memory loss, and heightened suicidality.

“A football player is more likely to be violent than someone who didn’t play, because of the brain damage. It doesn’t mean every player will be violent, but there’s an increased risk. This is a very inconvenient truth.” - Dr. Bennet Omalu

· Body Paragraph 1

A- Topic Sentence: Aaron showed athletic promise early.

Evidence #1: Two time All American recipient in High School

Evidence #2: First Florida Gator player to receive the John Mackey Award.

· Body Paragraph 2

A- Topic Sentence: Aaron looked to his father for recognition through football.

Evidence #1 Aaron’s father was known as “The King” as a Brisco star player.

Evidence #2 Aaron’s father stated “watching his sons play sports was Dennis’s greatest joy.”

· Body Paragraph 3

A- Topic Sentence: Aaron was out to prove something.

Evidence #1 After the passing of Aaron’s father in 2007, Aaron tried to “follow his work ethic because he did everything the right way. He was always successful.”

Evidence #2 Aaron was drafted to the NFL in the fourth round.

· Body Paragraph 4

A- Topic Sentence: Aaron held resentment against his mother.

Evidence #1 “You will die not knowing your son”. Aaron told his mom on a recorded call.

Evidence #2 Neither Aaron’s mother or brother attends the last court dates before conviction.

· Body Paragraph 5

A- Topic Sentence: Aaron was known to abuse drugs since freshman year of High School.

Evidence #1 Hernandez said in a recorded phone call that he smoked before every game and used marijuana and the painkiller Toleda to depress his injuries for both on and off-season.

Evidence #2 Before being drafted in 2010, Aaron confessed to failing one drug test while a student at the University of Florida.

· Body Paragraph 6

A- Topic Sentence: Aaron’s psychological profile was known as off to his fellow teammates and team doctors.

Evidence #1 Aaron college football coach stated Hernandez was haunted by the loss of his father. “I think there’s a part of his life that was not there. He needed discipline. He needed someone to talk to.”

Evidence #2 Hernandez received the lowest score on the personality test under ‘social maturity” required before being drafted into the NFL.

· Body Paragraph 7

A- Topic Sentence: CTE shaped how Aaron viewed his world.

Evidence #1 “When your brain is damaged all logic goes out the window” - Jose Baez Aaron Hernandez attorney.

Evidence #2 "He had very advanced disease. And not only was it advanced microscopically, especially in the frontal lobes, which are very important for decision making, judgment, and cognition”- Anne McKee expert in CTE.

Analysis

Conclusion

Lastname, C. (2008). Title of the source without caps except Proper Nouns or: First word after colon. The Journal or Publication Italicized and Capped, Vol#(Issue#), Page numbers.

Lastname, O. (2010). Online journal using DOI or digital object identifier. Main Online Journal Name, Vol#(Issue#), 159-192. doi: 10.1000/182