Question

The news media sometimes report on psychological disorders accurately. Other times the media may report about psychological disorders in ways that may underemphasize biological influences or reinforce cultural myths.

Locate a media report on a psychological disorder and evaluate the quality of the media coverage. In your answer, compare and contrast the article’s description of the disorder with psychology’s official definition, on areas such as symptoms, duration or course. Then, describe

to what extent the reporter underemphasized biological influences or reinforced cultural myths.

Answer 1

In serial killer cases the media usually portrays them as psychopaths, but this is not correct, not every serial killer is psychopathic, there is a high possibility that a serial killer has no trace of psychopathy, but most people believe that psychopaths kill when this is not necessarily correct.

Although the collective imagination always turns to delinquency and evil when it comes to psychopathy, this personality disorder is more complex than such an association might suggest.

It is a " Personality disorder characterized by a disregard of social obligations, lack of empathy towards others. There is a considerable deviation between behavior and established social norms. Behavior is not easily changed by adverse experiences, including punishments."

Signs of psychopathy can already be observed in childhood, but are classified up to 18 years as Conduct Disorder.