The Myth of the Born Criminal: Psychopathy, Neurobiology, and the Creation of the Modern Degenerate

Author:   Jarkko Jalava ,  Stephanie Griffiths ,  Michael Maraun
Publisher:   University of Toronto Press
ISBN:  

9781442650374


Pages:   288
Publication Date:   24 June 2015
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   Temporarily unavailable   Availability explained
The supplier advises that this item is temporarily unavailable. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out to you.

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The Myth of the Born Criminal: Psychopathy, Neurobiology, and the Creation of the Modern Degenerate


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Overview

By some estimates, there are as many as twelve million psychopaths in the United States alone. Cold-blooded, remorseless, and strangely charismatic, they commit at least half of all serious and violent crimes. Supposedly, most serial killers are psychopaths, as, surprisngly, are large numbers of corporate executives. They seem to be an inescapable, and fascinating, threat in our midst. But is psychopathy a brain disorder, as many scientists now claim? Or is it just a reflection of modern society's deepest fears? The Myth of the Born Criminal offers the first comprehensive critique of the concept of psychopathy from the eighteenth-century origins of the born-criminal theory to the latest neuroimaging, behavioural genetics, and statistical studies. Jarkko Jalava, Stephanie Griffiths, and Michael Maraun use their expertise in neuropsychology, psychometrics, and criminology to dispel the myth that psychopathy is a biologically-based condition. Deconstructing the emotive language with which both research scientists and reporters describe the psychopaths among us, they explain how the idea of psychopathy offers a comforting neurobiological solution to the mystery of evil. A stunning merger of rigorous science and clear-sighted cultural analysis, The Myth of the Born Criminal is for anyone who wonders just what truth - or fiction - lurks behind the study of psychopathy.

Full Product Details

Author:   Jarkko Jalava ,  Stephanie Griffiths ,  Michael Maraun
Publisher:   University of Toronto Press
Imprint:   University of Toronto Press
Dimensions:   Width: 16.00cm , Height: 2.40cm , Length: 23.60cm
Weight:   0.560kg
ISBN:  

9781442650374


ISBN 10:   1442650370
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   24 June 2015
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Temporarily unavailable   Availability explained
The supplier advises that this item is temporarily unavailable. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out to you.

Table of Contents

Introduction Part I Chapter 1: The Moral Foundations of Psychopathy Chapter 2: The First Golden Age - Degeneration Chapter 3: The Second Golden Age - Psychopathy Chapter 4: The Politics of Psychopathy Chapter 5: The Adjustable Psychopathy Portfolio Chapter 6: The Culture of Psychopathy Part II Chapter 7: The Language of Persuasion Chapter 8: Neurobiology and Psychopathy Chapter 9: Conclusion – The Parlor Game Appendix A: Morality and Psychopathy Appendix B: The Psychometrics of Psychopathy – On Factor Structures and Heritability Coefficients

Reviews

The Myth of the Born Psychopath presents something truly new, a comprehensive treatment of psychopathy's defects. It is an important and necessary work. Indeed, its message deserves widespread attention. - Cary Federman, Department of Justice Studies, Montclair State University I congratulate the authors of The Myth of the Born Criminal on writing what is the most sustained and compelling critique of the contemporary use of the concept of psychopathy to date. - Richard Weisman, Law and Society Program, Department of Social Science, York University


""I congratulate the authors of The Myth of the Born Criminal on writing what is the most sustained and compelling critique of the contemporary use of the concept of psychopathy to date."" --Richard Weisman, Law and Society Program, Department of Social Science, York University ""The Myth of the Born Psychopath presents something truly new, a comprehensive treatment of psychopathy's defects. It is an important and necessary work. Indeed, its message deserves widespread attention."" --Cary Federman, Department of Justice Studies, Montclair State University


"""I congratulate the authors of The Myth of the Born Criminal on writing what is the most sustained and compelling critique of the contemporary use of the concept of psychopathy to date."" --Richard Weisman, Law and Society Program, Department of Social Science, York University ""The Myth of the Born Psychopath presents something truly new, a comprehensive treatment of psychopathy's defects. It is an important and necessary work. Indeed, its message deserves widespread attention."" --Cary Federman, Department of Justice Studies, Montclair State University"


Author Information

Jarkko Jalava is a college professor of criminology in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Okanagan College. Stephanie Griffiths is a college professor in the Department of Psychology at Okanagan College. Michael Maraun is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University.

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