1.

What are some of the daily responsibilities that are required of a criminal psychologist?
I am uncertain about the daily duties of a criminal psychologist; however, given that the
majority of such psychologists work within agency or institutional settings, I imagine their
daily tasks vary from that of someone working in a clinical setting. Most all psychologists
are schooled in the art and science of testing and assessment. Given this, they most likely
perform these tasks on a regular basis whether directly with a person of interest or
indirectly with profiling and/or assessing individuals through other casework. These tasks
are also likely to require a significant level of documentation and cross referencing. They
likely prepare reports and/or presentation for the other professionals with which they
collaborate.
2. What are the most common disorders that a criminal psychologist deals with?
I am uncertain what the most common disorders are that a criminal psychologist deals with.
Given my clinical background, I would guess that they most often deal with individuals that
deviate from societal norms and/or demonstrate a belief of being above these norms/laws.
Of course, these holdings do not necessarily connotate a mental health diagnosis, but can
extend from those with privilege or greater power than those around them (e.g. white collar
crimes) or those with less (blue collar crimes). If psychopathology is a factor, I would
anticipate that sociopaths (antisocial), narcissists and other “cluster B” personality disorders
(borderline, histrionic personality disorder) are the most common as they possess the very
qualities of being above the law, “above others” (grandiose), “special”, and lack the capacity
for empathy.
3. What are some of the core differences in personalities for individuals suffering from the
following.
a. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Their personalities are distinguished by what their nomenclature suggests – they reflect
a lack of need for other people and often a hatred of people. They lack empathy and
have an associated impoverished morality, making it more likely that they would
disregard the rights and/or value of others and their lives.
b. Narcissism
While often appearing social and highly functional, narcissistic personalities are
distinguished by their apparent and hollow love of self in the face of incredible shame.
As in the Greek myth of Narcissus who falls in love with his own image reflected back to
him in the water’s surface, they are very insecure but project an image that would
suggest otherwise: larger than life, grandiose, highly achieved, vey manipulative etc,
while demeaning of those around them. Also lacking empathy, they prey upon the
vulnerabilities of others, making it more likely that they will violate other individuals for
their own gain.
c. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is not a personality disorder, but a psychotic disorder. Left untreated, it
leaves people suffering from regular and ongoing intrusive phenomena of delusions and
psychotic features. Affected individuals suffer from instability, social
difficulties/estrangement and often, paranoia. Such symptomology can promote more
impulsive, extreme and erratic behavior.
d. Multiple Personalities Disorder
Multiple Personalities Disorder is now referred to as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
and those affected by this condition experience a fractured personality/identity, often
rooted in early childhood trauma. This renders affected individuals with various
“alters”, each representing different dimensions of the person – e.g. the young, fragile
 dimension, the “strong” dimension, the “angry” dimension, etc. The alters may be
aware of one another or deny various other dimensions. They can also be in conflict
with one another. Therefore, an affected individual has difficulty remembering certain
events. At the core, the “self” is splintered off into multiple parts rather than a single
multidimensional self; traumatic experience prevents enough safety and/or stability to
enable a person to have a successful integrative development of identity.

4. What are some of the core similarities in personalities for individuals suffering from the
following.
a. Antisocial Personality Disorder
b. Narcissism
c. Schizophrenia
d. Multiple Personalities Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorders are both considered
personality disorders; it is believed that these conditions may be rooted in early childhood
trauma (like DID) during the formative process of object relations and the construction of
identity. However, unlike DID, these two disorders do not present with various alters. They
can however demonstrate “splitting” which is understood as the mind setting aside
psychological/emotional material that poses a threat to their security; e.g. If a narcissist is
given feedback about their inadequacy, they cannot tolerate this and will “split” any related
material as to make it disappear – blocking it out. While Schizophrenia is the only psychotic
disorder in this grouping, it can share symptomatic delusional beliefs – grandiose, paranoid,
etc that they invest in as real, though imagined. All of these disorders tend to render
antisocial behaviors, rather than pro-social behaviors. They all also share the element of
being poorly integrated personalities, if integrated at all.

5. Out of the disorders listed, which is considered the most dangerous emotionally, and/or
physically? Why?
Of the disorders listed, Narcissism is most highly related to emotional abuse of others
including shaming, gaslighting, manipulation and control, and dismissiveness. Due to the
psychotic features of the disorder, untreated Schizophrenia is more correlated with physical
harm and violence, particularly if combined with substance abuse.