The Real CSI: Portrait of a Psychopath

The criminal psychopath has been a source of public fascination since Jack the Ripper made headlines in Whitechapel London in 1888. In the United States we have had our share of infamous offenders including Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy. Still, there are many psychopaths who have not achieved such notoriety, but who have affected the lives of many people. There are also “white collar psychopaths” who take remorseless advantage of people but are not primarily physically dangerous.

In this course we will explore the personality development and behavior of psychopathic individuals, how these features develop from childhood to adulthood, and how they can be treated. Although some readings distinguish psychopath from sociopath and antisocial personality, we will use the collective term “psychopath.” This webpage is a supplement to our recommended text and class discussion, and you are welcome to browse the links listed here. Some links may use more technical psychological or medical language, but most are quite readable.

Monday, 10:00-11:00 Somers Lounge

Date	Topic
Oct. 2	Introduction & overview Orientation to the course Impressions & myths of psychopathy Incidence and diagnosis of psychopathy Psychopath video vignettes CSI-1 Powerpoint
Oct. 9	Developmental risk factors in psychopathy Nature/nurture Attachment and family dynamics Trauma and experiences Peer group CSI-2 Powerpoint
Oct. 16	Guest speaker-- Dr. Jerry Henkel-Johnson conducts court evaluations on competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, dangerousness assessment, and sexual predators
Oct. 23	Personality development The emergence of behavior disorders: Oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, antisocial personality, and psychopathy Assessment of the disorder Guest speaker CSI-4 powerpoint
Oct .30	Brain development: normal and abnormal The normal brain and its development Impact of trauma and drugs/alcohol the  brain of the psychopath CSI-5 powerpoint
Nov. 6	Treatment considerations Treatment of conduct disorders in children and adult offenders CSI-6 powerpoint

Recommended Text: Hare, R. D. (1993). Without conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us. New York: Guilford.

Contact Instructor: David X. Swenson PhD LP, 3130 Tower Hall, 723-6476

Online Resources

What is a psychopath: Diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder (DSM-IV)

• Psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder: a case of diagnostic confusion
• Antisocial personality, sociopathy, and psychopathy
• Psychopaths among us (review of Hare’s book)
• The origins of violence: Is psychopathy an adaptation?
• Discussion of psychopathic traits (note the additional links on left side of page)
• Demographic distribution of antisocial personality disorder

Developmental aspects of the psychopath

• The childhood psychopath: bad seed or bad parents?
• How to succeed in the business of creating psychopaths without even trying
• Crime Times (digest of articles and research on brain influences; search on “psychopath” or “psychopathy”)
• Developmental theory of crime
• Inside the psychopath (speculation on causes)
• The psychopath’s brain

White Collar Psychopaths

• Psychopaths in suits (interview with Robert Hare on his new book)
• Is your boss a psychopath? (yes, they can be in the workplace too)
• Corporate psychopaths (transcript/real player recording)
• Corporate psychopaths at large

Treatment of ASP

• Therapist talks about a serial killer (some of the risks of individual treatment)
• Treatment of psychopath and antisocial personality disorders: a review (long but excellent journal article on treatment)