Topic 8 DQ2: Compare the legal definition of insanity with the psychological concept of mentally ill. How do these two terms differ? How does this distinction affect the validity of the insanity defense?

These two terms described the language within a legal and clinical setting. The term “insanity” is primarily
legal, not psychological. Insanity is a concept argued in courts to help characterize a behavioral dysfunction of
guilt from an uncontrolled mental state of mind of innocence. It's usually knowledgeable by mental health
professionals. The legal definition of insanity rest on the word, “mental illness” and include the psychological
findings of specified behaviors that defines the acute temperament of an individual who cannot separate
fantasy from reality, cannot conduct his or her affairs due to psychosis, or is
subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. Insanity is also distinguished from low intelligence or
mental deficiency due to age or injury (Johnson, 2014).

 According to the DSM-5: "A mental disorder is a condition distinguished by clinically substantial disturbance
in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that exposes a dysfunction in the psychological,
biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated
with significant distress in social, occupational, or other important activities (Fisher, 2013).

The insanity defense exists to identify which individuals fall into the latter category because of a mental
disability. When the nature of defendants’ mental impairments is such that they are not criminally responsible
for their acts, it is not only unjust to impose criminal liability and punishment, but it is also ineffective (Howes,
2009).