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Psychopathy: A Very Short Introduction

Essi Viding

24 October 2019

ISBN: 9780198802266

144 pages
Paperback
174x111mm

In Stock

Very Short Introductions

Price: £8.99

Despite the fascination with psychopaths in film, TV, and novels, psychopathy remains widely misunderstood. Most psychopaths are not murderers; most violent criminals are not psychopaths. Separating myth from fact, Essi Viding explores how we identify psychopaths, why they behave and develop the way they do, and whether treatment is possible.

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Description

Despite the fascination with psychopaths in film, TV, and novels, psychopathy remains widely misunderstood. Most psychopaths are not murderers; most violent criminals are not psychopaths. Separating myth from fact, Essi Viding explores how we identify psychopaths, why they behave and develop the way they do, and whether treatment is possible.

  • Describes the personality disorder of psychopathy, dispelling common myths and misconceptions
  • Considers how psychopaths think and what is different about their brains, analysing what may drive their behaviour
  • Explores the genetic and environmental factors that can contribute to psychopathy
  • Discusses whether it is possible to prevent or even treat psychopathy
  • Part fo the Very Short Introductions series - over nine million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Essi Viding, Professor of Developmental Psychology, University College London

Essi Viding is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, where she co-directs the Developmental Risk and Resilience Unit. She is also adjunct faculty at Yale University Medical School Child Study Centre. Her research combines a variety of methodologies, including brain imaging and genetically informative study designs, in an effort to chart different developmental pathways to persistent antisocial behaviour. Professor Viding has received several prizes for her work, including the British Academy Wiley Prize in Psychology, The British Psychological Society Spearman Medal, The Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award, and the Turin Mind & Brain Prize.

Table of Contents

    Preface
    1:Psychopathy: public lore and scientific reality
    2:Explaining the lack of empathy
    3:Explaining the failure to develop pro-socially
    4:Why do some people become psychopaths?
    5:What to do with a psychopath?
    Further reading
    Index

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