Exam 6: Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior

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Answers should focus on psychopathy, moral development theory, and attachment theory. When discussing psychopathy, a lack of empathy or poverty of affect should be identified as the central defining characteristic of a psychopath. Moral development theory stresses the development of empathy as a key element of Kohlberg's highest stage of moral development and argues that individuals evolving to higher stages of moral reasoning and developing the empathetic ability to appreciate the needs and interests of others are unlikely to commit crimes. Attachment theory sees the development of empathy as the single most important factor leading to conformity.