NCJ Number
54293
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS PSYCHIATRISTS FACE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE DETERMINATIONS OF 'DANGEROUSNESS' ARE REVIEWED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IF SOCIETY WISHES TO USE SUCH PREDICTIONS FOR SOCIAL CONTROL, PERSONS BE TRAINED TO DO THE TASK.
Abstract
TO DATE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC FIELDS HAVE NOT CONCERNED THEMSELVES PRIMARILY WITH THE DETERMINATION OF DANGEROUSNESS IN INDIVIDUALS. WHAT LITERATURE IS AVAILABLE ON THE SUBJECT GENERALLY HAS FOCUSED ON THE FACTORS IN A PERSON'S LIFE ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENT OR DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR. HOWEVER, THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PERSONAL FACTORS AND THE ENVIRONMENT OR SITUATION AS THEY RELATE TO DANGEROUSNESS HAS RECEIVED LITTLE ATTENTION. AS A RESULT, PSYCHIATRISTS ARE USUALLY UNABLE TO MAKE ACCURATE PREDICTIONS OF DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR. FOUR CASE STUDIES FROM ALBANY, N.Y., AND A SURVEY OF STUDIES IN THE LITERATURE CONFIRM THIS LACK OF RELIABLE FORECASTING. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE CONCEPTS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND DANGEROUSNESS BECAME LINKED IN THE PUBLIC MIND EARLY IN THE 18TH CENTURY, AND THIS ASSOCIATION IS TRACED EVEN FURTHER BACK TO THE WITCH-HUNTING MANIA IN EUROPE DURING THE 15TH THROUGH THE 17TH CENTURIES. TRADITIONALLY, MENTAL HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCARCERATION AND TREATMENT OF DANGEROUS OFFENDERS AND THE CRIMINALLY INSANE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ACCEPT THIS HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY BY CONDUCTING RESEARCH INTO FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING PERSONS TO MAKE DETERMINATIONS OF DANGEROUSNESS. TABLES PRESENT REASONS FOR DETERMINATIONS OF DANGEROUSNESS AS FOUND IN COURT REPORTS, DATA ON PSYCHIATRIC FINDINGS BY CRIMINAL CHARGE CONTROLLING FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND A SIMILAR COMPARISON WHICH EXAMINES FINDINGS OF DANGEROUSNESS WHILE CONTROLLING FOR CRIMINAL CHARGE. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)