Bad Boys, Bad Men 3rd Edition: Confronting Antisocial Personality Disorder (Sociopathy) - Paperback

by Donald W. Black (Author)

Whether called black sheep, sociopaths, felons, con men, or misfits, some break all the rules. They shirk responsibilities, abuse drugs and alcohol, take up criminal careers, and lash out at family members. In the worst cases they commit rape, murder, and other violent acts as though they lack a conscience. What makes these people behave the way they do?

Bad Boys, Bad Men examines antisocial personality disorders, or ASPD, the mysterious and misunderstood mental condition that underlies a lifelong penchant for bad behavior. Black interweaves scientific data with stories drawn from his own work as a psychiatrist, current events, new research, and real-world case studies to explore antisocial behavior in men and to chart the history, nature, and treatment of a misunderstood disorder affecting nearly seven million Americans. Citing new evidence from genetics and neuroscience, Black argues that this condition is tied to biological causes, and that some people are simply born bad.

Author Biography

Donald W. Black, MD, is an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City. A graduate of Stanford University and the University of Utah School of Medicine, he has received numerous awards for teaching, research, and patient care, and is listed in "Best Doctors in America." He is an authority on severe personality disorders and writes extensively for professional and lay audiences. He recently co-edited The Textbook of Antisocial Personality Disorder. He has served as a consultant to the Iowa Department of Corrections on offender mental health. His work has been featured in radio, television, and print media worldwide.