The Mask of Sanity


Book Description

"On the outside, Dr. Jeremy Balint is a pillar of the community: the youngest division chief at his hospital, a model son to his elderly parents, fiercely devoted to his wife and two young daughters. On the inside, Dr. Jeremy Balint is a high-functioning sociopath--a man who truly believes himself to stand above the ethical norms of society. As long as life treats him well, Balint has no cause to harm others. When life treats him poorly, he reveals the depths of his cold-blooded depravity. At a cultural moment when the media bombards us with images of so-called sociopaths who strive for good and criminals redeemed by repentance,The Mask of Sanity offers an antidote to implausible tales of evil gone right. In contrast to fictional predecessors like Dostoyevesky's Raskolnikov and Camus' Mersault, Dr. Balint is a man who already has it all--and will do everything in his power, no matter how immoral, to keep what he has."--Amazon.com.




The Psychopath Test


Book Description

What if society wasn't fundamentally rational, but was motivated by insanity? This thought sets Jon Ronson on an utterly compelling adventure into the world of madness. Along the way, Jon meets psychopaths, those whose lives have been touched by madness and those whose job it is to diagnose it, including the influential psychologist who developed the Psychopath Test, from whom Jon learns the art of psychopath-spotting. A skill which seemingly reveals that madness could indeed be at the heart of everything . . . Combining Jon Ronson's trademark humour, charm and investigative incision, The Psychopath Test is both entertaining and honest, unearthing dangerous truths and asking serious questions about how we define normality in a world where we are increasingly judged by our maddest edges. 'The belly laughs come thick and fast – my God, he is funny . . . provocative and interesting' – Observer




Handbook of Psychopathy


Book Description

Widely considered the go-to reference--and now extensively revised with over 65% new material--this authoritative handbook surveys the landscape of current knowledge on psychopathy and addresses essential clinical and applied topics. Leading researchers explore major theoretical models; symptomatology and diagnostic subtypes; assessment methods; developmental pathways; and causal influences, from genes and neurobiology to environmental factors. The volume examines manifestations of psychopathy in specific populations as well as connections to antisocial behavior and recidivism. It presents contemporary perspectives on prevention and treatment and discusses special considerations in clinical and forensic practice. New to This Edition *Extensively revised with more than a decade's theoretical, empirical, and clinical advances. *Many new authors and topics. *Expanded coverage of phenotypic facets, with chapters on behavioral disinhibition, callous–unemotional traits, and boldness. *Chapters on DSM-5, clinical interviewing, cognitive and emotional processing, and serial murder. *Significantly updated coverage of etiology, assessment methods, neuroimaging research, and adult and juvenile treatment approaches.







The Wisdom of Psychopaths


Book Description

Psychopath. The word conjurs up images of serial killers, rapists, suicide bombers, gangsters. But think again: you could probably benefit from being a little more psychopathic yourself. Psychologist Kevin Dutton has made a speciality of psychopathy, and is on first-name terms with many notorious killers. But unlike those incarcerated psychopaths, and all those depicted in movies and crime fiction, most are not violent, he explains. In fact, says Prof Dutton, they have a lot of good things going for them. Psychopaths are fearless, confident, charismatic and focused--qualities tailor-made for success in today's society. The Wisdom of Psychopaths is an intellectual rollercoaster ride that combines lightning-hot science with unprecedented access to secret monasteries, Special Forces training camps, and high-security hospitals. In it, you will meet serial killers, war heroes, financiers, movie stars and attorneys--and discover that beneath the hype and popular characterization, psychopaths have something to teach us. Like the knobs on a mixing deck, psychopathy is graded. And finding the right combination of psychopathic traits, sampled and mixed at carefully calibrated volumes, can put us ahead of the game.




The Clinical and Forensic Assessment of Psychopathy


Book Description

This newly revised edition to The Clinical and Forensic Assessment of Psychopath: A Clinician's Guide brings new chapters on psychopathy in women, brain imaging, assessment and treatment in schools, and more, in addition to the updated original chapters. With its in-depth research on psychopathy, accumulating findings from over the past 40 years and applying them to procedures and methods, it is essential for all of those who face mental health, correctional, or court settings. This edition is an excellent resource for experienced professionals and their trainees, as well as students who need a go-to book between the research and practice on the assessing of psychopathy.




Psychopathy and Law


Book Description

Psychopathy and Law: A Practitioner's Guide provides those working in the fields of law, the military, social and health services, politics, and business with a comprehensive introduction to psychopathy and the ways of thinking that guide the psychopathic mind. Features case examples and - unique from previous texts in the field - links these to theory and empirical research Represents an up-to-date resource for scientists examining psychopathy Covers issues that have never been dealt with in regard to psychopathy, including those relating to families, civil law, war crimes, economical crimes and organized crimes




Handbook of Psychopathy, First Edition


Book Description

This book has been replaced by Handbook of Psychopathy, Second Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-3513-2.




Amerika Psycho


Book Description

Neville, a political satirist jailed after the Oz magazine censorship trials in the 1960s, mocks the culture that sees the world as either a target market or a target' - a culture, he says, that reveals a disturbing identification with Imperial Rome. Neville provoked outrage for his essay describing the US as a nation out of control and bent on serving its interests at any cost. In the wake of 9/11 he warns that America has become a wounded Goliath whose impaired psychic gridlock of us/them spells further destruction for the planet unless Uncle Sam can find himself.'




Confessions of a Sociopath


Book Description

The memoir of a high-functioning, law-abiding (well, mostly) sociopath and a roadmap—right from the source—for dealing with the sociopath in your life. “[A] gripping and important book . . . revelatory . . . quite the memorable roller coaster ride.”—The New York Times Book Review As M.E. Thomas says of her fellow sociopaths, “We are your neighbors, your coworkers, and quite possibly the people closest to you: lovers, family, friends. Our risk-seeking behavior and general fearlessness are thrilling, our glibness and charm alluring. Our often quick wit and outside-the-box thinking make us appear intelligent—even brilliant. We climb the corporate ladder faster than the rest, and appear to have limitless self-confidence. Who are we? We are highly successful, noncriminal sociopaths and we comprise 4 percent of the American population.” Confessions of a Sociopath—part confessional memoir, part primer for the curious—takes readers on a journey into the mind of a sociopath, revealing what makes them tick while debunking myths about sociopathy and offering a road map for dealing with the sociopaths in your life. M. E. Thomas draws from her own experiences as a diagnosed sociopath; her popular blog, Sociopathworld; and scientific literature to unveil for the very first time these men and women who are “hiding in plain sight.”