Base Instincts: What Makes Killers Kill? - Softcover

Pincus, Jonathan H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393323234 ISBN 13: 9780393323238

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002

Synopsis

"[A] significant contribution to the national debate about violent criminal behavior."? Senator Joe LiebermanNeurologist Dr. Jonathan Pincus personally examined and probed into the family and medical history of numerous serial killers and other violent criminals to analyze what creates and triggers the violent instinct. He discovered that virtually all suffered severe abuse as children, as well as brain damage and mental illness. In these gripping, terrifying stories, Pincus concludes that violent criminal behavior is the catastrophic product of a dysfunctional brain coupled with an abusive environment. Focusing on these critical factors, how can we prevent the development of potentially violent persons from a young age before the damage becomes irrevocable? And how do we evaluate chances of rehabilitation? "[A] rigorous, troubling, and profoundly humane book."? Leon Wieseltier, The New Republic "An urgent wake-up call for the nation. . . a must-read for every professional engaged in the administration of criminal justice."? Samuel Dash, Georgetown University Law Center

About this title

Product Description:

Base Instincts Jonathan Pincus examined and probed into the family and medical history of numerous serial killers to analyze what creates and triggers the violent instinct. This text is an accumulation of his findings, as well as a look at what can be done to stop people becoming killers. Full description

Synopsis:

Neurologist, Dr Jonathan Pincus examined and probed into the family and medical history of numerous serial killers and other violent criminals to analyze what creates and triggers the violent instinct. He discovered that virtually all suffered severe abuse as a child, as well as brain damage and mental illness. In these terrifying stories Pincus concludes that violent criminal behaviour is the product of a dysfunctional brain coupled with an abusive environment. focusing on these critical factors, how can we prevent the development of potentially violent persons from a young age before the damage becomes irreversable? And how do we evaluate the chances of rehabilitation?

About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0393323234
• ISBN 13: 9780393323238
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240