Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us
by Robert D. Hare
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 174)
bookshelves:
psychology
Read in January, 1993
Basic research for its time. The notes written in my copy read: Translates essential findings from experimental psychology and cognitive psychophysiology to examine the nature of psychopathy, its salient characteristics, and its effects on society. This book provides information and advice for anyone seeking to understand, evaluate, or rehabilitate these dangerous men and women. It also serves as a supplemental text in psychopathology courses, at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Fascinat...more
Fascinat...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Amie by:
sadly enough, no one.recommends it for: naive girls
The life and most recent engagement of Charles Sobhraj to a 20-year old Nepalese girl possessed me to read this interesting piece of literature. I fear I too am capable of falling in love with a psychopath (not to be confused with being psychotic - oh no). I mean, I'm a total sucker for the John Grambling type: good looking, charming, witty, confident, ignores society rules, appearingly intelligent. It is said that intelligent psychopaths have the ability to transcend the bounds of convention...more
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bookshelves:
character-studies,
culture-and-politics,
psychology,
reference,
relationships
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
Anyone
An excellent analysis of the much-misunderstood problem that is variously called antisocial personality disorder, sociopathy, or psychopathy, by the clinician who developed the best and most used test to diagnose this condition, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist. Dr. Hare explains what it means to be a sociopath or to be stuck dealing with one, what makes them tick and what to expect from them. Knowledge is power, and the information in this book makes it possible to recognize sociopathic people ...more
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bookshelves:
psychology
recommends it for: no one
Read in January, 1995
recommended to Maureen by:
Craig Haneyrecommends it for: no one
Dr. Robert Hare has a theory he calls "psychopathy," that he uses to describes anyone whose behavior doesn't conform to his standards. He has tried for years to get it into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the psychiatrists' and psychologists' main reference work. Its editors have rejected Dr. Hare's proposition as being too vague. Still, people will read this and think that their landlord or the guy next to them on the bus is a psychopath. I have read many useful psychologi...more
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Okay, maybe you have to be a psychologist to appreciate this, but I thought it was fascinating. Wait: No, I don't think you have to be a psychologist to appreciate this -- it's just fascinating how nasty and evil people can be!
If this kind of thing intrigues you (all you people out there who like to read about real-life serial killers, this is for you!), then don't hesitate to pick up. Again, fascinating!
If this kind of thing intrigues you (all you people out there who like to read about real-life serial killers, this is for you!), then don't hesitate to pick up. Again, fascinating!
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bookshelves:
psychology,
scholarlypursuits
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
psych majors
it clearly defines what a psychopath is and how robert hare was able to come to create the pcl (and eventually the revised version and screening version). i actually quite enjoyed it. it was something i used as a reference to a paper and it really gave the knowledge i needed to write an amazing paper. it also served as a starting point for all of my research because it gave me names to find and authors to track down. overall, wonderful.
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Read in July, 2008
somewhat sensationalistic, self serving/referential (the author also designed a test for psychopathy), and tedious (innumerable similar anecdotes), but not utterly unreadable (though i stalled more than once). still, i can't say i recommend it, though - the professional should read above it, and the layperson doesn't really need it. is that good enough, les?
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22 comments
bookshelves:
non-fiction
Interesting read about psychopaths (I think I know a few), but the good doctor kept referring to a test he created, as if that was the only way to tell a psychopath. Maybe it is, as I'm sure a lot of research hadn't been done when this was written, but still, it became redundant. The stories of real life crazies was fascinating, though.
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Read in January, 2008
Oh, you gotta read this. Excellent descriptions and explanation of psychological method. Horrifying interviews. I've met these people and you have, too. On the downside, ain't nuthin we can do about it. Except pack heat, maybe.
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bookshelves:
psychology
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone interested in psychology
An amazingly detailed book about psychopathy/sociopathology which has an annoyingly sensationilist title. If you are in the field or studying to be, read this book. So many people in the field refuse to touch the subject, and this author spent twenty-five years studying it.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
I'm reading this on Jayme's recommendation. It's quite enlightening. I'm realizing Kareem exhibited/exhibits many of the behaviors described within, and I can only be grateful I was only with him for a few months.
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This is not a shock-book like it sounds, but a scientific look at real characteristics of psychopaths and how serial killers are actually only about 1% of this group. Not uplifting, but really fascinating.
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Read in July, 2007
Althought I wasn't completely sold on Hare's Psychopathy Checklist, this cleared up some misconceptions I had about the term 'psychopath'.
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way too intense and graphic for me
Lots of true stories, interviews, etc. I couldn't finish it. It was very disturbing.
Lots of true stories, interviews, etc. I couldn't finish it. It was very disturbing.
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Read in January, 1998
recommended to Belinda by:
Brent Turveyrecommends it for: anyone interested
One of the best books I've ever read about psychopaths. Dr. Hare is a genius. It's well written and easy to comprehend.
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This book was so incredibly interesting and helps one to see that the "psychopaths" aren't just serial killers.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
psychology buffs
The writing style of this book annoyed me (too much tell not enough show) but the topic really drew me in.
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Nice primer, but now I'm pretty certain my brother is a psychopath and... probably my unborn child too.
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This is a really good book, but it creeps dangerously into melodramatic cheesefest territory at times.
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A good overview for anyone interested in reading more on psychopathy.
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