Starting fires, torturing animals and bed-wetting

[cthulu2016]

Last edited Tue Jan 29, 2013, 07:26 PM - Edit history (1)

Said to be the big three common childhood traits of psychopaths.

On EDIT: I am informed in a reply here with wiki link that this oft-described relationship does not exist. If that is the case, I accept that. But I'll leave the comments about moral consistancy and children here for what they are.

Torturing animals speaks for itself. Starting fires is in the ballpark.

I doubt, however, that there is a genetic link in bed-wetting and sociopathy. And bed-wetting is, as a single trait, not much of a warning sign (!)

I do, however, believe that if a child is already disposed to defective character/personality development and is shamed/blamed/punished for something that is absolutely not his fault nor within his control it probably helps deform the sense of right and wrong, as it applies to him.

Parents have a high obligation to be rational and consistent... to create a reliable moral space that makes sense.

Just a thought.

[abelenkpe]

1. shaming children

or humiliating them is never a good idea.

[cthulu2016]

3. As you might have guessed, the post about

the kid with the "I am a bully" sign made me think of this.

[Deep13]

2. Bed-wetting is not the cause, ...

...so even if parents somehow cure it, it will not prevent psychopathia. Rather whatever causes the personality disorder also causes the bed-wetting. I think matters of control underlie all three traits.

[etherealtruth]

4. From what I can gather it is not bed wetting in isolation that is a symptom

... but bed-wetting that co-exists with the other prominent symptoms such as animal torture, fire starting ...etc .... but what do I know?

[cthulu2016]

5. Agreed. I had meant to imply that in the OP.

bed-wetting is, as a single trait, not a warning sign

[etherealtruth]

6. You probably did ... I can be obtuse

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. ...

The idea that bedwetting has anything to do with psychological maladjustment, and certainly with later antisocial or violent tendencies, or plays some part in a triad of predictors, has been described as a destructive myth entirely discredited. Crime researchers acknowledge that it is not linked with later sociopathic behavior. It is not even clear that it is necessarily associated with distress.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macdonald_triad

[cthulu2016]

9. Good to know. Thank you.

I do learn things here.

[surrealAmerican]

8. Let's not kid ourselves here.

Shaming, blaming, and punishing kids for things that are not within their control can cause problems for any child - not necessarily psychopathy, but depression or anxiety - even in children without some sort of predisposition.

[auntsue]

10. You don't teach empathy by

shaming a kid who bullied. Role play, talk therapy, modeling positive behavior............work much better. Sheesh !!!