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Bad Boys, Bad Men: Confronting Antisocial Personality Disorder
Whether called black sheep, sociopaths, felons, con men, or misfits, some men break all the rules. They shirk everyday responsibilities, abuse drugs and alcohol, take up criminal careers, and lash out at family members. In the worst cases, they commit rape, murder, and other acts of extreme
violence as though they lack a conscience. What makes these men--men we all know, whether as faces in the news or as people close to us--behave the way they do?
Bad Boys, Bad Men examines antisocial personality disorder or ASP, the mysterious mental condition that underlies this lifelong penchant for bad behavior. Psychiatrist and researcher Donald W. Black, MD, draws on case studies, scientific data, and current events to explore antisocial behavior and
to chart the history, nature, and treatment of a misunderstood disorder that affects up to seven million Americans. Citing new evidence from genetics and neuroscience, Black argues that this condition is tied to biological causes and that some people are simply born bad. Bad Boys, Bad Men
introduces us to people like Ernie, the quintessential juvenile delinquent who had an incestuous relationship with his mother and descended into crime and alcoholism; and John Wayne Gacy, the notorious serial killer whose lifelong pattern of misbehavior escalated to the rape and murder of more than
30 young men and boys. These compelling cases read like medical detective stories as Black tries to separate the lies these men tell from the facts of their lives.
Bad Boys, Bad Men not only describes the warning signs that predict which troubled children are more likely to become dangerous adults, but also details progress toward treatment for ASP. This volume will be an essential resource for psychiatrists, psychologists, criminologists, victims of crime,
families of individuals afflicted with ASP, and anyone else interested in understanding antisocial behavior.
violence as though they lack a conscience. What makes these men--men we all know, whether as faces in the news or as people close to us--behave the way they do?
Bad Boys, Bad Men examines antisocial personality disorder or ASP, the mysterious mental condition that underlies this lifelong penchant for bad behavior. Psychiatrist and researcher Donald W. Black, MD, draws on case studies, scientific data, and current events to explore antisocial behavior and
to chart the history, nature, and treatment of a misunderstood disorder that affects up to seven million Americans. Citing new evidence from genetics and neuroscience, Black argues that this condition is tied to biological causes and that some people are simply born bad. Bad Boys, Bad Men
introduces us to people like Ernie, the quintessential juvenile delinquent who had an incestuous relationship with his mother and descended into crime and alcoholism; and John Wayne Gacy, the notorious serial killer whose lifelong pattern of misbehavior escalated to the rape and murder of more than
30 young men and boys. These compelling cases read like medical detective stories as Black tries to separate the lies these men tell from the facts of their lives.
Bad Boys, Bad Men not only describes the warning signs that predict which troubled children are more likely to become dangerous adults, but also details progress toward treatment for ASP. This volume will be an essential resource for psychiatrists, psychologists, criminologists, victims of crime,
families of individuals afflicted with ASP, and anyone else interested in understanding antisocial behavior.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
30 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 15, 2015
This is a pretty good book. However, it is like the Hubble Telescope before they put the proper lenses in – you can see the objects better than you would otherwise, but there is still a blur. Black is an eminent researcher and clinician, and the book cites a number of valuable works (the bibliography alone is probably worth the book). However, despite being aware of, even citing, the work of Robert Hare, he doesn’t adequately learn from his work. Based on his note on Hare’s book at the end of his own, it appears that professional rivalry rather than science leads to what I consider Black’s blind spot, because there is a real difference between anti-social personality (ASP) and psychopathy. The current diagnosis of ASP focuses too much on criminal/exploitative behavior and not on the attitudes and psychological set of the perpetrator. ASP generally have a conscience, however, warped, and however skillful they are at turning it off at crucial moments – their conscience, however, attenuated, remains. The psychopath does not have a conscience. Furthermore, the psychopath’s narcissism is absolutely central to his or her character, not merely a strong component as it is in ASP. Therefore, a clear differentiation of both character types is useful. Black does talk about all the aspects of the psychopath and ASP, but sees them as one and the same. Hare’s work, therefore, is far more useful.
February 18, 2011
I was actually one of the people Don asked to review and comment on this book pre-publication. Don did a great job explaining this personality disorder for the general public. My only concern is that he does not understand how difficult it is for women involved with these men to get away from them. He was originally somewhat condescending, like many people are, "just leave", but toned it down quite a bit after my comments, and included some suggestions for how to go about leaving. However, he still makes it sound much easier than it really is, no matter how essential it is! All in all, though, a great book, very easy to read and interesting. Don is a wonderful person, great psychiatrist.
January 6, 2023
I have a family mired in ASPD: understanding the criminal actions of people with this disorder as well as their inability to empathize or self reflect or take accountability…or simply see themselves clearly or see reality has been a baffling and abusive life. This book is helpful at gaining insight into their condition, and I admire the efforts of these researchers to understand, as I know first hand how deceptive and frustrating this population is. Understanding this disorder is still a field that is very new and there are plenty of gaps. But I think it’s imperative that we try, as it is a pressing community problem that affects many innocent people: simply look at mass shootings and terrorist attacks around the world.
The book is validating in seeing some of the patterns and mindsets of my own family and some of the various life paths of antisocials. There’s plenty of examinations of their childhood traumas and their own justifications to deny shame and accountability.
There are some topics in this only touched on briefly, like women antisocials or covert and high functioning antisocials. I think it’s far more prevalent than we think, if we realize that many world leaders and CEOs have it, and may cause destruction in systemic ways, like legislation, war, or poverty. This book focuses more on low functioning ones in poverty and the prison system. But I know a few like this, and the book was spot on and accurate/illuminating in this regard.
I also think things like their sexualities and racism need more focus/research. I’ve never known one not to be racist (regardless of race) or rape, and I’ve never known one not to have a closeted bisexuality that causes severe shame and denial. This is in all the case studies of this book too.
So, while this is a thorough and helpful study of this disorder, there’s so much more to examine in the wreckage of the mind of someone with ASPD. I hope more researchers are up to the task.
The book is validating in seeing some of the patterns and mindsets of my own family and some of the various life paths of antisocials. There’s plenty of examinations of their childhood traumas and their own justifications to deny shame and accountability.
There are some topics in this only touched on briefly, like women antisocials or covert and high functioning antisocials. I think it’s far more prevalent than we think, if we realize that many world leaders and CEOs have it, and may cause destruction in systemic ways, like legislation, war, or poverty. This book focuses more on low functioning ones in poverty and the prison system. But I know a few like this, and the book was spot on and accurate/illuminating in this regard.
I also think things like their sexualities and racism need more focus/research. I’ve never known one not to be racist (regardless of race) or rape, and I’ve never known one not to have a closeted bisexuality that causes severe shame and denial. This is in all the case studies of this book too.
So, while this is a thorough and helpful study of this disorder, there’s so much more to examine in the wreckage of the mind of someone with ASPD. I hope more researchers are up to the task.
February 22, 2015
This book was alright. It didn't shed any new light on anything about ASPD for me, but it was better than Raine's "Anatomy of Violence" in that Black made the distinction between psychopath and antisocial. But he didn't elaborate on anything too much and in fact cited Raine's studies a couple times. What bothered me is Black implied that the majority of antisocials are incompetents who are either alcoholics or drug addicts. I'm glad that he acknowledged certain ones that weren't, and I understand his reasons for saying why those with ASPD would be more likely to end up as alcoholics or drug addicts, but he doesn't cite any references or stats so I don't know if I'm inclined to totally believe him in his strong handed beliefs. He states it like its fact and I've read a fair number of other things that counter this. Black doesn't spend nearly enough time on the other side of the spectrum--on antisocials who are highly successful. He wants ASPD to eventually be dealt with and tells readers all the obvious signs but sometimes it's not so cut and dry, and people can mask their disorder. I just wish it covered more bases. It touches on a fair number, but not all of them, and there's not any particular amount of detail in any of them.
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July 14, 2021Alguém disse que se você leva para vida, depois de muito tempo, algum detalhe de um livro - mesmo a descrição de um chapéu -, a leitura foi válida e o livro é bom. "Bad Boys, Bad Men" é um desses livros que me ficou na memória. Seu tema, um transtorno psicológico de personalidade, pode parecer moeda corrente em nossa época onde tudo é "fobia" e depressão e ansiedade aparecem quase todo o dia na TV.
Contudo, o transtorno de personalidade antisocial(ASPD) é pouco mencionado e estudado, mesmo na academia. Tão pouco mencionado que tenho de lhes explicar que antisocial não é aquele garoto emo no canto da sala ou o escritor que não sai de casa. Estes são asociais. Antisociais são os que têm pouca consideração pelo bem-estar dos outros, ou ativamente procura feri-los. É o garoto que bate nos amiguinhos, ameaça a professora e destrói a propriedade da escola, por exemplo.
Para se ter uma escala do problema, nos EUA estima-se que entre 4 e 4.5% da população sofra com depressão; ASPD, não muito atrás, atinge entre 2.5 e 3.6%. Como ASPD manifesta-se mais nos homens, jovens, pobres, nas prisões, nos hospitais e entre mendigos, não seria muito supor que o percentual seria maior no Brasil. O caso Lázaro Barbosa (psicopatia é um caso especial de ASPD) recentemente parou o país. Enfim, o transtorno antissocial é muito relevante mas pouco refletido pela opinião pública. Em resumo, hoje se treina as pessoas para identificar quem passa por depressão, ansiedade ou PTSD mas não há nada que ajude o público em geral a lidar com um antissocial.
O livro de Donald Black investiga o fenômeno sob todos os ângulos. Algumas crianças nascem más; há no seu DNA algo que restringe a correta aeração do cérebro e com o desequilíbrio de hormônios uma predisposição à atitude "fight-flight-freeze" é criada. Não é infrequente nesse estado um déficit de atenção. Pais ausentes e mães condescendentes, ambos incapazes de manter o filho numa rotina, tentam inutilmente "consertar" o garoto com surras e castigos - na verdade reforçam sua atitude defensiva e rebelde(80% dos primeiros sintomas aparecem antes dos 11 anos). Extensivas horas de aula, prescritas pelos educadores, são igualmente inúteis e até prejudiciais pois bloqueiam o "escape" da atividade física.
A pessoa criada nessa dieta chega à vida adulta mais rebelde e violenta. Nesse ponto (ao contrário do mito do psicopata contido, inteligente e charmoso) a comorbidade é a regra: abuso de álcool e outras drogas, acessos de raiva, de ansiedade e outros desequilíbrios temperamentais, vícios em jogos etc. A maioria dos homens com ASPD bate na companheira, se envolve em atividades ilegais e em brigas. Quando aceitam tratamento via de regra é para curar as comorbidades como a raiva e o alcoolismo. Contudo, justamente por não aceitarem regras, não seguem o tratamento e muitos acabam presos ou assassinados ou são mortos pelo vício.
Apenas 12% se recupera antes dos trinta enquanto a maioria tem seu estado deteriorado. Entre os 30 e 40 anos o transtorno antissocial "desaparece" e aquele que sobreviveu tem de lidar com as consequências de sua vida pregressa. Já é um cliché o problemático que se converte ou segue à risca o 12 steps program quando chega aos trinta. No fundo era o que ele buscou toda a vida: regras pelas quais viver e achar um sentido à existência. É estatisticamente provável que qualquer um de nós terá de lidar com pessoas assim, especialmente no Brasil. Me pergunto qual o tamanho da destruição que essas pessoas trazem atrás de si. Será que essas misérias não podem ser evitadas?
Sou da opinião que por não haver tanto uma solução farmacológica clara como no caso da depressão e ansiedade há pouco incentivo para ações de conscientização estatal. Mesmo assim, as pessoas sabem inconscientemente da necessidade de conter o ASPD. É a explicação do enorme sucesso de Jordan Peterson; toda a ênfase sobre a responsabilidade individual, sobre o "arrume seu quarto" etc. funciona para conter o comportamento antissocial. Tenho a impressão que o discurso público, a mídia e a indústria de entretenimento põem muito a ênfase de se empoderar, se libertar das inibições e "ser você mesmo". Penso que muitas vidas, de vítimas e agressores, seriam restauradas caso enfatizassem mais ideias de responsabilidade, organização e busca por sentido.
Contudo, o transtorno de personalidade antisocial(ASPD) é pouco mencionado e estudado, mesmo na academia. Tão pouco mencionado que tenho de lhes explicar que antisocial não é aquele garoto emo no canto da sala ou o escritor que não sai de casa. Estes são asociais. Antisociais são os que têm pouca consideração pelo bem-estar dos outros, ou ativamente procura feri-los. É o garoto que bate nos amiguinhos, ameaça a professora e destrói a propriedade da escola, por exemplo.
Para se ter uma escala do problema, nos EUA estima-se que entre 4 e 4.5% da população sofra com depressão; ASPD, não muito atrás, atinge entre 2.5 e 3.6%. Como ASPD manifesta-se mais nos homens, jovens, pobres, nas prisões, nos hospitais e entre mendigos, não seria muito supor que o percentual seria maior no Brasil. O caso Lázaro Barbosa (psicopatia é um caso especial de ASPD) recentemente parou o país. Enfim, o transtorno antissocial é muito relevante mas pouco refletido pela opinião pública. Em resumo, hoje se treina as pessoas para identificar quem passa por depressão, ansiedade ou PTSD mas não há nada que ajude o público em geral a lidar com um antissocial.
O livro de Donald Black investiga o fenômeno sob todos os ângulos. Algumas crianças nascem más; há no seu DNA algo que restringe a correta aeração do cérebro e com o desequilíbrio de hormônios uma predisposição à atitude "fight-flight-freeze" é criada. Não é infrequente nesse estado um déficit de atenção. Pais ausentes e mães condescendentes, ambos incapazes de manter o filho numa rotina, tentam inutilmente "consertar" o garoto com surras e castigos - na verdade reforçam sua atitude defensiva e rebelde(80% dos primeiros sintomas aparecem antes dos 11 anos). Extensivas horas de aula, prescritas pelos educadores, são igualmente inúteis e até prejudiciais pois bloqueiam o "escape" da atividade física.
A pessoa criada nessa dieta chega à vida adulta mais rebelde e violenta. Nesse ponto (ao contrário do mito do psicopata contido, inteligente e charmoso) a comorbidade é a regra: abuso de álcool e outras drogas, acessos de raiva, de ansiedade e outros desequilíbrios temperamentais, vícios em jogos etc. A maioria dos homens com ASPD bate na companheira, se envolve em atividades ilegais e em brigas. Quando aceitam tratamento via de regra é para curar as comorbidades como a raiva e o alcoolismo. Contudo, justamente por não aceitarem regras, não seguem o tratamento e muitos acabam presos ou assassinados ou são mortos pelo vício.
Apenas 12% se recupera antes dos trinta enquanto a maioria tem seu estado deteriorado. Entre os 30 e 40 anos o transtorno antissocial "desaparece" e aquele que sobreviveu tem de lidar com as consequências de sua vida pregressa. Já é um cliché o problemático que se converte ou segue à risca o 12 steps program quando chega aos trinta. No fundo era o que ele buscou toda a vida: regras pelas quais viver e achar um sentido à existência. É estatisticamente provável que qualquer um de nós terá de lidar com pessoas assim, especialmente no Brasil. Me pergunto qual o tamanho da destruição que essas pessoas trazem atrás de si. Será que essas misérias não podem ser evitadas?
Sou da opinião que por não haver tanto uma solução farmacológica clara como no caso da depressão e ansiedade há pouco incentivo para ações de conscientização estatal. Mesmo assim, as pessoas sabem inconscientemente da necessidade de conter o ASPD. É a explicação do enorme sucesso de Jordan Peterson; toda a ênfase sobre a responsabilidade individual, sobre o "arrume seu quarto" etc. funciona para conter o comportamento antissocial. Tenho a impressão que o discurso público, a mídia e a indústria de entretenimento põem muito a ênfase de se empoderar, se libertar das inibições e "ser você mesmo". Penso que muitas vidas, de vítimas e agressores, seriam restauradas caso enfatizassem mais ideias de responsabilidade, organização e busca por sentido.
January 28, 2025
Researchers that track down Iowa men with ASP and see how they are doing in their later years.
A little outdated probably, but still a quality read.
A little outdated probably, but still a quality read.
March 17, 2017
Are any of the references/studies used to support his argument out of date today? Are there any updates in research about Anti-Social Personality Disorder that differs from what the author has cited when it was published?
I can't wait to read this book and learn more about this mental disorder.
Thanks,
Katherine.
I can't wait to read this book and learn more about this mental disorder.
Thanks,
Katherine.
January 1, 2008
Ah. I *love* personality disorders, having been diagnosed with several. My *self* diagnosis is one of "Narcissistic Personality Disorder with Anti-Social Tendencies". It's the narcissism that has (mostly) kept me free of the grasp of institutions and has helped me shirk "responsibility" for my "anti-social" (which should be read "self-destructive") behaviors (it's a miserable life though- like living in a 19th Cent. Russian novel- say, some Turgenev- written by Dickens).
Anyway, like most modern psych, this book is basically bombastic bullshit- but highly entertaining.
I need to start my Reichian Therapy again. I can feel the character armor (not to mention the deadly orgone) thickening around me by the minute.
Anyway, like most modern psych, this book is basically bombastic bullshit- but highly entertaining.
I need to start my Reichian Therapy again. I can feel the character armor (not to mention the deadly orgone) thickening around me by the minute.
April 26, 2014
update of a book initially published about a dozen years earlier. even-handed, fairly dry review of what's known about causes and treatment of psychopathy/Antisocial personality, illustrated by vignettes from the lives of people interviewed in his longitudinal study as well as famous criminal cases.
not a terrific writer and if you're familiar with the literature on this subject it's not anything dramatically different or novel as a take on the disorder, but the inherently interesting subject matter makes it a brisk read.
not a terrific writer and if you're familiar with the literature on this subject it's not anything dramatically different or novel as a take on the disorder, but the inherently interesting subject matter makes it a brisk read.
March 14, 2026
I read this book for a psychology research paper about the Green River Killer and gave it 4 stars. It was my first in-depth look at antisocial personality disorder, and I found it both eye-opening and interesting. It gave me a lot of insight into the mindset and behavior patterns of people with this disorder.
September 28, 2014
Despite the cover, a serious work about antisocial personality disorder with case studies. I felt some of the studies were from dated subjects, but overall a well-written book about what APD is, reasons why it may exist, how it can be treated (not easily)...and more.
September 11, 2012
Frightening and informative
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June 4, 2013can't discuss this book. can't rate it either. i ordered the updated edition.
Read
December 11, 2013Fairly good book. Some stereotypes but some interesting links between conduct disorder and sociopathy.
April 20, 2014
Fascinating look into the psychology of psychopaths.
May 23, 2015
Very easy to read. Highly recommended to help deal if you happen to find yourself dealing with an antisocial. Lots of details, real life examples, research and extremely interesting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews