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After looking over the powerpointish sort of presentation the psychopathic and sociopathic symptoms displayed by Perry and dick are very similar to the type of behavior we see in protagonists in other novels, such as Darl and Victor who both share qualities such as appearing to be normal, and being charming.

This shows the fact that Dick is using Perry and he does not truly care about him. Thus he is neglected in his mid adult life which leads to his murder sprees

Again discusses the minds of Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. Hickock was raised in a normal fashion, leading many to determine that he was born to kill. Perry, on the other hand, had a horrific childhood. His mental disease may have been brought on by his disturbing upbringing, or it may have been worsened by it.

"Through flashbacks we learn that both Dick and Perry have been physically deformed in accidents. Dick was in a car accident in 1950. "It was as though his head had been halved like an apple, then put together a fraction off center … the left eye being truly serpentine, with a venomous, sickly-blue squint …" (Capote 43). Perry's injuries, acquired in a motorcycle accident in 1952, are more serious: "… his chunky, dwarfish legs, broken in five places and pitifully scarred, still pained him so severely that he had become an aspirin addict" (Capote 43)"

This source gives a thorough overview of the nonfiction novel. This part specifically focuses on the fact that both Perry and Dick sustained injuries through accidents. This makes them both seem more monster like.

This source discusses the characteristics of pyschopaths, as well as some of the base causes that drive people criminally insane. As one can see below, between Perry and Dick, every one of the listed traits of a serial killer pyschopath is listed below.

This site gives a comprehensive background of several criminology theories. These include sociological, physical and psychological factors that influence individuals to turn to crime. Both Dick and Perry show signs of the presence of these theories. Perry's home life fits into the social control theory, as does Dick's ability to purposely weaken any social bond he may have created

Originally used in 1843 for an assassination case, the insanity plea has been used by many cold killers to save their lives in return for being labled as a sociopath. Both Dick and Perry undergo psychological evaluations to determine if they, too, qualify for this sentence.  Interestingly enough, this defense now seems to be a thing of the past, as some courts require their jury to answer whether or not a criminal understood his actions.

Just as the car JFK was riding in when he was assassinated is a popular display in a Michigan museum, the tombstones of Dick Hickock and Perry Smith are "treasures" that the public enjoys viewing. The tombstones, which were paid for by Truman Capote, were stolen in 1980 from the graveyard in which the two were buried. They were recovered twenty years later, and now the State of Kansas owns them and plans to put them on display. A Topeka museum is now preparing a crime and punishment exhibit in which the stones and the gallows used on Dick and Perry will be featured.

"Dick and Perry do not fit into the exemplary American image that Holcomb and its citizenry desire. Both men exhibit symptoms of mental illness. They have criminal backgrounds. Perry has a history of abuse. Their antisocial behavior places them in sharp contrast to the American ideals of Holcomb and the Clutter family"

Although this source mainly outlines the theme of justice in In Cold Blood, it also provides a good overview of how Perry and Dick were seen as outcasts.

This article describes the controversy over the death penalty and the proper frequency in which it is used. Today, a majority of Americans are pro-death penalty because it is a popular belief that criminals like Dick and Perry cannot be rehabilitated.

This article redefines the way "evil" is seen in society. The author's goal is to extract it from its religious context. Zelda Knight discusses evil as an aggression that has manifested into destructive behavior. Under these guidelines, Perry and Dick would both be considered "evil"

"People with borderline personality disorder are unstable in several areas, including interpersonal relationships, behavior, mood, and self-image."

"A person with borderline personality may form an intense personal attachment with someone only to quickly dissolve it over a perceived slight. Fears of abandonment may lead to an excessive dependency on others."

This article introduces the concept of personality disorders and lists the most common of these disorders. During In Cold Blood, Perry exhibits definitive behavior of a borderline personality. Such actions include his unnatural attachment to Dick throughout their exploits and his inability to make his own decisions. This essay would support an essay discussing the detrimental effects of poor parenting.

"... people who score high on measures of antisocial personality, low in conscientiousness, high in neuroticism, and low in intelligence have been shown to be more likely to engage in criminal activities, including murder "

"Children who witness poor, unstable relationships between their parents and live in relatively resource-scarce environments are argued to be more likely to adopt short-term, opportunistic mating strategies as adults and riskier strategies for obtaining resources, including theft, violence, and murder"

This article examines murder and provides theories on the causes and rationale for murder. The article provides theory that site neglectful and traumatic upbringings as a potential cause. Also, uneducated and antisocial people are more likely to perpetrate violent acts against their fellow human. Perry exhibits all these traits and has the additional evil influence of Dick encouraging him.

Talks more so about the movie but gives interesting insights into what Capote thought of the movie which helps provide a more detailed understanding of his mind and how he views things, such as his relationships with dick and perry.

"Irony is, in fact, one of Capote's major techniques, and he achieves it by juxtaposing the circumstances of the killers to those of the Clutter family."

"Capote introduces the idea of fate and predestination and the ways in which society produces killers and unleashes them on the innocent."

This article discusses the main themes of In Cold Blood and general information about the novel. Background information is evident in the article including the relationship Capote had with Dick and Perry. The theme of irony is evident throughout the whole novel such as a robbery with no money. This article supports an essay including the major themes of In Cold Blood.

This quote shows the relationship that had developed between Capote and the murderers. Thus this leads to his in depth analysis of them and the understanding of their irrationality

" Scientists who study criminal violence--that committed outside of wars and civil conflicts--now believe that its roots are equally planted in the biology of an individual, the psychology that reflects the interaction of innate traits and experiences, and the larger culture. No single cause is sufficient, none is deterministic."

This article suggests that it is the genetic makeup of Perry and Dick that has made them cold-hearted killers. This would explain why perry's sister is normal while Perry has a severe mental disorder.

explores the themes of death in the clutter family and the deaths of the murderers, comparing and contrasting