Discussion

Describe your views on mental illness and criminal justice prior to this course. Then, reflect back on the textbook, and discuss how your thoughts may have changed. If they did not change, explain why.

Choose one pervasive developmental disorder (mental retardation, autistic disorder, or Asperger's) and one attention-deficit/disruptive behavior disorder (ADHD, CD, or ODD). Compare the two in terms of characteristics and symptoms and how you think this contributes to crime and violence. If you have personal experience or you know someone with one of the aforementioned disorders, explain why this changes your opinion, if at all.

Compare and contrast the symptoms of schizophrenia in terms of its contribution to crime and violence. Pick one of the violent crimes in the chapter, and explain how the symptoms could potentially lead to that crime.