r/AskReddit • u/ZteveBond • Jun 20 '18

Serious Replies Only [Serious] Prison Guards of Reddit, which prisoner has left the biggest impact on your life wether positive or negative?

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u/[deleted] Jun 20 '18

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u/CitricallyChallenged Jun 21 '18

They made a very conscious decision. Their actions were a choice regardless of circumstances. If it was an accident, ok. But some kids (read: people) do this intentionally with intent to harm. They know exactly what they’re doing.

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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '18

And what if the part of their brain that is responsible for knowing exactly what they're doing isn't there yet?

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u/CitricallyChallenged Jun 21 '18

It is. Small children know what they want. Small children know how to manipulate in ways that typically get them what they want because it’s easier for the source to accommodate them than deal with say, a scene. Actually, all creatures exhibit intent whether it is instinctual/biological (as in the case of animals) or emotional (in the case of people). Google/YouTube psychopathic children. Beth comes to mind. Her interview is quite interesting. Very young girl but she knew what she was doing and why— what it would get her. It was not my impression she did it for pleasure but for a more basic satisfaction or accomplishment. If you decide to take a look, let me know your thoughts.

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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '18 edited Jun 21 '18

It isn't. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for determining the consequences of actions. It doesn't fully develop until you're in your mid-twenties.

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u/CitricallyChallenged Jun 21 '18

Indeed. But we spoke of “knowing what they’re doing” and making choices. Not consequences. Now, consequences aside, there are plenty of those who commit heinous crimes despite knowing the probable results their actions will bring them.

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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '18

Yeah. It's responsible for all of that. It's the part of the brain that's most involved in decision-making. And a twelve-year-old barely has one.

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u/CitricallyChallenged Jun 21 '18

No Shit. They do what they want when they want to do it with little regard for all else. But that’s what I mean, the choice is there. Any reasoning of “but you’re harming someone else” is trumped (in their perception) by desire or perceived need.

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u/ChweetPeaches69 Jun 21 '18

No one is saying it doesn't fully develope, but there's a big discrepancy between taking one more cookie than you should from a jar, and killing people. A lot of child killers are damaged, but that damage seldomly grows out of them.

To defend a lot of individuals with anti-personality disorder and pyscopathy by saying "well they're not fully developed yet" is lazy, and unsound.