A Piece of my Psych Homework: Why It's Not Guns Or Media, It's Raising Your Kids.

[Bobson]

However, just like every other non-retarded person alive, I retain a moral compass...

Unless I'm mistaken, and I'm pretty sure I'm not, psychopathy is characterized by a lack of a conscience (a moral compass) - maybe not exclusively, but in same cases for certain.

We discussed psychopathy in detail in a Psych class I took a few years back. We studied an example of a young adult who was diagnosed with it. He had murdered his brother with a pitchfork in his teen years, and had adamantly stated in numerous interviews around that time that he didn't understand that it was wrong to do so. He didn't do it out of anger, jealously, or anything else... just killed him for no reason. I don't know the specifics, but it was ultimately determined that he was telling the truth, which lead to his diagnosis.

Point is, I don't think psychopathy is considered a mental retardation. It's probably not incredibly significant, but if you have the opportunity before turning the assignment in, you might want to double-check that, and consider rephrasing it.

ETA:

I'm no psychologist, but I agree with your paper for the most-part. The importance of parenting and establishing proper role-models for kids and teens is grossly under-emphasized in America today.

 

[BigBore44]

Rocket,
The problem with openly admitting to something like that is if you every do have a situation involving the death of another, the attorneys can look at your posts on this forum and argue you have had the thoughts before. Or that you knew you had a "problem" and refused help.

I'm not saying you need help. I'm not saying your a danger. I'm only saying that legally speaking, should something ever happen, it might not be the best idea. And I'm glad that you can be open about it. There's nothing wrong with it. Just not on a forum where there can be documented evidence.

The "what if" game is not one I like to play. But I also don't want someone to play it by accident. Just trying to look out for you bro. I have been there. I've made mistakes. We all have.

 

[Rocketmedic]

Heck, between the military, EMS and membership on "The High Road", any notional liberal attorney would already be salivating to imprison me. The "having a tax-paying job" and "generally votes Conservative" would put them over the top. Being Caucasian, heterosexual and married simply makes any appeals pointless- after all, we are by far the most dangerous people around, right, with our callous regard for laws and safety and our raising children 'correctly'.

 

[GEM]

The OP makes many conjectures that are not supported by the literature.

If this was turned in to a class, the lack of references would be problematic.

For example, the current proponent of media effects is Dr. X but those analyses have been strongly challenged by Dr. Y.

Since I know this - I'm not doing homework for anyone. Go on Goggle Scholar or PsycInfo and search on media and violence for an up to date view.

 

[Sam Cade]

notional liberal attorney would already be salivating to imprison me.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr:banghead:

 

[Sam Cade]

What is the danger in being honest about something?

I am an Aspie- I exhibit many of the hallmarks of Asperger's,

Diagnostic Criteria for 299.80 Asperger's Disorder

(I) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

(A) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(B) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(C) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people, (e.g.. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

It would be a very simple thing for someone to make a case that individuals with these characteristics should never be allowed the usage of weapons...and rightly so.

 

[HJ857]

I've been curious why there isn't much, or any, exploration of how much impact pharmaceuticals are having on kids.

Considering just the laundry list of disclaimers and side effects on TV advertisements for drugs coupled with what seems to be a trend over the past number of years to medicate rather than to parent, a disastrous outcome seems probable.

Just guessing, either this is a concept that the "powers that be" do not want to explore, or maybe have considered and dismissed, or simply it hasn't crossed anyone's mind yet.

I don't know, but it seems a lot more likely cause than say, Xbox. Plus, the huge push to pharmaceuticals seems to correlate well with the time frame starting in the 1990's.

 

[Solo]

I've been curious why there isn't much, or any, exploration of how much impact pharmaceuticals are having on kids.

There is, mostly in academic journals.

 

[Trent]

Coining a new acronym here. IANAH (I am not a headshrinker)

But I did sleep at a holiday inn last night.

Not really.

I DO have 5 children, however, so that makes me somewhat of a subject matter expert.

Boredom. You want to know the truth about why these kids are doing what they are doing... boredom.

You ever sit there late at night, feeling like you want to eat or drink something, but nothing sounds good? You might go to the cabinets, the refrigerator, looking for something. You're not hungry, per se, but you feel that nagging sensation that you want to eat. Then... finding something that you feel you can palate, you find aren't satisfied when you do consume it.

Boredom.

The problem with de-socialization in the modern world is we ever less frequently come in contact and TALK to other human beings, face to face. We talk online, we talk and text on the phone, but many lack that fellowship that brings humans close to one another. I see it with my children from time to time.

My oldest boy, was very secluded, played online games a lot, was a real tempermental buggerboo which had a profound temper and hostility about life in general. It concerned me.

This year, after some careful encouragement... He got involved in Scholastic bowl, bumped to varsity after a few weeks, and the team is now top seed in the State of IL for regionals coming up. He got involved with Track, and suddenly found out that as a sophomore, he is the fastest in his high school at the 200m. He's making friends, he's communicating, he's enjoying himself.

And his grades shot up this year from a long history of C's D's and F's to making honor roll; he's carrying straight A's now and has a large stack of college apps sitting on his desk already. He placed top in his school (and in the 99 percentile of the nation) on iSAT's.

The fundamental change was GETTING HIM INVOLVED WITH SOMETHING.

Something to consider.