Pathology of Lying, Accusation, and Swindling: A Study in Forensic PsychologyHealy, William
Science
Pathology of Lying, Accusation, and Swindling: A Study in Forensic Psychology
Healy, William
Criminal psychology; Swindlers and swindling
The physical examination showed a normally developed girl: weight
108 lbs.; height 5 ft. 3 in. Well shaped head and rather
delicate features. Her teeth showed a defective line in the
enamel near the gums on the incisors and the cuspids. Bites her
finger nails. Slight irregularity of the left pupil. Careful
examination of the eyes in other ways entirely negative. Prompt
reaction of pupils to light. No sensory defect of importance.
Knee jerks active. Heart sounds normal, and all other
examination failed to show defect. Complained of frequent
headaches, but these were not of great severity. After
information from the mother we felt that Libby's feelings of
weakness and tremblings were probably of the hysterical variety.
During the period in which we had Libby under observation she
showed more or less emotional disturbance, but even so we were
able to assure ourselves that her mental ability was fair. We
did not expect good results from formal education because in her
case it had been very irregular. Many of our ability tests,
however, were done well, but she failed where she was asked to
demonstrate good powers of concentration and attention. We noted
that she showed a very eager attitude toward her work, but was
nervous about it. Always pleasant demeanor.
Most significant results were obtained on the ``Aussage'' or
testimony test. After viewing our standard picture she
volunteered only 8 details in free recital. On cross-examination
she gave 21 more, but no less than 7 of these were incorrectly
stated. Then she accepted the 4 suggestions which were given
her. This result from a girl of her age and ability was
exceedingly poor.
We never found any evidence whatever of aberrational mental
conditions. Our final diagnosis was ``fair in mental ability
with poor educational advantages.''
It should be definitely understood in considering this case that
even to the time of our last interview with Libby, after she had
acknowledged her own extensive prevarications, we had evidences
of the unreliability of her word. In giving details she never
made any special effort to tell the truth, whether it was in
regard to the date of her father's death or any other immaterial
detail. We were inclined to classify her as a pathological liar,
as well as a case of pathological false accusation. Her traits
as a liar and a generally difficult case have, we learn, been
maintained during her stay up to the present time in an
institution for delinquent girls.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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