Inside the Criminal Mind

Personality Disorders

Do Criminals Draw a "Red Line" for Themselves?

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on March 12, 2023

The criminal's "red line" of which crimes he will not commit is extremely permeable.

The criminal's "red line" of which crimes he will not commit is extremely permeable.

Forensic Psychology

Should Solitary Confinement Be Extinct?

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on February 20, 2023

Solitary confinement is in disfavor because of how it has been applied. However, correctional facilities still must manage the "worst of the worst."

Solitary confinement is in disfavor because of how it has been applied. However, correctional facilities still must manage the "worst of the worst."

Psychopathy

3 Crimes With Identical Underlying Thought Patterns

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

Perpetrators of bank robbery, rape, and burglary are not as different as one might think.

Perpetrators of bank robbery, rape, and burglary are not as different as one might think.

Compartmentalization

Sentimentality of the Criminal: A Basis for More Crime?

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

Maudlin sentiment and savage brutality reside side by side within the criminal.

Maudlin sentiment and savage brutality reside side by side within the criminal.

Personality

Why the Current Elections are Fertile Territory for the Criminal Mind

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on October 31, 2022

A very small percentage of the population can create a disproportionate amount of mayhem.

A very small percentage of the population can create a disproportionate amount of mayhem.

Bullying

A Guide to the Criminal's Tactics to Seize Control

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on October 20, 2022

Control of other people is an end in itself, no matter how it is achieved.

Control of other people is an end in itself, no matter how it is achieved.

Guilt

To a Parent Racked With Guilt Over Her Criminal Son

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on September 28, 2022

The child brings up the parent as well as vice versa.

The child brings up the parent as well as vice versa.

Psychopathy

Why Are Criminals Often Indignant?

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on September 14, 2022

Indignation is a pervasive state of mind nearly every day of a criminal's life.

Indignation is a pervasive state of mind nearly every day of a criminal's life.

Psychopathy

The Criminal as Victim: The Tide Flows Backward

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on August 2, 2022

It is a short distance from regarding the criminal as victim to seeing the criminal as a hero.

It is a short distance from regarding the criminal as victim to seeing the criminal as a hero.

Child Development

Helping Juvenile Offenders Change: Practical Considerations

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on June 28, 2022

The scope of the task of helping juvenile offenders change may lead to despair and self-doubt by mental health professionals and corrections workers who are unprepared.

The scope of the task of helping juvenile offenders change may lead to despair and self-doubt by mental health professionals and corrections workers who are unprepared.

Psychopathy

Identifying Mass Shooters: Psychology is Unlikely to Help

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on June 10, 2022

Psychology should not overpromise when it comes to mass violence, and the public needs to be educated on the field's limitations.

Psychology should not overpromise when it comes to mass violence, and the public needs to be educated on the field's limitations.

Personality

A Criminal Personality Rationalized and Romanticized

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on May 20, 2022

A forensic psychologist notes what others fail to observe in the widely acclaimed novel "Groundskeeping."

A forensic psychologist notes what others fail to observe in the widely acclaimed novel "Groundskeeping."

Science and reason, not politically motivated controversy, needs to be brought to bear on understanding child pornography offenders

Moral Injury

How Control Over Others Can Be a Dangerous Behavior

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on April 14, 2022

Understanding this feature of the criminal may help a person avoid being victimized.

Understanding this feature of the criminal may help a person avoid being victimized.

Education

Safer Schools With the Return of Police

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on April 14, 2022

It has not taken long for educators to recognize the value of and restore a program that, in a rush to "reform," was discarded.

It has not taken long for educators to recognize the value of and restore a program that, in a rush to "reform," was discarded.

Personality

What Are the "Causes" of Crime?

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on March 16, 2022

Is it time to abolish the term "root cause" when trying to understand criminal behavior?

Is it time to abolish the term "root cause" when trying to understand criminal behavior?

Personality

Parents of Criminals Like Anna Delvey Learn to Let Go

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on March 4, 2022

Child rearing is not a one-way street.

Child rearing is not a one-way street.

DSM

Damage Avoided: A Radical Change in Diagnosis

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on February 21, 2022

Two very different diagnostic entities may superficially resemble each other.

Two very different diagnostic entities may superficially resemble each other.

Psychopathy

Why the Term "First Offender" Is Often Wrong

Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on February 4, 2022

A person designated as a "first offender" is usually anything but. Here's why.

A person designated as a "first offender" is usually anything but. Here's why.

When it comes to lost parent-child relationships, the "obvious" culprit may not be the only culprit.