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
There is not much to be said about the physical examination; it
was negative in most respects. She is of rather slight type;
weight 110 lbs., height 5 ft. 1 in. Delicate features of mature
type. Expression intelligent and decidedly refined for her
social class. Gynecological examination made by a specialist
revealed nothing abnormal and no evidence of immorality.
Menstruation said to have taken place at 13 years and to be
regular and not difficult.
In studying Gertrude's mental powers we gave a considerable range
of tests and found her to be well up to the ordinary in ability.
She showed no remarkable ability in any direction, but gave an
almost uniformly good performance on tests. Concerning her other
mental traits and especially her range of information and reading
more will be said later. No signs of aberration were discovered
by any one.
The record on the ``Aussage'' picture test is as follows: She
gave 16 items on free recital with considerable reference to
functional details and with side comments as to who the little
girl might be, and what the dog wanted, and so on. So far, this
was the performance of a rational, quick-minded person. On
questioning, 28 more items were added, but no less than 12 of
these were incorrect--she evidently supplied freely from her
imagination. Of the 7 suggestions which were offered she took 5.
Twice not only was the main suggestion accepted, but imaginary
details were added. Naturally, this is a very unusual record
from a normal person.
There is absolutely nothing of significance in the heredity,
according to the accounts received by us. All the grandparents
are still alive in the old country. They are small townspeople
of good reputation. Epilepsy, insanity, and feeblemindedness are
stoutly denied and are probably absent in near relatives. The
father is a staunch citizen who feels keenly the disgrace of the
present situation. He is a hard working clerk. We early learned
the mother was not to be relied upon. Our best evidence of this
came from Gertrude. She told us she had always been accustomed
to hearing lies in her own household. According to the father
his wife's falsifications are merely to shield the children and
she only shows the ordinary deceit of woman. We have no history
of this woman ever having indulged in elaborate fabrications and,
in general, she is of thoroughly good reputation. In delicacy of
feature the girl is her mother over again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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