Handbook of Psychopathy [Hardcover]

Christopher J. Patrick PhD (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1593852126 | ISBN-13: 978-1593852122 | Edition: 1

With contributions from foremost experts, this authoritative handbook provides a state-of-the-science review of current knowledge on the psychopathic personality. Coverage includes major theoretical models; conceptual and definitional questions; assessment approaches; and etiological pathways, ranging from family and environmental factors to genes, neurotransmitters, and brain systems. Manifestations of psychopathy in specific populations are addressed, as are links to salient problem behaviors such as aggression, substance abuse, sexual offending, and recidivism. Clinical and legal issues are also examined in depth. Seamlessly edited, each major thematic section concludes with a summary chapter that integrates the findings presented and highlights key questions for future research.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Patrick has assembled a remarkably diverse group of cutting-edge scholars to explore in depth the etiology, assessment, and treatment of psychopathy. Clinically astute and scientifically rock-solid, the Handbook of Psychopathy is the single indispensable volume for researchers, practitioners, and students on what may be the most important forensic concept of the early 21st century."--John Monahan, PhD, University of Virginia School of Law

"Patrick’s masterful volume on psychopathy brings additional sophistication to this important and developing topic. Special strengths of the Handbook include its exceptional coverage of etiology and its applications to critical subpopulations. It documents the pressing need for more specialized interventions that target individual facets of psychopathy in forensic and nonforensic populations."--Richard Rogers, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas

"The last two decades have seen a massive growth in biological, psychological, clinical, and epidemiological research on psychopathy. This authoritative, scholarly handbook, edited by one of the leaders in the field, brings together contemporary theoretical concepts and empirical research findings, and does so in an admirable fashion. The impressive range of authors includes senior figures and some of the best of the rising generation of younger researchers. There is no better source of current knowledge on all aspects of psychopathy, as well as on the research challenges that remain and the paradoxes still to be resolved."--Sir Michael Rutter, MD, FRS, FRCPsych, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

"This is an outstanding volume that provides the most comprehensive account of psychopathy currently available. The editor has selected a first-rate panel of contributors to provide in-depth coverage of all that is known about the nature, origins, and treatment of psychopathy. The result is an indispensable resource for all serious students of personality disorder, whether in the mental health or forensic fields."--W. John Livesley, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada

"I was thrilled to adopt this text for my graduate course on the psychology of criminal behavior. I loved the book and have been really pleased with the classroom outcomes and student evaluations of the book. Very few texts are able to provide such broad and timely coverage of a topic as polarizing as psychopathy. The collection of experts is impressive, their work is incisive, and the contribution to the field is immense. I recommend this definitive text to educators without reservation."--Kim A. Gorgens, PhD, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver

About the Author

Christopher J. Patrick, PhD, is Starke R. Hathaway Distinguished Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He has published extensively in the areas of psychopathy, antisocial behavior, and substance use and abuse. Dr. Patrick's other research interests include emotion, personality, psychophysiology, and cognitive neuroscience. He is the recipient of Distinguished Early Career Contribution awards from the American Psychological Association (1995) and the Society for Psychophysiological Research (1993). He is currently a consulting editor for Psychological Assessment and for the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, as well as a former associate editor of Psychophysiology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 651 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (October 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593852126
• ISBN-13: 978-1593852122
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,166,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, comprehensive review of psychopathy!, November 3, 2005

By 

Sammie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook of Psychopathy (Hardcover)

I just received this book about a week ago. It is the best book you can find on psychopathy. It is well written, with each chapter flowing from one to another in a coherent manner. It provides a good historical account of psychopathy and what I really enjoyed was the chapters on fMRI and neurobiology studies! I only wish there had been more of neurobiology and legal scholarship. This book is not a "pop" psychology book, rather it is for academics and researchers -- thank goodness!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cold, Empty and Malevolent, April 18, 2011

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Samcro - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Handbook of Psychopathy (Paperback)

I read this book cover to cover (although I skimmed over some of the pages with lots of statistics). This is THE book for anyone who really wants to understand the personality disorder known as psychopathy (or sociopathy). I am a science teacher, and it helps if you have some background in biology, psychology and math, as the information is very in-depth. By the time you finish the manual, you will have a much better (although theoretical) understanding of the characteristics of psychopathy- the physiology, chemistry, psychology and research behind it. Although this book may not be quite as interesting to the casual reader as books like "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout, "Without Conscience" by Robert Hare, or "Snakes in Suits" by Paul Babiak and Robert Hare, you will be fascinated by the wealth of information. Sometimes I almost forgot I was reading about real people!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money!, September 6, 2011

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Mary "M" (Dallas, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Psychopathy (Paperback)

I was so disappointed with this book. It was so boring and didn't say anything to add to this very important topic. The chapters just had statisics with just a few references to behavior or solutions. Please don't waste your money on this one. The best one so far was the one written by Robert Hare.