In Session with “The Silence of the Lambs” with Dr. Adam

Serial killer –  someone who commits a series of murders, often with a period of time between murders and committed upon unknown victims

Severe mental illness  –  a mental disorder characterized by serious impairment that interferes with multiple life domains; examples may include schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders or severe forms of other mental disorders

Forensic psychology  –  the intersection between psychology and the law; the practice of applying the science of professional psychology to matters of the legal system

Incompetent to Stand Trial  –  refers to the state of mind of the defendant during criminal proceedings (not at the time of the crime); when a defendant is unable to understand the charges brought against them or coordinate with their attorney to establish a defense

Insanity  –  legal finding (not a psychological term or diagnosis)

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity –  a legal defense made when a defendant was either unable to understand what they were doing at the time of a crime or unable to differentiate between right and wrong at the time of the crime

Psychopathy  –  personality traits that are consistent across time and settings characterized by deficits in interpersonal and emotional facets of life and antisocial behavior

Glib –  superficially charming

Grandiose sense of self –  unrealistic feeling a sense of superiority

“Successful psychopath” –  an individual who has psychopathic traits and is able to avoid antisocial or criminal behavior

“Fledgling psychopaths” – a term used to describe a child with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and behavior problems that are hypothesized to predict psychopathic traits

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) –  one of the gold standard measures used to assess psychopathy

Motivational interviewing –  a counseling approach centered on eliciting behavior change by addressing ambivalence and insecurity