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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. What does the author say is the hallmark of a psychopath?

2. What did Philippe Pinel call psychopathy?

3. What programs administer treatment if the psychopath is judged to be sane but evil?

4. What impression do astute observers sometimes get about psychopaths?

5. What was incongruous about the red button in the psychologist's office in British Columbia Penitentiary?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has the term "psychopath" contributed to confusion about its meaning?

2. How do psychopaths typically speak of the harm they have caused to others?

3. What signs did Helen have that her preadolescent daughter, Alice, was "off"?

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

5. Why has the author mistrusted the results of psychological testing to identify psychopaths?

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

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

8. How do psychopaths come to be involved in crime?

9. Why has the author determined not to devote much of his book to psychodynamic, unconscious processes of psychopathy?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining Dr. Hare's admonition not to use the Psychopathy checklist for self-diagnosis or to diagnose acquaintances. What is the importance of this precaution? What is the temptation? How many of those characteristics could be reliably identified by a non-professional observer? For instance, is there a clear delineation between glib and non-glib? Between grandiose and enthusiastic?

Essay Topic 2

Consider the grey boxes in this book. What do you think was the author's purpose for including these anecdotal materials? Do you think that if he were writing for a professional, rather than a lay audience, he would have included the boxed material? Do you think it contributes to your understanding or interest in the text? In your essay, give your opinion regarding the purpose and effectiveness of the boxed material.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think psychopaths do not normally get along with one another? Do you think they can recognize others who are like them? What makes you think so or not? In your essay, provide evidence for your opinion.

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