Faulty thinking and maladaptive behaviors are usually provoked in individuals through some means or other. This is not an excuse for such deviance, but more an explanation in part. Naturally, the argument is that everyone has a choice in how they think and in how they behave. But the overlooked element in such processing is the factor of diminished capacity. This is where the element of provocation comes into play.
People can make people crazy.
This thinking isn't meant as an argument for defense against criminal proceedings in a court of law, although it is a defense available to the rich and influential. At one time, Adolph Hitler was someone's baby boy. Had Adolph Hitler remained alive and if he would have been imprisoned rather than executed, it would have been interesting to see how the authorities would have handled his possible rehabilitation. Say he would have entered into therapy and saw the error of his ways and became truly remorseful. Say he would have wanted to befriend Jews of the world and live among them in peace in Israel.