Description
New Age International (P) Ltd Handbook Of Psychopathy_ 1St Jan 2007 by Christopher J. Patrick
The past dozen years have seen a significant upsurge in scientific interest and activity in the area of psychopathy. The authoritative handbook brings together foremost experts to review the latest knowledge on this severe disorder: its nature, causes, assessment, and approaches to minimizing its costly toll on individuals and society. Grounding their presentations in the best science available, the contributors survey important theoretical and methodological advances that are changing the face of the field. In the process, they weigh in on key controversies and identify compelling directions for future research.
Providing thorough coverage of foundational issues, the Handbook describes leading theories of the psychopathic personality and summarizes their current status. The facets and subtypes of the disorder are explored, as are associated personality traits and psychiatric comorbidities. Contributors discuss widely used assessment models and techniques, with particular attention to the strengths and limitations of the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R). Etiological factors are addressed in a section that spans multiple levels of analysis, from family and environmental contexts to cognitive and developmental processes and their neurobiological underpinnings. Manifestations of psychopathy in specific subpopulations including children and youth, women, culturally diverse groups, and noncriminals are explained, as are links to such salient problem behaviors as aggression, substance abuse, sexual offending, and recidivism.
Finally, chapters evaluate existing treatments and consider clinical, legal, andethical issues relevant to working with this population. Seamlessly edited, eachmajor thematic section concludes with a summary chapter that integrates thefindings, ideas, and questions raised.
The most up-to-date, comprehensive, and informative work of its kind, this books essential reading for researchers in the areas of crime, antisocial behavior,violence, and substance abuse; clinical and forensic psychologists,psychiatrists, and social workers; and undergraduate- and graduate-level students. Criminal justice professionals also will find it an indispensablereference.