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The Psychology of Psychopaths

Yale University via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

6 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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The figure of the “psychopath” has long fascinated the public. Names like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy evoke fear, shock, and morbid curiosity because their crimes are so extreme that it feels impossible to imagine how anyone could commit them. But behind the sensational stories lies an important scientific question: how does a mind allow for such behavior? This course explores what psychology and neuroscience have discovered about the origins and workings of the so‑called psychopathic mind. We will look at environmental and psychological factors that may contribute to psychopathic traits, examine major scientific theories that explain these behaviors, and consider what this knowledge means for society. By grounding the topic in science rather than myth, the course aims to help you think more clearly about behavior, responsibility, and the possibilities for meaningful intervention.

Syllabus

What is Psychopathy?
- This module examines clinical assessment of psychopathic traits in youth and adults, including major assessment tools, diagnostic considerations, and developmental differences.
Understanding Psychopathy: The Low Fear Framework
- In this module, you'll explore the early psychological perspectives on psychopathy through the low fear framework. We'll delve into how emotional processing and punishment learning were initially understood in this context.
Understanding Psychopathy: Attention Frameworks
- This module takes you through modern perspectives on psychopathy, focusing on attention frameworks. You'll learn how attentional processes influence emotional responses, decision-making, and behavior patterns.
Morality and Empathy in Psychopathy
- Explore the science of morality and empathy in psychopathy in this module. We'll cover research on affective and cognitive empathy, moral reasoning, and address common misconceptions.
Psychopathy and the Law
- Discover how scientific insights into psychopathy intersect with the legal system. This module covers debates on whether psychopathy qualifies as a mental illness and its implications for criminal responsibility.
Is psychopathy treatable?
- This module evaluates current treatment approaches for psychopathy in youth and adults, emphasizing evidence-based interventions, developmental considerations, and clinical challenges.