Psychology of the Crime

Psychology of the Crime “Timothy McVeigh” The Oklahoma City Bombing was a very eye opening event in American history. Timothy McVeigh bombed the Federal building, resulting in 168 deaths and many more injuries. Timothy McVeigh meets the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder due to his lack of remorse and thinking of doing justice to the government.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines Narcissistic Personality Disorder as a pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one’s self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one’s gratification, dominance, and ambition. We see all of these traits in Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh decided he would take his frustration out on others, out of anger, to give the country a “wake up call. ” Sadly enough his anger was a devastating shock.

McVeigh had a strong desire to get attention and seek admiration which helped him succeed in his attack. During his interview, McVeigh talked mainly about himself and how he achieved his goal and showed lack of interest in anything else. McVeigh had two partners, Fortie and Nichols, whom he met in the Army. They each played a significant role in carrying out his plan. With his self-importance, he felt like he had to be superior in all of his relationships, including the ones with Nichols and Fortie.

He almost caused both of them to back out, but his controlling personality and the fear that they had of him kept them to carry out their part. With his fantasy about power and influence over the government, he carried out his plan successfully. McVeigh had the typical family a father, mother and two sisters. His mother and father always clashed and eventually got a divorce. He stayed with his father and his sisters went with his mother. He loved his grandfather, who played a constant role in McVeigh’s life.

McVeigh got bullied while he was in high school, receiving the name “noodle McVeigh” which later led to his antisocial behavior. He failed to conform to the social norms of society. Antisocial behavior is defined as chronic antisocial behavioral patterns, such as a failure to conform to social or legal cods, a lack of anxiety and guilt, and irresponsible behaviors. McVeigh stated that the people he killed were just “collateral damage. ” He felt no guilt for his actions or for manipulating his friends. In fact, he was quite proud of his ability to carry out his plan.

In his interview, his lack of concern for those who were hurt by his behaviors was clearly shown. He showed no anxiety during his interview and was quite proud. McVeigh perceived his violations of rules and norms as acts preformed for the greater good. He felt like he was a prisoner in a country that wasn’t his and he never learned from his experience. Timothy McVeigh was angry with the government and acted upon the assumption that federal officers, who lead the raid in Waco Texas, executed seventy six people.

He thought the government was becoming somewhat oppressive in certain ways. He felt that the government overstepped their boundaries and complained that government had too much control over people’s lives. McVeigh in the end got his wish and made sure he was remembered in history, which led to his execution on June 11, 2001. McVeigh’s case actions allow us to wonder if the next insane bomber or betrayer exists within our circle of friends, or in the next person who gets bullied just as McVeigh did.