Decoding Madness

Law and Crime

Why Hate Crimes Are Rising

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on February 3, 2023

What are the psychological forces that lead to hate crimes?

What are the psychological forces that lead to hate crimes?

Child Development

Self-Hatred and Crime

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on November 28, 2022

Sometimes, seemingly inexplicable self-defeating behavior has an internal logic all of its own.

Sometimes, seemingly inexplicable self-defeating behavior has an internal logic all of its own.

Psychiatry

Can Mental Health Professionals Help Reduce Crime?

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on September 23, 2022

Here's a way to potentially reduce the criminalization of people with mental illness.

Here's a way to potentially reduce the criminalization of people with mental illness.

Personality

The Potential for Extreme Violent Behavior Is Not Always Apparent

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Could a sense of victimhood contribute in some cases?

Could a sense of victimhood contribute in some cases?

Domestic Violence

Is the Heat of Passion Biased Against Women?

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on March 26, 2022

When it comes to domestic violence and murder, some critics complain that the courts are biased again women. Here’s why.

When it comes to domestic violence and murder, some critics complain that the courts are biased again women. Here’s why.

Anger

Useful Illusions: The Normalizing of Conspiracy Theories

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on February 8, 2022

Reality is complex, and so many of us are prone to self-deceptive illusions. Are you?

Reality is complex, and so many of us are prone to self-deceptive illusions. Are you?

Sex

The Serial Killer and Sexuality

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on January 5, 2022

The psychological forces that animate the unfathomable actions of a serial killer.

The psychological forces that animate the unfathomable actions of a serial killer.

Alcoholism

When Is a Mentally Disordered Person Dangerous?

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on December 6, 2021

On November 30, 2021, a teenager in suburban Detroit took his semiautomatic handgun to high school and killed four students. Could this tragedy have been prevented?

On November 30, 2021, a teenager in suburban Detroit took his semiautomatic handgun to high school and killed four students. Could this tragedy have been prevented?

Law and Crime

10 Reasons People Admit to Crimes They Didn’t Commit

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on November 8, 2021

If you've done nothing wrong, you likely believe there’s nothing to worry about if the police want to interview you about a crime. Think again.

If you've done nothing wrong, you likely believe there’s nothing to worry about if the police want to interview you about a crime. Think again.

Psychopathy

7 Elements of the Psychopathic Personality

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on October 11, 2021

How to avoid becoming prey to a psychopathic personality.

How to avoid becoming prey to a psychopathic personality.

Fear

Why Are We So Interested in Crime Stories?

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on September 24, 2021

Is your interest in true crime stories abnormal?

Is your interest in true crime stories abnormal?

3 possible remedies to police brutality.

Psychosis

A Case of the Body Snatchers

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on July 3, 2021

Can a defendant be both psychotic and sane?

Can a defendant be both psychotic and sane?

Psychosis

A Brief History of the Insanity Defense

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on June 4, 2021

What does the divine have to do with the insanity defense?

What does the divine have to do with the insanity defense?

Anger

Madness or Malingering?

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on May 18, 2021

He stomped her until she was breathless, dead. Madness or pure rage?

He stomped her until she was breathless, dead. Madness or pure rage?

Psychosis

Why Would a Parent Kill Their Own Child?

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on April 27, 2021

The deadly consequences of one mother's psychosis highlight the complexity of using an insanity defense.

The deadly consequences of one mother's psychosis highlight the complexity of using an insanity defense.