The Concept of the Psychopath

In their evidence to the recent Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency the R.M.P.A. stated the problem of the psychopath in terms of delinquent or otherwise anti-social behaviour. After eliminating cases where such behaviour resulted from well-recognized forms of mental illness or defect, from psychoneurosis or organic disease or injury, their Memorandum went on to say that there remained a group of patients “whose daily behaviour shows a want of social responsibility and of consideration for others, of prudence and foresight and of ability to act in their own best interests. Their persistent anti-social mode of conduct may include inefficiency and lack of interest in any form of occupation; pathological lying, swindling and slandering; alcoholism and drug addiction, sexual offences, and violent actions with little motivation and an entire absence of self-restraint, which may go as far as homicide. Punishment, or the threat of punishment, influences their behaviour only momentarily and its more lasting effect is to intensify their vindictiveness and anti-social attitude.”