Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us

by Robert D. Hare PhD

Overview

Most people are both repelled and intrigued by the images of cold-blooded, conscienceless murderers that increasingly populate our movies, television programs, and newspaper headlines. With their flagrant criminal violation of society's rules, serial killers like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy are among the most dramatic examples of the psychopath. Individuals with this personality disorder are fully aware of the consequences of their actions and know the difference between right and wrong, yet they are terrifyingly self-centered, remorseless, and unable to care about the feelings of others. Perhaps most frightening, they often seem completely normal to unsuspecting targets—and they do not always ply their trade by killing. Presenting a compelling portrait of these dangerous men and women based on 25 years of distinguished scientific research, Dr. Robert D. Hare vividly describes a world of con artists, hustlers, rapists, and other predators who charm, lie, and manipulate their way through life. Are psychopaths mad, or simply bad? How can they be recognized? And how can we protect ourselves? This book provides solid information and surprising insights for anyone seeking to understand this devastating condition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781572304512
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	01/08/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	236
Sales rank:	97,729
Product dimensions:	5.42(w) x 8.22(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Robert D. Hare, PhD, considered one of the world’s foremost experts on psychopathy, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Hare is the developer of one of the most widely used tools for assessing psychopathy and the author of over 100 scientific articles and several books. He has received numerous awards for his distinguished contributions to psychology and criminology.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. "Experiencing" the Psychopath
2. Focusing the Picture
3. The Profile: Feelings and Relationships
4. The Profile: Lifestyle
5. Internal Controls: The Missing Piece
6. Crime: The Logical Choice
7. White-Collar Psychopaths
8. Words from an Overcoat Pocket
9. Flies in the Web
10. The Roots of the Problem
11. The Ethics of Labeling
12. Can Anything Be Done?
13. A Survival Guide
Epilogue

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A fascinating, if terrifying, look at psychopaths. . . . Hare makes a strong case for the view that psychopaths are born, not made. . . . A chilling, eye-opening report—-and a call to action." —-Kirkus

Interviews

Interested general readers; mental health and legal professionals. As a supplemental text in psychopathology courses, the book will be read with interest by students at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Editorial Reviews

"A brilliant, in-depth handling of a most complex subject." —Hugh Aynesworth, author of Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer

"Fascinating, chilling, and accurate....The world's most renowned psychopathy researcher has leavened sharp scientific insights with page-turning case descriptions in a rare publishing feat: a book that is both highly readable and highly reputable." —John Monahan, PhD

From the Publisher

This work of pop psychology merits attention because Hare has pioneered in the field of psychopathy, which is still in a formative state. Psychopaths, he asserts, are neither sociopaths nor psychotics but rather are people who are well aware of the difference between right and wrong and ignore the distinction. Additionally, they are egocentric and have no feelings of empathy, guilt or remorse. They view others as potential victims, and they leave a trail of unhappiness behind them in those who have succumbed to their deceitful manipulations. Whether nature or nurture underlies their aberration is still uncertain; they are almost impossible to treat, according to Hare, because they are convinced that they have no psychological or emotional problems. Although, as he notes, much of the literature on psychopathy is scientific, Hare here presents material in a form accessible to lay readers. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The word psychopath conjures up visions of the horrific deeds of Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer for most people. But not all murderers are psychopaths and not all psychopaths are murderers. Psychopathy is a complex personality disorder whose most prevalent characteristic is lack of remorse and whose cause and cure are still unknown. Unlike Hare's previous writings, geared to professional clinicians and researchers, this title attempts to clarify psychopathy for the general public. Hare is a recognized expert in the field of psychopathy, and whereas the content here is good and the explanations accessible to lay readers, the presentation is choppy and repetitious. Owing to interest in the more famous psychopaths, this book will probably be popular in public libraries. Although it is by no means scholarly, academic libraries may consider it because of the author's expertise. Another book to consider is Herve Cleckley's classic, The Mask of Insanity (Cleckley, 1988).-- Jennifer Amador, Central State Hosp. Medical Lib., Petersburg, Va.

Library Journal