Dr. Stanton Samenow, author of Inside The Criminal Mind, has some good points to make about a controversial theory about how antisocials or psychopaths (he refers to them as antisocials or "criminals" throughout his book) think, and also dispells some common myths about them. For instance, he does not believe that criminals do not know right from wrong, he does not believe they are "helpless" victims of oppressive social conditions. Among other myths, he does not believe that crime is contagious, that crimes of passion qualify as temporary insanity, that people turn criminal because they were rejected by society, or that watching violent television programs automatically "creates" violent psychopathic behaviour in children.

Basically, his viewpoint, kindled by the studies of Dr. Yochelson, who wrote various books about criminals, is that antisocials, i.e. psychopaths or "criminals," are basically a product of their thinking and that their thinking is very different from that of the average person. They are not like normal people and were basically born that way, probably due to genetics, since he also writes that psychopathy seems to be hereditary.

Samenow basically thinks that a criminal (i.e. antisocial personality or psychopath) should see himself "for the rotten person he is", and that the criminal must be indundated with fear and guilt. It is only by feeling fear and guilt that he may be able to change. The "criminal" also needs to curb the tendency to act out when the world doesn't "suit" him. He must grow so utterly fed-up with himself, and be in a vulnerable situation so that he is forced to want to change. He must not demand fair play but treat others shabbily, nor can he blame others. He must stop blaming anyone or anything for the choices he makes. It is not his self-esteem which needs building, as he already thinks of himself as superior. He must choose to do good, and must acquire moral values. Also, for those who work with "criminals" it is necessary to know how they think.

Another interesting point Samenow makes is that the "criminal" personality enjoys having power over people, and, like Guggenbuhl-Craig, he believes they seek out positions of power because it is desirable for him to view people as pieces on a chessboard to "move at will."

For more books by Samenow and Yochelson, on this and related subjects (including a book for parents of antisocial children named Before It's Too Late...), please see the links below.

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