Dr. Barnes (Psychologist) : Hello Trevor, I am Dr. Barnes. I specialize in youth criminals from the middle to upper class and I am here to ask you a few questions.

T: Well I’m not either of those now am I?

Dr.B: No… no I guess you are not. I am sure you know why you are here?

T: Yes.

Dr.B: Excellent I have spoken with the other boys you “worked” with, all of whom cooperated fully and whose accounts of what happened I shall be basing my questions on. Are you ready to begin?

T: I suppose so.

Dr.B: Very well then. The other boys spoke of how you had asked Mr. Thomas for a tour of his house. Upon the completion  of which you went back to your “gang” and told them of it’s beauty and that you knew it was built by Wren. With such an understanding of the house’s beauty, its historical significance  and what it meant to its owner why did you chose to suggest its destruction?

T: Well, it was only a house Dr. Barnes, there are plenty of them as I am sure you know. Besides, Old Misery came to no harm and the house came down cleanly. The house was nice, but not all things that  are nice last.

Dr.B: So why is it that you felt it was your responsibility to ensure this particular “nicety” did not last?

T: I felt like it…and no body stopped me.

Dr.B: Mhm.. (writes down notes). Your friend Blackie he…

T: Isn’t my friend. I don’t have friends.

Dr.B: Ok. The boy called Blackie. He told me that you had found Mr.Thomas’ personal savings of about 150 quid. He also told me that rather than keep it for yourself or share it with your “gang” you told Blackie it would be a celebration for the two of you to burn the notes one by one. Does that not seem odd considering 150 quid could go a long way in helping your family or the families of the boys you were with?

T: But taking the money would have been stealing. I am not a thief Dr. Barnes.

Dr.B: No of course not. Blackie mentioned that when he asked you if you hated Mr. Thomas you said of course you didn’t and that it would be no fun destroying his house if you did. You told him that love and hate are “hooey” and that there are only things. What made you say that?

T: Because that is how I feel. It would be childish to hate Mr. Thomas.  He has never wronged me. If I did truly hate him I wouldn’t do something as minor as pull down his house. Kids don’t smash windows because they hate the owner of the house. They do it because they want to and no one can stop them. They can decide when they want to, where and how.  

Dr.B: Thank you very much for your time Trevor, unless you have any questions for myself than you may be dismissed and I will see you again next Tuesday.

T: Goodbye.

Analysis: Trevor displays sociopathic traits such as his lack of consideration for social norms and his subsequent disregard for the law. His lack of understanding that Mr.Thomas was hurt, albeit not physically by the destruction of his house proves that he is numbing himself to the emotions of others. Trevor is very intelligent and as is common in psychopaths can plan very carefully however Trevor seems to lack the ability for longer term planning, (which is evident by his burning of the money making) which most psychopaths have and most sociopaths seem to lack. He uses people as if they are objects once again a trait of sociopaths. Trevor could easily be labeled a sociopath and be treated as such however he does appear to lack the physically aggressive nature that is very prominent in the majority of those with an anti social disorder. He also lacks the paranoia common in psychopaths. Trevor seem to be developing quite a complex coping mechanism for the recent troubles he has faced. Rather than attaching himself to a particular vice Trevor is instead trying to remove his emotions (the things he blames for his pain) from the equation. This crossing of sociopathic and psychopathic behaviours is proving to be quite a fascinating case study. A follow up interview will be done next Tuesday.  - Niegel Barnes