Chapter 3

ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

This is a kind of behaviour that fails to meet the characteristics of a normal person and includes
inabilities in the following areas:

1. Free expression of personality

2. Adequate security feeling
3. Efficient contact with reality
4. Adaptability to group norms
5. Emotional maturity
6. Adequate self- knowledge
7. Integrated and consistent personality

CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY

This is a branch of knowledge that studies various aspects of criminal behaviour. Specifically, it refers
to “study of the mind and its workings in relation to crime.

TYPES OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

Personality Disorder

This kind of disorder originates during the early development process, and leads to maladaptive
behaviour.

Classification of Personality Disorder

1. Passive Aggressive- passively dependent and aggressive due to overindulgence

2. Hysterical Personality Disorder- easily excitable, emotional instability, dramatic need for attention,
immature, tendency to sexualize contacts with the opposite sex
3. Compulsive Personality Disorder- excessive concern for conformity, perfection, and order
4. Paranoid Personality- Hypersensitive, unwarranted suspicion, jealousy, envy, and feelings of
excessive importance

Neuroses/ Psychoneuroses

Are behavioural disorders that are brought about by emotional tension resulting from conflicts,
repression, frustration, or insecurity. Neurotic individuals compromise with reality by developing imaginary
ailments, obsessions, phobias, compulsion, depression or anxiety.

Behavioural characteristics of individuals displaying Neurotic Reactions

1. Inability to function at the normal capacity level

2. Presence of anxiety
3. Rigid or repetitive behaviour
4. Somatic complaints
5. Immaturity
6. Hypersensitivity
7. Egocentricity
 8. Unhappiness
9. A great deal of unconsciously motivated behaviour

Classification of Neuroses According to the most striking symptoms

1. Anxiety Reactions- mainly manifested in consciously experienced feelings of anxiety and

apprehension, for which there are no specific bases in actual life.

Hysteria- an individual manifests one or more symptoms that are often associated with organic
disease. Disabilities that may develop from this disorder include paralysis of the limbs, deafness,
blindness, intense aches and pains, continuous vomiting, loss of voice, and head or hand tremors.

Forms of Hysteria
A. Amnesia- a disorder wherein the individual cannot recall his r her name and remembers little or
nothing about the past in varying levels of intensity.
Types of Amnesia
Anterograde- the inability to retain information, which has just been seen or read.
Retrograde- the inability to recall any event (and details thereof) that took place during a
certain period.
Localized- the inability to recall events and details that are related to a particular situation.
B. Fugue- type of amnesia wherein one wanders away from his or her home or usual surroundings;
often, the person has no recollection as to how he/she came to be there when awareness sets in.

Multiple Personality- a dramatic form of hysteria, in which the patient develops two or more separated
and very distinct personalities.

C. Somnambulism- a dreamlike state in which the person walks about and carries on certain
activities that he eventually fails to remember when he wakes up.

Psychastenia

This is a psychoneurotic condition that is accompanied by a vast range of mental and emotional
symptoms that cannot be controlled. The person is fear ridden by obsessions, compulsion, or unreasonable
dread or phobia. Other symptoms of Psychastenia are unreasonable elation, over inhibition, or constant
depression.

Forms of Psychastenia

A. Phobia- refers to irrational or exaggerated fear of an object, person, act of situation. This characterized
by the following:
 Reasons for the fear do not make sense
 One’s fear paralyzes instead of enhances one’s ability to deal with problem
 The fear seems to be caused by the threat of self- destructive aggressions that may take place
B. Obsession- refers to an idea or series of ideas that recur very frequently that they interfere with the
ability of an individual to think and /or function normally.
C. Compulsion- an irresistible tendency to perform an act or ritual, which an individual feels compelled
to carry out although it is recognized as irrational; a person must perform an act and give in to the
urge in order to reduce the tension.
 Examples:

 Suicidal mania- the impulse to take one’s life

 Homicidal mania- the impulse to kill
 Dipsomania- the impulse to drink liquor
 Megalomania- the impulse to a mass great fame or power
 Kleptomania- the impulse to steal
 Pyromania- the impulse to set things on fire
 Arithmomania- the impulse to count everything

Traumatic Neuroses- these are manifested in situations, in which the individuals fears for his/ her
safety.

Operational Fatigue- otherwise known as war neurosis, this is manifested in response to a battle
environment.

Psychoses

Are serious mental illness that are characterized by unpredictable behaviour. Psychotic persons have a
largely unrealistic interpretation of the self and the life around them. in this case, their ego has lost control
over their personality. In addition, people with psychoses have great mood swings that range from extreme
exaltation to extreme depression. They are also quite and docile at one moment and hyperactive the next.
Owing to such imbalance, they are often socially inept and unable to fit in with the normal society.

Classification of Psychoses

1. Organic/ Somatogenic- due to a wide variety of causes; however, damage or injury to the brain or
other parts of the central nervous system is always involved.
Symptoms of Organic Psychoses
 Emotional instability, which is manifested by general irritability or violent mood swings
without a clear cause.
 Impairment of normal; intellectual functions
 Inappropriate behaviour and changes in general behaviours, including neglect of
responsibilities, lack of interest in personal appearance, and an anti- social tendency.

Types of Organic Psychoses

 Psychoses associated with toxins

 Psychoses associated with infectious disease
 Psychoses associated with old age
 Psychoses associated with head injuries
2. Functional Psychosis- refers to a serious mental disorder involving the total personality with no
observable tissue damage. Hence, with no organic basis, these ailments are believed to result from
years of living under emotional stress. As a severe emotional disorder, functional psychosis is
characterized by personality derangement and complete loss of the ability to function in reality, “but
without evidence that the disorder is related to the physical processes of the brain”.

Forms of Functional Psychosis

 A. Schizophrenic Disorder
Schizophrenia is a psychotic condition that is characterized by one’s withdrawal from reality,
indifference toward daily problems, and the tendency to live in a world of fantasy.

Schizophrenia comes from the Greek words “schizo” (split) and “phrene” (mind); hence the term is
used to describe the fragmented state of mind of people suffering from such a disorder.

Initially Dr. Kraepelin used the term “dementia praecox”. Howvere in 1911, the Swiss psychiatrist,
Eugene Bleuler coined the term “Schizophrenia”.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

 Disorganized patterns of feeling and thinking, where there is no logic or reason in thoughts and
expressed feelings
 Apathy or absence of feelings and emotions in situations that call for such reactions
 Bizarre actions, including absurd and eccentric gestures, or such activities as hoarding, among others
 Shunning others, reclusiveness, or narrowing of interest and social contacts.
 Disorganized speech patterns
 Delusions and Hallucinations (usually auditory)
 Deterioration of conduct and personal habits\

Types of Schizophrenia

1. Simple Schizophrenia- this manifests in a gradual decline of interest and ambition. The person
withdraws from almost all social contacts and becomes increasingly irritable and inattentive.
2. Hebephrenic Schizophrenia- usually begins in early adolescence and develops gradually in time. The
person may be prone to fits of laughter or childish giggling and grimacing for hours without apparent
reasons.
3. Catatonic Schizophrenia- marked by cycles of psychomotor reactions in stupor (partial or complete
loss of consciousness) and excitement phases.
4. Paranoid Schizophrenia- marked by hallucinations and delusions that are illogical and loosely
organized, as well as grandiose and/ or persecutory in nature.

B. Affective Disorder
Affective reactions of manic- depressive psychosis are often characterized by periods of depression or
elation or both. Affective disorders refer to a set of psychiatric diseases, the symptoms for which may
vary depending on each individual. Symptoms typically affect one’s mood, hence affective disorders
are also called mood disorders that can be anywhere from mild to severe.

Types of Affective Disorder

1. Depression- often characterized by feelings of extreme hopelessness and sadness. These episodes may
last anywhere from several days or even weeks. Its symptoms include the following:
 Suicidal thoughts
 Irritability or anxiety
 Prolonged sadness
 Lack of interest in normal activities
 Lethargy and lack of energy
 Major changes in eating and sleeping habits
  Feelings of guilt
 Difficulty concentrating
 Aches and pains that have no physical explanation
2. Bipolar disorder- refers to a state wherein a person experiences alternating periods of depression and
periods of mania, which is the feeling of being extremely positive and active. A person may have
bipolar disorder if he/she has the following symptoms:
 Chronic mood swings
 During depression, symptoms similar to those for major depressive disorder
 During mania, less sleep and feelings of exaggerated self- confidence
 Irritability or aggression
 Impulsiveness and recklessness
 Delusions or hallucinations
3. Anxiety disorder- the different types of anxiety disorders are all characterized by feelings of anxiety,
fear, and nervousness. The symptoms of affective disorders include the following:
 Constant worrying
 Irritability
 Obsessive thoughts
 Restlessness and trouble concentrating
 Trembling, sweating, shortness of breath and rapid heart rate
 Difficulty sleeping
 Nausea

C. Paranoia-
Another type of psychotic reaction, the main symptom of which is characterized by suspicion.

Types of Paranoia

1. Persecutory Paranoia- refers to having delusions of persecution. The person believes that some people
are plotting to harm him/ her in some way.
2. Litigious Paranoia- refers to having delusions of both persecution and grandeur; a person may go to
great lengths to bring alleged persecutors to court.
3. Erotic Paranoia- also called amorous paranoia, this refers to having delusions that a certain person
is in love with him/ her.
4. Exalted Paranoia- having grandiose delusions and believes himself/ herself as someone with great
power or importance, usually a social reformer or religious crusader.
5. Jealous Paranoia- the state of having extreme and irrational jealousy.

D. Anti- Social Personality

A person with an anti- social personality is a mentally- disturbed person who is opposed to the
normal principles upon which society is based.

Characteristics of an Anti- Social Personality

Sociopath- refers to a person who dislikes any sense of social or moral responsibility due to mental illness.
Psychopath- refers to a person with personality disorder that characterized by anti- social behaviour,
indifference to immorality, and abnormal changes in mood or activity. A psychopath is a classic manipulator
or con artist.

Dealing with different Abnormal and Deviant behaviour

Abnormal Behavior Proper handling and Hints

1. Anxiety Reassurance
2. Depressed Put yourself in the shoes of the sufferer; be on the alert for
possible suicide
3. Obsessive- Compulsive Understand that the suffer is disturbed and not crazy; refer
to the appropriate facility
4. Phobia Supportive intervention
5. Psychoses Display of guns force, and restraints should be avoided
unless there is a manifestation of danger to one’s life; send
the patient to a hospital. If he/ she desist, be firm.
6. Psychopathy 1. Review arrest record
2. Recognized con man/ woman’s manipulative
conversation
3. Don’t bluff; he/ she is a master of this and certainly
better than anybody
4. Interview him/ her after knowing every detail of a
case
5. A psychopath can beat lie detectors; he/she is
immune to anxiety unless placed under stress.
6. Be firm and clear.
7. A psychopath may be charming but can also become
very angry and may manipulate others, thus
violating their rights.
7. Drug- dependent Behavior 1. Be patient, but firm- the person is not himself
2. Keep him/her talking to relieve the stress
3. Refer him/her to the appropriate hospital, medical
facility or medical institution.
8. Paranoid Behavior 1. Be understanding; never give the impression that
he/she is crazy.
2. Friendliness and neutrality is usually the best
approach
3. Do not heighten the patient’s anxieties; do not
provoke him/ her or ignite violent reactions.
4. Assure the paranoid patient that your presence is to
help and protect him/her.
5. Do not frighten a paranoid patient with weapon;
he/she may panic and react violently. However, do
not let your guards down. Remember, a paranoid
patient may be suicidal and/ or homicidal.
 Chapter 3
Victimology: An Introduction, Victims and
Victimization

Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the

student will be able to:

 Discuss victimology as a
specialized study of
criminology
 Present the concept of
victims and victimization
 Discuss the various
typologies of victims
 Benjamin Mendelsohn- the Father of Victimology

Victims and Victimization

Victims – are persons who, individually or collectively, have suffered harm- including physical or
mental injury, emotional suffering, financial or economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental
rights, through conducts that are criminalized by national laws or through other behaviours that are not
criminalized by national laws but violate internationally recognized norms of human rights and as such they
are intentionally criminalized (The UN Declaration of Basic principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and
Abuse of Power)

Four Basic principles of Justice for victims of Crime and Abuse of Power

1. Access to justice and fair treatment

2. Restitution
3. Compensation
4. Assistance

Victimization- describes the outcome of crime based on the interaction between the offender & victim. In the
victimological terminology, the phrase “victimizer” continues to be conceptualized to describe this particular
part of crime effect.

Individual Victimization

Collective Victimization

Typologies of Victims

1. Child Victims- refers to those who are subjected to an act prescribed by domestic and international
laws who are below the age of eighteen (18) years. These children are victimized primarily due to to
their childhood or the offender is attracted to them due to their youth. Examples are child abuse and
rape, child trafficking, and the recruitment of child combatants in internal conflicts.
Republic Act no. 9208- Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act
Republic Act no. 9262 The Anti- Violence against Women and their Children Act
2. Female Victims- are those who are victimized by male offenders owing to their gender.
3. Minority Victims- refers to those victims who are targeted by criminals due to the fact that they are victims of a
minority groups.
4. Environmental Victims and Non-human victims- Green Criminology was developed since 1990’s. This refers to
the study of environmental crimes and harms affecting human and non- human life, ecosystems and the
biosphere.
 Chapter 4
Theories of Victimology

Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the

student will be able to:

 Discuss the basic tenets of

major victimology theories;
and
 Present the concept of victim
shaming and how to address
its ill effects.

Larry J. Siegel discusses Four Major Theories of Victimology

1. Victim Precipitation Theory- contends that victims give rise to the criminal events that harm them,
either through victim facilitation or even through victim precipitation
2. Lifestyle Theory- posits that persons with certain demographic profiles are more prone to experience
criminal victimization since their lifestyle expose risky situations.
3. Deviant Place Theory- the more often victims visit dangerous places, the more likely they’ll exposed
to violence and crime. Victims don’t encourage crime but are actually victim prone since they reside in
socially disorganized high crime areas just where they’ve probably the greatest risk of coming into
contact with criminal offenders, regardless of the own behaviour of theirs or perhaps lifestyle.
4. Routine Activities Theory- explains the speed of victimization by way of a set of situations which
reflect the routines of regular individuals. These are the following: First, the accessibility of suitable
targets; Second, the lack of capable guardians, and the three, the presence of inspired offenders.

Victim Blaming, Shaming and Secondary Victimization

Victim Blaming occurs once the victim of any crime or any wrongful act is held partially or entirely at
fault for the harm or damage that befell them. The study of victimology seeks to mitigate the prejudice
against victims, and also the notion that victims are by any means to blame for the activities of offenders.
There is current and historical prejudice against the victims of domestic violence and also sex crimes, like
the higher tendency to blame victims of rape than victims of robbery if victims knew the perpetrators
before the occurrence of the crime.

The term itself was coined and popularized by the psychologist William Ryan in his book with the same
title published in 1971. Ryan stated that blaming the victim had its origins as an ideological justification
on the rampant racism and social injustices perpetrated against the black people primarily in the
southern United States.

Secondary Victimization, on the other hand, results through the response of the victim’s loved ones, the
general public and even by social institutions. This typically happens through victim blaming, when they
tend to cast doubt on the victim’s story, and minimizing the effect of the attack on the victims. Even the
manner by which medical personnel handle the procedure to examine and treat victims may result in
secondary victimization.