Without Conscience - Dr Robert Hare

This book was recommended to me and was incredibly helpful in understanding the psychopath.

KEY SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOPATHY (Page 34):

Emotional/Interpersonal

*glib and superficial

*egocentric and grandiose

*lack of remorse or guilt

*lack of empathy

*deceitful and manipulative

*shallow emotions

Social Deviance

*impulsive

*poor behaviour controls

*need for excitement

*lack of responsibility

*early behaviour problems

*adult antisocial behaviour

Some excerpts from "Without Conscience":

He will choose you, disarm you with his words, and control you with his presence. He will delight you with his wit and his plans. He will show you a good time, but you will always get the bill. He will smile and deceive you, and he will scare you with his eyes. Ans when he is through with you, and he will be through with you, he will desert you and take with him your innocence and your pride. You will be left much sadder but not a lot wiser, and for a long time you will wonder what happened and what you did wrong. And if another of his kind comes knocking at your door, will you open it? (Page 21)

He knows the words but not the music. (Page 128)

In an interview, one of our psychopaths, a con artist, said candidly, "When I'm on a job the first thing I do is I size you up. I look for an angle, an edge, figure out what you need and give it to you. Then it's pay-back time, with interest. I tighten the screws." (Page 147)

Psychopaths have an uncanny ability to spot and use "nurturant" women- that is, those who have a powerful need to help or mother others....These women will usually take a lot of abuse in their believe that they can help; they are ripe for being left emotionally, physically, and financially drained. (Page 149)