Written by Content Czar   

 WHAT?! I had to read the title a couple of times.... I'm sharing it with you to read. My first thought was... Extra small condoms says WHAT? Yea, that's a Hannah Montana phrase. I wonder why that popped in my head? Oh, I bet it has something to do with the age of the average viewer for Disney's Hannah Montana show. The sad thing that popped in my head was the realization that grown men will be at stores buying these for a make believe "son" because they don't want to admit that the "extra small" fits better than the average. On the other hand, how many 12 year old boys are going to have enough sense to use a condom if the theory of risky behavior is correct??

Click the link below to go directly to Fox news about this article or read it here. 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587980,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r5:c0.000000:b0:z5

A leading condom manufacturer in Switzerland has created extra-small condoms for boys as young as 12 years old, the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph reported.

The condom, called the Hotshot, was produced after family planning groups and the Swiss AIDS Federation campaigned to have the condoms made following several studies that showed adolescent boys were not using proper protection when engaging in intercourse.

"The result that shocked us concerned young boys who display apparently risky behavior,”

Nancy Bodmer, who headed the research, told the newspaper.

“They have more of a tendency not to protect themselves. They do not have a very developed sexual knowledge. They do not understand the consequences of what they are doing and leave the young girls to take care of the consequences.”

Bodmer said the results of the study suggest that early prevention makes sense.

A spokeswoman for the company, Lamprecht AG, said the United Kingdom would be a “top priority” if they expanded abroad, especially since the U.K. has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in Europe.

A standard condom has a diameter of 2 inches; the Hotshot's is 1.7 inches.

Read more of the original article at the Telegraph.co.uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7361181/Extra-small-condoms-for-12-year-old-boys-go-on-sale-in-Switzerland.html

Written by Content Czar   

The psychology of romantic internet relationships has been debated among friends, media, and even those who have had the experience. In an effort to understand the way people interact via the web and other forms of impersonal forms of communication, I did some investigating.

There are several websites dedicated to claiming that they can find that “special someone” for you. I recently posted an article about the murder of a transgender person that met via the website mocospace.

I understand that in that particular situation the murder was motivated due to the man’s allegation that he believed he was meeting a woman.

When he found out differently, he went into a rage.

I should also mention that the articles I have done involving the missing (and later found deceased) woman (Katherine Waring) in South Carolina was partially motivated by the fact that I knew of the recently indicted Heather Angelica Kamp via the internet. Kamp was more acquainted with a friend of mine who introduced us. I met him via the web and he met her the same way. 

The media will often follow the shocking and bizarre stories of people meeting via the web and the shocking outcome of some of those situations, but I have also known several people that have met using “match.com”, “e Harmony”, and other sites that “find” suitable people for you. In all of those cases, I know of at least two of them who are now married, have a child and seem completely compatible and truly in love.

I decided to do my own research and find out what these sites use to locate your so-called “perfect match.” I chose Yahoo for the simple reason that they offered “free personal ads.”

Since my intention wasn’t to actually meet anyone. As important as thorough research is to a story and valid to any good article or story, I opted for the “free” service. It also seemed unnecessary to pay for something that I can get the answers to for free.

What I found out very quickly was that the process is longer than I expected. I felt like I was filling out a resume for a particular job or possibly an application for a car loan. I am not sure which one.

The first question that you must answer is whether you are legitimately single. You must agree to pursue people for a relationship and not something less than that. I must agree to report anyone that is behaving in a solicitous manner. “Spamming” or promoting any type of “escort service” is not allowed on the site.

Then I had to answer a multitude of questions about myself.

The list included my income range, education, body type, eye color, height, hair color, religious preference, political views, interest in finding a match in distance to the area that I live in and whether I had children and/or wanted more children. I had to give my status as “single,” either “divorced” or “separated.”

The last option puzzled me. I thought that “separated,” meant that legally you are still involved and I felt like that was in the gray area. 

Once I had clicked on the correct options provided. I had to “tell them about me.” I was asked to give as much information as possible.

I wasn’t finished yet, however. Yahoo kept reminding me that “profiles with pictures” get 600 more clicks than someone “without a profile picture.” They gave you 10 possible uploads for photos.

They also stated that the photos should be a true representation of you. Old photos and overly photo-edited pictures weren’t appropriate. “Your perfect match wants to know what you look like now. Photos should only be a few months old.”

Yahoo made it clear that nudity was not acceptable and that pictures should be a variety of what represents you best. An example of “great representation” is through a variety of pictures. Pictures taken of you at work, involved in an activity, pictures with your pet, etc.

Yahoo personals said that the best selections of pictures are those that tell a story about your life and interest. They recommended that you add a caption. They said “a picture is worth a thousand words” and you should help people to determine which one of the words best suits you.

After what seemed like a life long journey into the questionnaires of “who I am” and “what I want”, I was asked to “submit” my profile for review. They said it would be 24 hours before it would be available for other members to see online.

I was asked to click “next.”

Yahoo asked how I would like to PAY for the replies I received on my profile and my ability to respond back. Wait, I thought they said it was free. I laughed to myself when I realized that I could only be “seen and not heard.” I’m guessing that was a man’s idea. I’m teasing so male readers don’t be offended. I could not resist that.

At the end of my experience, I kept imagining that this list of questions could possibly be the future template for parents who want to predetermine their future child.

If it could be genetically manipulated based on gender, eye color, hair color, and intelligence, all the parent would have to do is choose the one they liked best.

Am I overstating the simplicity of “matching personality types” and am I being biased? I can only answer from my own experience as a person answering a questionnaire.

There did seem to be more science involved than romantic intuition. The reason I say that is very simple. If you chose to put down the mileage from your home as 5 miles, 10 miles, but not more than 50+ miles and your “perfect match” is 600 miles away. Well, you just excluded them from your list.

If you said that you wanted a college degree as a “must have” and the person who would have been a “perfect match” didn’t get their degree, then you have excluded them based on your answer.

Yahoo searches based on your criteria and excluded those that you didn’t consider a good match.

After going through the process of “picking out a suitable match,” I decided to give the entire internet relationship idea a closer look.

The psychology aspect of internet dating should be given some consideration. After all psychologists created many of the things, these sites are using to determine suitable matches.

To my surprise, I ended up with more questions than answers.

According to some, the fascinating trend, of internet romance, is a form of dissociative behavior.

The implication that it is dissociative means that there is a “disconnect.” A disconnect in this circumstance would be between what people consider "physical reality" and what they consider "virtual reality.”

This confounded me.

How can so many people be attracted to dating sites and other means of "meeting" others if they aren't considering the behavior as "real".

Evidently, the problem occurs when people are relating to each other. As they begin to share intimate details about themselves, one of two things can occur.

First, they give a "sells" pitch as if interviewing for a job. Second, they are too open and tell all their secrets, sins, past mistakes and it gives them a sense of bonding.

It's only fair to mention that people in general tend to put a positive spin on themselves. People tend to portray themselves in an ideal way instead of being more open about their flaws. I understand this aspect.

If I want to sell my car, I'm going to advertise the benefits of owning the car. I'm going to point out the best features and I'm going to gloss over the dent in the fender. It's the same with job interviews.

If I'm interviewing a potential employee and they come into the office unkempt, poorly dressed and proceed to tell me that they intend to be late to work and never turn their projects in on time. I’m going to say that the interview is over.

I'm going to toss the resume. I need a responsible and reliable employee. I will be looking for the dependable employee and not the slacker. (Even though deep down, I may appreciate them for not wasting my time. I find immediate honesty more refreshing than having to wait to find out that they are unreliable, irresponsible, and undependable. The truth they shared with me the moment I interviewed them.)

So is there a problem with internet romance? Unfortunately, it's the same problem people will find off the internet. The flaws are in human nature and that is what defeats us once again.

People lie, deceive, and trick others for approval, self-gain and just for the fun of it. People who feel inferior will inflate their abilities and show great confidence.

Online people will "speak" boldly. They may use words with less care and caution than if they were facing the person. Looking into someone's eyes has been replaced with a computer screen and the words on them.

People who are more closed off and quiet are often more critical and opinionated. Things that they would typically be too shy to say (in person) are SHOUTED IN ALL CAPS. The person's persona online often varies from what they are in their everyday life.

However, there are those that feel like they aren't "speaking" to someone virtually but they feel like they are making a real bond. They feel a connection based on their own needs and wants. How can that be? How can a computer offer more intimacy than the traditional methods of meeting someone?

I would presume that sometimes people feel so isolated by their circumstances that they feel traditional methods of meeting others isn't an option.

Perhaps, they are seeking a personal connection without judgment based on their appearance, employment, living arrangements, or the car they drive. Basically, they are trying to sell the inside and bypass the things that people deal with on an everyday basis.

In these situations-- internet romance is a way for them to expose the truth about their lives. Maybe they are recently divorced and going out into the world to find someone else seems too far out of reach at the moment?

Perhaps it's a single mom who had a baby or a mom with more than one young child? Children often limit the amount of time adults have for each other and that isn't limited to single parents. A married couple with children can tell you from experience that children often change the routine.

Schedules change once the children come along and those "adult activities" are quickly limited to when the kids are asleep or a baby sitter can be located. So perhaps, there is a select group of people that find the internet to be a place that romance could and would be found if they looked hard enough?

I asked a friend of mine who is actively seeking companionship through the internet what the appeal is.

She said, "I'm looking for someone who likes me as a person." I had to dig deeper and ask her about the alternative. Meeting someone, first and then letting them discover her wonderful personality and the things that make her unique. She was very candid with me. She said what thousands of other women say. They say it to themselves or to their best friend.

She said, "What if he thinks I'm not attractive on the outside?"

She's an extremely attractive woman. She's smart and has a nurturing and fun personality. I was stunned. I have often thought of women and men who use internet dating (as the only alternative) because of a lack of physically attractive attributes, limited connection to the outside world and several other obscure reasons as I mentioned previously.

That was my misguided biased opinion and it was wrong.

I've learned from several friends who said they prefer "internet romance" to the alternative.

The alternative is meeting someone in person first. They all said that revealing the truth about them online is more appealing than doing it to someone's face. I went back to my friend and asked her.

She said, "What if they don't approve of something I say? What if they look at me like I'm crazy?" Something about that made me feel like self-esteem was at the heart-of-the-matter. Then I remembered the dates I had with the first person I had fallen in love with.

I was completely smitten, but I was also nervous. I felt like I was standing out on that proverbial limb and that if I took the plunge I might be taking it alone. It scared me.

I concluded that insecurities are prevalent in the beginning of any relationship. It doesn't matter how or where it started. It's a frightening feeling to be scrutinize and judged when you want someone in particular to approve of you.

However, this is where the issue of insecurity should be mentioned. There are levels of insecurity. There is the issue of being insecure and dealing with it. Then there is the level of insecurity that reaches the point of hiding behind the walls of your home.

Then there are those that would rather lie or invent a "better version" of them than allow others to see the "real" person.

For example, I'm insecure about my height and my figure. I'm a 5'3 Shorty. But I have a medium size frame. In my opinion that just isn't fair. That means instead of being "petite" I'm always going to look like I have "meat on my bones". I believe that's the expression that someone used to describe me.

I won't raise my hand for a bikini contest, but I wouldn't let it stop me from going to the beach in a cute one piece swimsuit that enhances my assets and down plays my flaws. People have levels of insecurities about thousands of things! I've heard someone say, "I hate my laugh."

What matters is how you deal with your insecurities. If I avoided the world and hid behind this computer with the screen name "tall-and-skinny" and in the "about me" section, I say that I'm very tall, very thin, very petite and so on, I'm not just lying about myself. I'm creating an imagine for someone else.

Does it hurt anyone if I'm not those things? Perhaps, it does if I'm attempting a romantic relationship online. It would be fall into the category of deception. Why would it be deception?

Because you created something that wasn't real and shared it with others as fact. A better version of yourself is fine if you are attempting to improve on it as you go and you share that part as well.

However, a better version of you without any effort is just a lie wrapped in a string of words when it comes to online and offline relationships.

Online romances are intriguing because of the unique aspect of not "knowing" the person you are attempting to create a bond.

People who are deeply insecure will look for love even though they may have created an alternate online identity.

As an example, if a man feels inadequate, unaccomplished, and insecure, he may claim that he is successful, confident and takes great pride in boasting about his "imagined" accomplishments.

In reality, he is a 40 years old, part-time employee with no dreams of a better future and no dreams of future possibilities. He may be living in his mom's basement and a closet alcoholic with a history of Driving under the Influence.

He can rationalize that his "online persona" is harmless because "They don't know me.” He can continue to hide behind lies to make him seem like a successful and happy person to virtual strangers.

He may be able to convince people on the internet that he's a wealthy, successful person and lives a lavish lifestyle, but what happens when he has thoroughly convinced someone that he is this made up character?

What if he continues to keep lying and makes plans on meeting the female he thinks is a great match for him?

What if she has been open and honest and feels like she knows him very well? Perhaps she thinks this person knows her better than anyone and truly likes her personality.

It seems like a recipe for disaster. Who gets hurt the most in a situation like that? Is it the person that is so deeply insecure about who they really are that they can’t be happy without creating something more exciting? Is it the person who has given more answers that are honest and yet finds herself in a situation that wasn’t “real.”

There are two distinct ways of looking at it.

One feels like, “They don't know me." so it's okay to embellish and the other feels like they have confided everything and therefore the person, "Knows me better than anyone."

Both of them are attempting to find someone who will like and accept them. Both of them want to reveal themselves in some capacity without feeling like there are consequences.

How are bonds created from words on a computer screen or cell phone? When you read a message or write a message do you use your own internal voice as you go? Most people do.

This adds an element of intimacy. In some situations, a man receiving a message from a female may attribute a female's voice to the female writing them. This also creates a feeling of familiarity and comfort.

Another way for people to feel close and more personal in internet chatting are terms that aren't physically possible, but people use the expressions anyway.

"See you later.”

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Seeing implies sight and hearing implies listening. Neither one of those sayings are mentioned as impossible because it takes away from the intimacy.

People often feel a connection to someone else based off their own beliefs, bias, likes, dislikes, personality traits, sense of humor and the list goes on. People have a tendency to assign personality traits to the other person as well.

They may view the persons online personality as being something they seek in their own lives.

A sense of humor, a sense of adventure, witty banter and a healthy sprinkling of "lol's" are often interpreted as general happiness and likability.

Who doesn't like being around a happy person instead of a sad person?

However, if the person isn't actually smiling or laughing the person reading it doesn't know the difference. They can only imagine it. The more in agreement a person is with someone the stronger the bond.

The stronger the bond is the closer the intimacy. Things become complicated in our world of "online vs. offline” when one of them is in a relationship in the "real world.”

There are terms for this type of relationship. "Online affairs" are considered "emotional affairs" because unless the people have met it's not as much about sex as it is the emotional connection.

Oddly enough (or perhaps not so odd) a person who has been betrayed in this way, describe it the same way as a person who had it happen offline. Perhaps it’s because the internet relationship can delve into the emotional aspects of "love.”

The trust is broken when you doubt your partners intentions, actions, and words. People who are cheated on “offline” feel like there is someone intruding on the emotional and physical bond, fondness, attachment, and love that make a relationship healthy.

After an "online affair" is revealed, the partner describes resentment, suspicion, and jealousy. The same emotions attributed to a person who has gone through the "physical reality" of it.

This is a betrayal to the bond that a couple shares. A partner who “cheated” and took another lover is similar to the emotional betrayal of “online affairs.”

This worst part of this investigation has been that I have found nothing conclusive in either direction. Whether, romantic internet relationships work or if they only contribute to more problems are still open to debate.

There are success stories and horror stories on both sides. I suppose the bottom line to any relationship no matter what type it is... is honesty.

How honest are they being with you and how can you know? How honest are you being with the other person? If your intentions are to find that “perfect match” and you are serious about seeking them via the internet. It appears to be a personal choice based solely on the discretion of the individual who is looking.

The most important aspect to consider when you use the internet as a mode of creating relationships is the trust factor. However, that can be said about the internet as easily as it can be said about meeting someone offline.

How many men or women met offline and found out that their partner was not what they expected after all? How many relationships end because they are not compatible?

While the psychology of internet romance is still debatable and the conclusion of whether it works better than the traditional methods is undecided. It can be said that the person seeking love, romance, and passion online has the same odds as those who seek it offline. Love and romance is going to elude some people and happen instantly for others.

The best I can offer to people looking for love, whether it is online or offline is my wish of luck and fortune in finding what you seek. Perhaps you will get lucky in love and find your perfect match via the internet.  

However, for those of you have tried the internet and it worked out disadvantageously for you I send you my sincerest condolences.

In the end, it doesn’t seem to matter how or where you find the person that you mistakenly thought was your “knight in shining armor.” Especially when it turns out that, they are actually at the bottom of the proverbial barrel and wrapped in tin foil. The same can be said for the men who didn’t find the princess of their dreams, but instead found a wicked witch whose sole purpose seems to be feeding men to their egos.

No matter how you dice it, true love and intimacy are priceless. It’s one of the human races most basic desires. The desire to be loved, accepted, and shown affection will always exist, but caution can never be under rated especially in matters of the heart.

Written by Content Czar   

 

 

On February 2, 2010, Heather Kamp was indicted for murder by a grand jury in Charleston, SC. Her boyfriend Ethan C. Mack was also indicted based on witnesses that came forward with information according to the Post and Courier. Due to the indictments, the gag order was lifted.

 

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/feb/03/2-indicted-on-murder-charges/

 

Mack's attorney filed a motion in November seeking to split his trial from Kamp's, alleging that she had made incriminating statements against herself and Mack.

The incriminating statements are unknown at this time. However, due to Kamp’s history and other accusations made against her. Judge Thomas Hughston ordered Kamp to submit to an evaluation by the state Department of Mental Health to determine whether she is competent to stand trial.

The judge's order states that Kamp "has a history of mental health issues" that could affect her competency and ability to assist in her own defense. Her court file does not contain the results of that evaluation.

The witnesses who came forth are still unnamed, but had compelling stories implicating them both for the homicide of Waring.

 

Kate Waring went missing June 12, 2009, (exactly 8 months ago today) the last place she was seen was at the Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse in Charleston, SC and later her skeletal remains were found by private investigators on Wadmalaw Island in SC on October 10, 2009.

 

Although no cause of death has been determined, witnesses have convinced authorities that Waring's death was a homicide, 9^th Circuit Solicitor Scarlet Wilson said.

 

 

"the death was a "slow process" that took time, involving multiple means of assault. Waring was reportedly conscious and aware of most of what was happening. Wilson also said the "overwhelming" motive in the case would be financial gain, but "other threads" played a role, including jealousy on Kamp's part."

 

Shortly before Tuesday's news conference, a third suspect in the case, Terry Keith Williams, 31, of James Island, appeared before Magistrate James Gosnell, who reduced his bail on obstruction charges from $200,000 to $20,000, court records show. Prosecutors consented to the move.

Williams will be under house arrest upon his release and must report to his probation officer weekly.

A police affidavit stated that Williams is accused of helping to move Waring's body and then lying to police about how he ended up with her iPod. A witness told police that Williams received the iPod for helping Mack move her body, the affidavit stated.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.660766,-80.011368&spn=0.256086,0.441513&z=11&layer=t&lci=com.panoramio.all

The belief is that “the slow process” would have put Waring’s death on June 13, 2009. Because the body had to be moved, it is easy to speculate that the murder occurred in a place was likely familiar to the accused killers. A place that was private enough to keep them from being caught while committing these “multiple means of assault”.

 

Authorities allege that both suspects gave false statements about events on the night Waring was last seen, and that they forged checks drawn on Waring's account.

Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said investigators know of three checks the pair allegedly tried to cash after Waring's death, including one for $4,500.

Wilson would not discuss the witnesses or the specifics of what they told authorities. She did say no deals had been cut in return for their testimony.

After all these months of uncertainty it can be said that there were many sighs of relief when any type of indictment came forth.

 

The lifting of the gag order gave the public and media the chance to find new pieces of information and it was long overdue.

 

There are a few points that can be made with a charge of this type. Mainly, if a murder is committed and there were “multiple means of assault” there must be some type of DNA evidence that can be found.

 

A DNA trail can prove or disprove where a crime was committed. Readmore Mobile

 

Because some DNA evidence can be destroyed, it does not mean that all traces will be completely erased.

In regards to Heather Kamp’s mental state, the question of “competency” in legal terms requires an evaluation that establishes whether or not a person is capable of three things.

 

The first of the three is whether or not the person can UNDERSTAND or DENY the charges they are charged with.

They must be able to report the FACTS regarding their behavior in the crime.

 

The second answer that must be answered is whether or not the person can COOPERATE with his or her lawyer and ASSIST in their own defense.

 

Finally, the third answer is whether or not the defendant can UNDERSTAND COURT PROCEEDINGS

 

IF they cannot perform ANY of these things, they can be found incompetent to stand trial.

 

In our justice system, a person found incompetent cannot be put on trial. That does not mean they open the doors and say, “Good Luck.” It will likely mean being committed to a Mental Institution until they can stand trial.

 

If there is no progress, they can be held for much longer than simple “treatment.” The treatment may be for a short time and it is for purpose of getting them prepared to stand trial or it could be that they are too ill to go before a jury and a new hearing will be recommended. In these situations, they will become patients for an unspecified amount of time until determined by a judge.

 

 

People in general are known for over simplifying things. Most people feel comfortable stereotyping because it gives order to things they can understand. To put people in categories like; “good”, “bad”, “evil”, “crazy”, “nice” etc. It gives others the sense of order they need to feel comfortable with the things around them. It makes the world seem smaller and easier to manage.

 

When crimes are committed, it isn’t uncommon for people to want to know their motivation and to know what is wrong with that person. Using the word “Wrong” is translated into, “What IS their major malfunction?” And if they walk among us, are there others that we should be watching more closely?

 

 

Considering all of the psychological terms that have been mentioned in connection to Heather Kamp, a few of them are worth a closer look. Terms for disorders used in the correct way can help identify people with mental illness.

 

However, there are other terms such as the word, “crazy.” That does not meet a psychological standard. The word “crazy” has a universal meaning for the general public. The word “insane” is the same way. In a nonprofessional’s term this may be a more comfortable word for the general public to use, but it over simplifies something that requires deeper thought.

 

Heather Kamp has been called a Pathological Liar. What is the exact definition of this word and is a clinical term? http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5398761_pathological-liar-symptoms.html

 

You may be surprised to know that the term "Pathological Liar" is not in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. That means it is NOT actually a mental diagnosis, but rather a term to describe a person behavioral traits. There are types of liars. For example, there are “compulsive liars” also known as habitual liars. These types of liars are known for lying about every little thing and the lies are typically pointless. The difference is the reason they lie. A compulsive liar has no motivation or gain for lying. It is just something they do for no apparent reason.

 

The pathological liar on the other hand is a completely different “breed.” They lie for reasons. They lie to get ahead, to manipulate, to gain respect, to deceive for personal gain. They WILL lie without regard for other people's needs or feelings, many times sacrificing their friends and family members for their own good.

 

They may become aggressive when cornered and confronted about their lies, and often respond defensively to intense questioning. They can become angry and even violent.

 

It is often difficult to identify pathological liars at a first meeting, but the symptoms become clear once you get to know them. Most pathological liars have a narcissistic attitude. They will lie even when the lies are transparent and they will stick to their lies even when they are confronted with evidence of their treachery. Often their lies will be dramatic and unbelievable but they will continue the lie.

 

Not only do Pathological liars have detrimental effects on their own immediate circle of family, friends, and colleagues, they will also bring harm to anyone they come in contact with. Their lies are self-serving so they are most likely to bring other people down with them, particularly if they are caught in a serious lie.

 

They are more likely to blame someone else for a situation than to take responsibility.

 

It is important to realize whom you are dealing with. You cannot trust a pathological liar to tell you the truth about anything. It should be known that they have no loyalty and their lies will incorporate anyone or anything around them.

 

I suggest you Google or Yahoo the term for more definitions, just as I have. I also donated several days to reading several books on psychology. The library is full of simple to read “starter” books that can help get you more acquainted with basic psychologically. If you have a true passion for learning new things, I suggest you try one of them.

 

Other terms that have been used to define Heather Kamp’s traits are “psychotic” and “bipolar.” It should be noted that pathological liars usually have other major mental disorders and that the pathological lying is just one of many of their other traits.

 

The most commonly observed disorders with criminal tendencies are the Psychopaths. Not all psychopaths are criminals; however, they have the highest convictions of all the other major mental disorders.

 

Because psychopaths have so many definitions, I am going to use Robert Hare’s comprehensive list that outlines the most common traits of a psychopath. I should also mention that psychopaths have the most diverse convictions in all types of crimes. The crimes linked to them include kidnapping, arson, tax evasion, murder, forgery, and fraud.

These are only a few of the things they are capable of and this is not a complete list.

 

 

 

Hare’s list for common traits of a psychopath includes: 

 

• Superficial charm
• Callousness
• Lack of empathy
• Parasitic lifestyles (living off others)
• Prone to boredom (a need for stimulation)
• Poor behavior control
• Pathological lying
• Promiscuous sexual behavior
• Manipulation
• Conning
• Early behavior problems
• Lack of remorse
• Lack of guilt
• Failure to accept personal responsibility
• Shallow emotions (no true deep feelings for anyone or anything)
• Lack of realistic goals
• Impulsivity
• Irresponsibility
• Criminal versatility

 

 

There are two major “hallmarks” for the psychopath and they are their ability to be smooth in presentation and charm.

They are not usually embarrassed easily and they have a tendency to be calm in social settings. They often come across as being full of themselves because of their grandiosity and they see others as inferior.

 

They will often brag about how much smarter, better looking and more talented than others. Their egos lead them to believe that they are better at most things compared to others.

 

That view of the world, themselves, and other is what makes them see others as easy prey. They will cheat and manipulate to get whatever it is that they want. Psychopaths carry out these behaviors with no empathy or sympathy for the person that they are doing wrong.

 

Psychopaths do not feel remorseful or guilty. They find ways around it internally by not seeing it as harmful or because it is necessary to their greater good. They do not feel as though they have to answer for their actions.

 

They often view things as if the victim had not been weak they would not have been a victim at all. (Survival of the fittest mentality) However, psychopaths are not oblivious to what society expects from them. They may not feel remorse, but they are very capable of faking emotions.

 

They are skillful at manipulating others into believing them.

 

They are known for their ability to con and they are skilled at deception. They are extremely ruthless and capable of an unlimited number of crimes.

 

Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)

 

Bipolar disorder is generally recognized as a disorder of severe mood swings involving both depression and mania. Mania is a state of excessively elevated or irritable mood lasting for approximately one week and co-occurring with the following symptoms:

 

·        Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity

 

·        Decreased need for sleep

 

·        Extreme need to talk

 

·        Racing thoughts

 

·        Short attention span

 

·        Drastically increased activity level

 

·        Excessive engagement in activities involving pleasurable activities that have the potential to harm them

 

 

Someone showing signs of these symptoms aren’t bipolar for just one or two of these symptoms. Separately they can indicate other conditions or nothing at all.

 

We can find ourselves relating to one of them at least once in our life. Who hasn’t felt the need for decreased sleep at least once? The difference is that these symptoms have occurred together more than once in a persons life and it is the combination of severe depression with the mania that separates it from other illnesses. It is primarily a mood related disorder.

 

Some people theorize that the mania comes from the brain’s need to escape the severe depression. This problem is that someone in the Mania phase often get in a lot of trouble. Financially they can accumulate massive amounts of debt because of their inability to regulate their spending or ability to rationalize. They are also more prone to broken relationships, criminal and illegal activities during this phase. They are at risk during times of mania.

 

Bipolar disorder is often described as being on a roller coaster of extreme emotion. They feel happiness and sadness beyond the proportion of what would be expected of someone who does not have this disorder.

 

They may laugh when they hear a loved one dies or cry when a commercial comes on TV. They may become irrationally angry about something that others see as slight and inconvenient.

 

 

There are several things to consider when dealing with the psychology of a person who has committed a crime. Were they in a temporary state of irrational behavior? Did the behavior exhibited during a crime define their everyday behavior or was it uncharacteristic of them? In legal terms this is consider “temporary insanity.” It isn’t a medical definition, but it is a term for some legal “wiggle” room in defense cases.

 

Whatever the evaluation about Heather Kamp reveals, it is important to remember that certain illnesses can be treated with medication and therapy. Unfortunately, for Kate Waring there will be no such opportunities. This is where the law will separate the mental illness from the crime. If it were only forgery or obstruction, perhaps there would be some leniency or provisions for psychological disturbance. However, the responsibility of the law mandates that justice be served for the victim. Whatever Heather Kamp’s alleged part in the crime is, it is unclear whether or not she is even competent to stand trial until the evaluation is revealed. 

Written by Mona   

In April 2009, Allen Ray Andrade, 31, of Colorado was convicted of First Degree murder with no chance of parole after being convicted of the murder of Justin "Angie" Zapata. The court also deemed the murder as a "hate crime" based on the facts of the case. Other charges were added to the case and he was found guilty of those things as well.

Allen R. Andrade Andrade was arrested in the Denver suburb of Thornton, where he lives. Police responding to a noise complaint found him in Zapata's 2003 PT Cruiser, which had been missing. After more investigating Andrade told authorities that he met a young woman named Angie Zapata (in the picture posted on the left) on a social website called mocospace.com. He said that he and Zapata had exchanged several messages and shared photos of each other.

Mocospace is a social community that is comparable to "myspace" for cell phone users. It has individual pages and the ability to post picture, create backgrounds, chat with other members and leave comments on a friend's page. It's ability to bring together people through the use of a cell phone is not completely unique.

There are other sites that have been created for the same purpose. However, mocospace is increasing it's reaches into other areas to draw a larger group of interested users. Using the the cell phone for the web is easy to do if your cell phone plan has a data plan added. Once you create your account you can be just about anyone that you want to be and some people find that to be completely acceptable.

 

The chance meeting of Angie Zapata and Allen Andrade came to a gruesome end on July 17, 2008.  Andrade told authorities that he and Angie agreed to get together after exchanging contact over several days, according to an arrest affidavit released by Greeley police. The two met July 15 and spent the day together.

Andrade told investigators that Zapata performed oral sex on him but wouldn't let him touch her, according to the affidavit.

He said he also spent the night at Zapata's apartment, but in separate beds. The next day, Zapata left Andrade alone in her apartment, and Andrade noticed several photographs that led him to question Zapata's gender.

Andrade confronted Zapata when she got back. Zapata answered: "I am all woman."

He grabbed Zapata's crotch area, felt male genitalia and became angry, the affidavit states. He took a fire extinguisher off a shelf and struck Zapata twice in the head, telling investigators he thought he "killed it." "It" was not dead however, Andrade told investigators. Andrade said he covered Zapata with a blanket and started gathering evidence he thought might link him to the crime when he heard gurgling sounds and noticed Zapata was sitting up. That's when he picked up the fire extinguisher and hit her again, police said. He left the scene in her sister's PT cruiser.

Justin's body was bloodied and battered. A gruesome sight according to investigators.

He admitted that he felt deceived and tricked. He said his reaction was unplanned and out of rage. He disagreed that it was a hate crime although he continued to refer to Justin as an "it". The public defender in his case said that Andrade was tricked. The defender went on to say that Andrade had not solicited a man and that he truely thought he was meeting a woman. When he found out differently -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/us/23transgend.html

 

 

 

 "Angie, she was a fun-loving young woman who was taken from us far too early," said Crystal Middlestadt, director of training and education for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. Middlestadt is working with Zapata's family.

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program condemned the crime as possibly motivated by an anti-transgender bias.

Zapata's sister, Monica, was quoted in a press release from the Colorado Anti-Violence Program as saying,

"We want to let everyone be aware that all she wanted was to be beautiful. We want this violence to end. Transgender people deserve to be treated with respect."