#476 - Mark Freestone - Why Do Psychopaths Exist?

i would say you know google me i've got a university web page you can also find my book making a psychopath published by penguin in the uk and macmil…

Lionel Shriver

when you read books like we need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver or you see people who were just bad to the bone on TV like Patrick Bateman or…

Herve Cleckley

this debate actually goes back a long way to the 1940s and 50s when Herve Cleckley first published his book on the mask of sanity.

Guest: Mark Freestone

Episode summary

Mark Freestone is Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, an author and an expert in psychopathology. There's a modern fascination with psychopaths. True Crime is the most popular single podcast genre and Netflix documentaries about real life serial killers capture everyone's attention. But why are we so obsessed with dangerous individuals? And what is it that makes a psychopath who they are? Expect to learn what the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath are, why having psychopaths in society was an advantage for a long time, why there are so few female psychopaths, what happens when a university lecturer discovers his own psychopathy in his 40's, the scariest criminals Mark has ever met and much more...

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The host mentions 'Making a Psychopath' to highlight the complexities of working with unpredictable individuals in a…

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Lionel Shriver

The host discusses the complexities of psychopathy and its distinctions, referencing Lionel Shriver's book to illustr…

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types of psychopaths(2)unpredictable behavior in offenders(1)

Herve Cleckley

The host discusses the complexities of psychopathy and its classification, referencing Herve Cleckley's work to highl…

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The conversation centers on types of psychopaths.
A second recurring theme is unpredictable behavior in offenders.
Referenced books include Making a Psychopath and We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver.
The strongest audience signal points to Individuals interested in psychology and criminal behavior and psychology enthusiasts and students.

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Deep Dive(2)Highly Recommended(1)

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Individuals interested in psychology and criminal behaviorpsychology enthusiasts and studentsmental health professionals and psychology students

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Best for Individuals interested in psychology and criminal behaviorOften cited around unpredictable behavior in offenders

“Mark mentions his book 'Making a Psychopath', published by Penguin in the UK and Macmillan in the USA, describing it as a short read not intended to be heavily academic.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: unpredictable behavior in offenders

For: Individuals interested in psychology and criminal behavior

Key quote: “i would say you know google me i've got a university web page you can also find my book making a psychopath published by penguin in the uk and macmillan and the usa”

The host mentions 'Making a Psychopath' to highlight the complexities of working with unpredictable individuals in a clinical setting. The book provides insights into the author's experiences and the characters discussed, making it a valuable read for those interested in psychology and criminal behavior.

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Lionel Shriver

Best for psychology enthusiasts and studentsOften cited around types of psychopaths

“The discussion references the book 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver in the context of understanding psychopathy and its characteristics.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: types of psychopaths

For: psychology enthusiasts and students

Key quote: “when you read books like we need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver or you see people who were just bad to the bone on TV like Patrick Bateman or Hannibal Lecter.”

The host discusses the complexities of psychopathy and its distinctions, referencing Lionel Shriver's book to illustrate the concept of inherent evil in certain characters. This book serves as a cultural touchstone for understanding the darker aspects of human behavior.

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Herve Cleckley

Best for mental health professionals and psychology studentsOften cited around types of psychopaths

“The excerpt mentions Herve Cleckley's book 'The Mask of Sanity' in relation to the identification of psychopaths and the historical debate surrounding the concept.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: types of psychopaths

For: mental health professionals and psychology students

Key quote: “this debate actually goes back a long way to the 1940s and 50s when Herve Cleckley first published his book on the mask of sanity.”

The host discusses the complexities of psychopathy and its classification, referencing Herve Cleckley's work to highlight the historical debate on the nature of psychopaths. This mention serves to illustrate the evolving understanding of psychopathy and its distinctions from related terms like sociopathy.

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Making a Psychopath

Modern Wisdom · 56:36

i would say you know google me i've got a university web page you can also find my book making a psychopath published by penguin in the uk and macmil…

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Modern Wisdom · 9:27

when you read books like we need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver or you see people who were just bad to the bone on TV like Patrick Bateman or…

The Mask of Sanity

Modern Wisdom · 8:57

this debate actually goes back a long way to the 1940s and 50s when Herve Cleckley first published his book on the mask of sanity.

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Mentioned at 56:36

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The host mentions 'Making a Psychopath' to highlight the complexities of working with unpredictable individuals in a clinical setting. The book pro…

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Mentioned at 9:27

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Lionel Shriver

The host discusses the complexities of psychopathy and its distinctions, referencing Lionel Shriver's book to illustrate the concept of inherent ev…

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Mentioned at 8:57