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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Upon what two abilities does conscience depend?

2. What do clinicians who prefer the term "sociopath" believe?

3. What was the verdict in the case of Ted Bundy?

4. What opened Elyse's eyes to Jeffrey's true character?

5. What do psychopaths commit twice as often as other criminal offenders?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it important to determine whether a psychopath is mentally ill or simply a wrongdoer?

2. What factor in Ray's behavior puzzled the author and led him to further study?

3. In what ways are psychopaths compared to science fiction androids by the author?

4. What motivates most people to abide by the rules of society?

5. What experience has convinced the author that the public needs to understand psychopathy?

6. Why doesn't the psychopath's need for change and excitement make him a good candidate for dangerous jobs?

7. What are some important differences between the violent acts of psychopaths and the violent acts of other criminals?

8. How was Jeffrey able to override any suspicions Elyse should have had about him?

9. In what key ways does a psychopath differ from normal criminals?

10. What distinguishes psychopaths who become criminals?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dr. Pinel described psychopathy as "insanity without delirium," and psychopaths as "morally insane." Do you think there is a distinction between moral insanity and other kinds? Can a case be made that psychopaths are actually psychologically damaged in such a way that they should not be held accountable for their actions? In your essay, take a position for or against this contention and support your position with material from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Clearly, the author has an interest in promoting his Psychopathy checklist for use by mental health professionals and clinicians. But this book was not written for the scientific audience. Write an essay explaining what purpose you think the author had in presenting the results of his research to the lay public. Back up your thesis with information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

One of the characteristics of psychopathy is an inability to learn from past experience. Write an essay explaining how this inability could cripple a person's ability to make progress in life.

(see the answer keys)

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