In this book, a psychologist and a professor detail the history, psychology, and effects of this little-studied condition that has altered individuals and societies worldwide, arguing that the disorder deserves its own classification. Psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1964 developed the term "malignant narcissism," believing it to be the worst form of psychopathology, a disorder that essentially epitomized evil. Malignant narcissism, however, has never been identified as a clinical condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; instead, it is seen as a conglomeration of several other disorders. Yet researchers since Fromm have described malignant narcissists as unique in their callous nature and proclivity to extreme violence, with a component of sadism bringing them pleasure when inflicting pain. The largest concern about malignant narcissists is that "some have the ability and wherewithal to rise to great positions of power and influence" and to affect large numbers of people. Authors Smith and Hung explain the differences between malignant narcissists, "everyday" narcissists, and psychopaths, illustrating these conditions with vignettes of historic public figures and people in popular culture, among others.
In this book, a psychologist and a professor detail the history, psychology, and effects of this little-studied condition that has altered individuals and societies worldwide, arguing that the disorder deserves its own classification. Psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1964 developed the term "malignant narcissism," believing it to be the worst form of psychopathology, a disorder that essentially epitomized evil. Malignant narcissism, however, has never been identified as a clinical condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; instead, it is seen as a conglomeration of several other disorders. Yet researchers since Fromm have described malignant narcissists as unique in their callous nature and proclivity to extreme violence, with a component of sadism bringing them pleasure when inflicting pain. The largest concern about malignant narcissists is that "some have the ability and wherewithal to rise to great positions of power and influence" and to affect large numbers of people. Authors Smith and Hung explain the differences between malignant narcissists, "everyday" narcissists, and psychopaths, illustrating these conditions with vignettes of historic public figures and people in popular culture, among others.
It is estimated that psychopaths make up about 1 percent of the general population. They do everything that a normal person does, with the exception that they possess no empathy and/or conscience toward others, are highly skilled in the art of manipulation, and they have no compunction using others to get what they want and are masters at it. This book is intended for mental health professionals who want to know more about a phenomenon that is both fascinating and scary and who seek to gain information about a topic that, thus far, has received scant attention from researchers. The authors focus on a number of different areas concerning subclinical psychopathy, with some chapters being more technical than others primarily due to the nature of the data reported. Chapters include: An Introduction to Subclinical Psychopathy; A Short History of Psychopathy; What is Subclinical Psychopathy?; The Psychopathic Brain; Child and Adolescent Psychopaths; Interpersonal Relationships; Personality Factors—How to Detect Psychopaths; Treatment for Psychopathy; and How to Deal with the Psychopath in Your Life. While the book is not a treatise on subclinical psychopathy, after reading it, readers will walk away with a better understanding of the subject.
This text offers a comprehensive account of the social, political, and cultural forces undermining academic freedom. At once witty and devastating, it confronts these threats with frankness, then offers a prescription for higher education's renewal.
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