Cary Stacy Smith

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… Show more

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.

Illustrates concepts through case studies from history and popular culture and of prison inmates
Explains how malignant narcissism differs from psychopathy and related disorders
Details the absolute characteristic that sets this disorder apart from others: sadism
Addresses theories and research on this disorder as well as treatments and medications
Includes a bibliography Show less

In Taiwan, teaching focuses around lecturing, with students having little opportunity to interact with each other. Problem-based learning (PBL) is a means of instruction where students learn the subject by being active participants in the pedagogical process, with the emphasis on problem-solving. In this study, the authors investigated whether PBL would enhance self-efficacy better than common lecturing with children who had little access to technology outside of school. Two sixth-grade… Show more

In Taiwan, teaching focuses around lecturing, with students having little opportunity to interact with each other. Problem-based learning (PBL) is a means of instruction where students learn the subject by being active participants in the pedagogical process, with the emphasis on problem-solving. In this study, the authors investigated whether PBL would enhance self-efficacy better than common lecturing with children who had little access to technology outside of school. Two sixth-grade computer classes, both with 32 students in each and both located in the mountainous regions of eastern Taiwan, served as participants. A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design was used with one class utilizing PBL principles, while the other used traditional lecturing. A pre-/posttest was administered, using the General Self-Efficacy Scale with data analysis employing the Mann–Whitney test and Pearson Goodness-of-Fit. The results indicated that PBL is superior to lecturing, with respect to an increase in computer self-efficacy. Show less

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… Show more

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. Show less

A philosophical paper that examines how Chinese culture affects the treatment of elderly Chinese by their adult children.

An in depth literature review was conducted into the relative influence of conduct problems and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the development of child/adolescent psychopathy. Lynam (1996) wrote that children/adolescents exhibiting behaviors of both were ‘fledgling psychopaths;’ however, recent evidence suggests that if youth with comorbid conduct problems and ADHD exhibit a persistent form of antisocial and/or psychopathic behavior, the cause is primarily due to the levels of… Show more

An in depth literature review was conducted into the relative influence of conduct problems and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the development of child/adolescent psychopathy. Lynam (1996) wrote that children/adolescents exhibiting behaviors of both were ‘fledgling psychopaths;’ however, recent evidence suggests that if youth with comorbid conduct problems and ADHD exhibit a persistent form of antisocial and/or psychopathic behavior, the cause is primarily due to the levels of conduct problems, not the influence of ADHD. This article looks at the three perspectives regarding the development of psychopathy: (1) Conduct Problem Mediation, (2) the Independent Position, and (3) the Comorbid Subtype. The studies examining the three perspectives found that the Conduct Problem Mediation, not the Comorbid Subtype, was the most important in the development of psychopathy. Show less

A social story intervention was applied toward a Taiwanese child diagnosed with autism, and was found to be effective.

The book deals with National Security issues and the political causes of the USA Patriot Act. In addition, the political and social ramifications of the Act for Americans are discussed at length.

An extensive literature review examining how stereotype threat affects learning.