Discussion Board Questions

L7.Discussion: The Criminal Psychopath 

· Go online and find information about a well-known psychopath. What interpersonal, emotional, and behavioral characteristics does the individual exemplify that suggest to you that he/she is a psychopath? Provide links to your source(s).

· Now, find an article on a well-known individual that the media or society in general portrayed as a psychopath, but that you, given your reading of the chapter, believe is not a psychopath and explain why. Provide links to your source(s).

L8.Discussion: Crime and Mental Disorders

Choose one or both of the cases listed below and discuss it (or them) in relation to key concepts in the chapter. Use other resources as necessary.

· This  website  describes the biography, trial and controversy associated with the Andrea Yates case.

· The  story of Ralph Tortorici  illustrates a mentally disordered individual’s path through the criminal justice system.

L9.Discussion: Homicide, Assault, and Family Violence

Read the scenario and answer the questions that follow:

Bobby Yurkanin’s 84-year-old father had Alzheimer’s disease. For nearly nine years, Bobby lived with his father, meeting the elder Yurkanins’s needs 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In the years prior to his father’s diagnosis, Bobby had also cared for his mother through her struggle with terminal cancer. Friends describe Bobby as a dedicated caregiver who patiently helped his father through episodes of wandering, combativeness, sudden mood swings, and public disrobing.

Neighbors and friends reported occasionally hearing Bobby yell or curse at his father in frustration, but nobody had witnessed physical violence. Those familiar with the Yurkanin family history claim that Bobby, an only child, experienced a difficult and traumatic childhood. His father was an alcoholic who reportedly abused Bobby, his mother, and his grandmother. In addition, Bobby’s mother suffered frequent psychotic episodes related to a mental disorder. Bobby eventually left the tumultuous home, finished college, spent time in law school, and started a paralegal business. In the late 1990s Bobby returned home to care for his ailing mother. Following Mrs. Yurkanin’s death, Bobby and his father sold their New Jersey home and moved to a condominium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

It was on a visit to a Florida beach that Bobby witnessed another episode of his father’s public disrobing. Although witness accounts vary, it appears that an exasperated Bobby dragged his father into waist deep water in an attempt to put his father’s shorts back on. The elder Yurkanin fought Bobby and during the struggle the 84-year-old man’s head went under water. Witnesses report that Bobby eventually pulled his father out of the water but are unsure whether or not Bobby (a skilled life guard) performed CPR once on the sand. However, many witnesses report that Bobby resisted any calls to 911 and refused an ambulance for his father.

The next day, Mr. Yurkanin was pronounced dead. An autopsy listed drowning as the cause of death. Several days later, Bobby was arrested on charges of first-degree murder.

Discuss this case in relation to elder abuse and neglect, parricide, eldercide, and the cycle of violence.

L10.Discussion: Columbine

Columbine and other school shootings had an impact on many of us. What impact did any of them have on you, if any? What did you think are the reasons behind school shootings? After you answer these questions, read the following article.

· 10 years later, the real story behind Columbine

Did the news reporting on Columbine influence your opinion on school shootings? Are you surprised about the findings in the article? Given your readings from your text book and after reading this article, what do you think would be the best course of action in handling school violence?

1. Compare and contrast the various sex crimes covered in chapter 12. Using a case example from the media, illustrate how your case best exemplifies one of the sex crimes discussed in the chapter. Be as specific as possible. Cite your sources. 

Remember that your response must be at least 300 words.

Your assignment will be checked for plagiarism via SafeAssign.

2. Are Sexual Predators Genetically Programmed? 

The following hypothetical is based on an actual case and court proceeding although some of the details have been changed.

A federal district court judge recently allowed an individual convicted of child sexual assault and possessing child pornography to spend the holidays with his family before beginning to serve a prison term.

Prosecutors had argued that the offender was a danger to the children of the community and asked for his immediate confinement. The offender told the judge he had been sexually abused as a child, and that this was the reason for his transgressions. He also indicated that he had been receiving treatment for his sexual behavior and now understood why he had behaved as he did.

The judge told the offender that the past victimization was not the explanation for his crimes; rather, he was “genetically programmed” to prefer children. The judge also indicated that he had “no faith in psychiatrists and their theories".

Respond to the comments made by the judge, basing your responses on concepts and research covered in this chapter.

Be sure to use standard English grammar and spelling. Your response should be between 200 and 300 words.

Question

3. Compare and contrast effective treatment for juvenile sex offenders and adult sex offenders. In your own words, describe and justify which one you think is most effective.

Remember that your response must be at least 300 words.

Your submission will be checked for plagiarism via SafeAssign.

4. list and describe in detail, three (3) concepts, ideas, theories or perspectives you learned from this class that you can take "with you". For example, how will you use them?  Will they help you with your professional ambitions?

Respond with at least 300 words.