Deviance In American Psycho

When we look at how fragile each one of our lives are, we need to take a minute and realize the different characteristics that form us into who we are today. Studies have shown that there are characteristics within the behavior of an individual that can be linked to the specific behaviors demonstrated by an offender that would classify them as a psychopath. Along with other research that looks into an individual’s genetics to see if that plays a role in defining or making a psychopath. John Allen Muhammad, also known as the D.C. sniper, was labeled as a psychopath when he terrorized D.C. for two weeks, taking thirteen victims and killing ten of them. This paper will go over the behaviors that constitute psychopathy, and the behaviors that

In the Movie, American Psycho, Patrick Bateman demonstrate challenges to identify his unique type of personality theories. The purpose of this essay is to review a selected film as a Psychology student, and discuss it from a psychological perspective. Also in this paper providing a diagnosis for a character in the movie and discuss the behaviors that support the selected diagnosis, and to explain and discuss the mental illness depicted in the film.

In any and every society, there is a level of deviance or crime, no matter how big or small. Deviance is when the norms of a society are disregarded, while crime is when there is a defiance of laws within a society. Individuals who are deviant tend to be nonconforming to the society in which they live, challenging social expectations and deviating from what is considered the norm. Meanwhile, crime is a form of deviance that also discards norms, but in a way that breaks the laws of a certain society or community. When looking at deviance and crime in a micro-level perspective, there are three different theories often used to analyze the reasoning for both in a society. These theories include the Differential Association Theory, the Control Theory and the Labeling Theory. In further dissecting these theories, one can gain a greater insight into the workings of society.

Psychopaths have been around for more than a century, and have found themselves to be able to make the public fear them. Belle Gunness, the Zodiac Killer, and John Wayne Gacy are all examples for the character traits compatible with psychopathy and have been able to provide more reason to the research of psychopaths. Statistically, psychopathy is found in three percent of the male population and in one percent of one percent of the female population. A psychopath’s behavior of exploitation, lying, recklessness, and arrogance has been studied to further understand how their brain structure is different in MRI scans and how they are able to use special abilities to catch its victims. Many research studies have been able to provide more information

Deviance is defined as the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior. There are many different forms of deviance in today 's society. Something that is viewed as being deviant in one culture might be seen as normal in another. There are many different types and theories in which define deviance, however their are 3 broad categories, these 3 categories are positivist, relativist, and critical conceptions of deviance. These 3 categories are important in defining deviance because they break down deviance as a whole and better help understand the different acts in which we label as being deviant. Deviance as a whole is important to study especially in today 's society with their

The media’s focus on the highly publicized trials of notorious mass murders, such as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ted Kaczynski has spurred society’s fascination with psychopaths. Hollywood’s consistent production of films portraying psychopaths, like Silence of the Lambs and American Psycho, is illustrative of the public’s removed curiosity with the mad. Psychopathy, a misunderstood behavioral disorder, traverses the fine line between the mentally ill and the evil. Unfortunately, the perceptions established through popular media prejudice our overall ideologies on the mentally ill, specifically those suffering

Within the streamlined boundaries of today’s society, many find amenity in discussing their unrest with those who can lessen it or resolve it completely. Similarly, when the burden is too great, those with apprehensions about their mental state are welcomed into psychiatric facilities designed to rehabilitate their patients to their full potential. Psychopathy is defined by a select grouping of symptoms while the classification of psychopaths has changed substantially over the last 60 years, largely by Dr. Robert Hare. Randle McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’s protagonist displays a combination of psychopathic tendencies and inclinations of those not needing psychiatric care. Within the 1960s definition of a psychopathic individual

A psychopath has the ability to act normal. They have no real emotions, but they have the ability to mimic emotions and thoughts of normal people. They cannot form attachments with others, but they can falsify them. Many psychopaths received a well-rounded education and maintain steady jobs. These tend to be very organized killers.

The movie Psycho was directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960. When Psycho was first released they implemented a rule that no one could come into the movie late, and I guess that was a thing that happened a lot back then. People were just like “I got a few minutes, let me go into this movie, I don’t care if it started.” But they were having none of that with Psycho. Once the movie started the doors were closed, no one was allowed in. In the previews they asked the audience to not divulge any of the secrets of the movie to their friends or family after they see it. And audiences obeyed, they didn’t go out and blabber about it like people do these days. You could not get away with that today, but audiences were cool back then. Because they didn’t let the audience in after the movie started, they didn’t allow critics to watch the movie ahead of time either. The critics had to go with the audiences on opening day to see the movie. They were not happy about that because they were being treated like peasants, like any other viewer. I guess they thought they were better than everybody else, as some critics actually gave them bad reviews basically because they didn’t get a special screening. Even before audiences watched the movie, their psychological needs start to be met as hype and suspense is built with the secrets people need to keep. The suspense is kept up throughout the movie from Marion’s get away and death, to the twist at the end.

I chose the television series American Horror Stories to do my analysis on breaking the norm in television. I chose this series because it breaks all of the norms due to its graphic content. The show is geared for a more mature audience and is rated TV-MA. Programs rated MA are unsuitable for children under seventeen.

When Ronson presents a variety of characters as he delves into the world of psychopaths, he reveals significant details that help not only himself but also audiences to identify psychopathic individuals. Each individual that he emphasizes appears to be one because he gives specific characteristics about them relating to psychopathic behavior. This idea also involves one character that claims he is not as crazy as psychiatrists believe he is which brings an ironic turn to discuss. Ronson’s characterization of psychopathic characters is conveyed through his use of diction, imagery, and language. The three major characters that establish Ronson’s characterization and also parallel these literary aspects include Peter Woodcock, Joseph Fredericks, and Tony. Ronson’s use of this tactic enhances his ability to reason whether an individual is a psychopath.

American Psycho Patrick Bateman is a 26-year-old investment banker, living in the 80's New York. On the surface he's rich, attractive and charming. But behind his successful façade rests a soulless serial killer. When he's not committing murders or having sex, he's worrying about how the world perceives him.

In the novel "American Psycho" written by Bret Easton Ellis, Patrick Bateman 's use of violence and his wealth are exemplified in scenes involving the murder of his ex-girlfriend Bethany. As well as appealing to the idea to maintain an upscale image by any means such as purchasing expensive merchandise and taking the initiative to attend upscale restaurants. His actions with the implications of those elements reveal the consumptions of status and privilege. The detailed narration of Bateman 's intense violent acts and purchases of expensive products creates imaginary and conflict for readers to accept the appearance he is trying to come across to his associates and the general public. This may result in readers rejecting his character and

In the 1998 film American History X, Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for brutally murdering two black men who were breaking into his truck. Through his Brother Danny’s narration of a paper he is writing, it is learned that Derek was the leader of a large Neo-Nazi group known as D.O.C., or Disciples of Christ, that committed many acts of racial crime throughout Los Angeles. During his time in prison Derek decides that hate is a waste of time after being violently raped by fellow white supremacists, and his only friend being a black man, who was only in prison for a misunderstanding. After getting out on parole, Derek learns that Danny is headed down the same racist path as him, and decided that he must put a stop to it. Throughout this film there are many examples of the five theories of deviance; Functional, Conflict, Labeling, Broken Windows, and Differential Association. From Derek’s initial exposure to racism, all the way to him deciding to change, all five theories are exemplified through Derek, Danny, their Father, Cameron, or the D.O.C. as a whole.

They are not famed for their impulsivity, but the calculated, cold, and almost emotionless planning and execution of their crimes. Randy Kraft, a serial killer who murdered 64 people over a twelve-year period, is another subject of heated debate among criminologists. After killing for twelve years, he was only caught when police pulled him over for an illegal lane change and happened to find a dead body in the front seat (McDougal). Killers like Kraft, who killed steadily for a little over a decade and was confident in his actions and collected enough to drive down the interstate with a corpse, and Gacy, who would not only return to work at his contracting company a few hours after a murder, but would invite employees into his crawlspace to dig graves only feet from previous victims (Sullivan et al), show a pattern of planning and judgment, not impulsivity. One may believe that someone who carefully planned and executed his murders could not possibly be lacking in any sort of self-control. However, psychologists have found an explanation for this discrepancy in genetics. While the warrior gene and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex might explain rash behavior, an underdeveloped amydala, the neurological center for emotion, could explain some of these colder, more calculated killings. An individual with an underdeveloped amydala would be lacking in emotion, including joy. Adrian Raine, a leading criminologist, scanned several psychopathic individuals and found that the amydala was significantly shrunken, up to 18% smaller than normal (Raine et al). Their first violent outburst may have been unplanned and provided them with a rush of endorphins, the chemicals responsible for happiness and pleasure. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. admitted that during his first