PSY 3850 - Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder

Goals: To describe and critically analyze research, theory, and practice in the field of psychopathic and antisocial personalities and forensic psychology. Students will learn key descriptive, causal and treatment approaches to the field.

Content: We will discuss psychopathic and antisocial personalities and distinctions between these and other psychiatric disorders. Using case histories, we will examine different expressions of the psychopathic personality, including criminal and successful types, as well as the serial murderer. Other topics will include: diagnostic approaches, developmental issues, treatment, forensic psychology practice, gender differences, personality profiling; causal factors in criminal and psychopathic behavior; research on emotion, and thought processes in psychopaths.

Taught: Annually in summer

Prerequisites: PSY 1330 (or equivalent) and PSY 1480 (grades of C- or better), or instructor permission

Credits: 4