The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist's Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain
Oct 2013 · Sold by Penguin
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41 reviews
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About this ebook
What would you do if you discovered you had the brain of a psychopath? A neuroscientist investigates why he turned out differently from the serial killers he studies in this fascinating deep dive into psychopathy, criminal behavior, genetics, and the human brain.
“Compelling, essential reading for understanding the underpinnings of psychopathy.” — M. E. Thomas, author of Confessions of a Sociopath
In 2005, over a decade before true crime became a cultural obsession, fifty-eight-year-old neuroscientist and medical school professor James Fallon uncovered a lead that caused him to embark on a detective-style case of his own.
While studying the brain scans of serial killers, Fallon exposed a shocking truth: his own brain looked strikingly similar to the cold-blooded murderers he researched. A few months later he learned that he was descended from a family with a long line of murderers, which hinted that Fallon’s own brain pattern wasn’t a fluke. Not only would this realization disrupt his personal and professional life, but it would also lead him to interrogate the very nature of his identity.
The Psychopath Inside tells the fascinating story of Fallon’s discovery and the questions it arose. Despite their matching brain structures, he had very little in common with psychopaths on the surface: he was close with his loving, supportive family, married his high school sweetheart, and had three kids and lots of friends. So how do some people with psychopathic traits become violent, while others lead successful, ordinary lives?
Fallon intended to find out. In a combination of personal story and groundbreaking research, The Psychopath Inside reveals more about psychology’s most misunderstood condition than ever before explored, and Fallon’s ultimate diagnosis will forever change the way we view the disorder.
“Compelling, essential reading for understanding the underpinnings of psychopathy.” — M. E. Thomas, author of Confessions of a Sociopath
In 2005, over a decade before true crime became a cultural obsession, fifty-eight-year-old neuroscientist and medical school professor James Fallon uncovered a lead that caused him to embark on a detective-style case of his own.
While studying the brain scans of serial killers, Fallon exposed a shocking truth: his own brain looked strikingly similar to the cold-blooded murderers he researched. A few months later he learned that he was descended from a family with a long line of murderers, which hinted that Fallon’s own brain pattern wasn’t a fluke. Not only would this realization disrupt his personal and professional life, but it would also lead him to interrogate the very nature of his identity.
The Psychopath Inside tells the fascinating story of Fallon’s discovery and the questions it arose. Despite their matching brain structures, he had very little in common with psychopaths on the surface: he was close with his loving, supportive family, married his high school sweetheart, and had three kids and lots of friends. So how do some people with psychopathic traits become violent, while others lead successful, ordinary lives?
Fallon intended to find out. In a combination of personal story and groundbreaking research, The Psychopath Inside reveals more about psychology’s most misunderstood condition than ever before explored, and Fallon’s ultimate diagnosis will forever change the way we view the disorder.
What would you do if you discovered you had the brain of a psychopath? A neuroscientist investigates why he turned out differently from the serial killers he studies in this fascinating deep dive into psychopathy, criminal behavior, genetics, and the human brain.
“Compelling, essential reading f...
Ratings and reviews
41 reviews
Letitia Tappa
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January 22, 2014
I'm not sure what I think of this book. I spent time being upset that I paid this guy to read his book, which is about himself. (And psychopaths, to be fair). But it is an interesting reminder that other people know us better than we know ourselves, sometimes. And the research is interesting. I would call it a memoir of a functional psychopath.
10 people found this review helpful
Kris Dennett
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April 12, 2023
The book was incredible. James Fallon is really knowledgeable on all or most the subjects he's included in this book. It also helped me learn a lot about disorders and the human brain. I'm glad I found and read this book, I need more like it
Jude Gonzales
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December 23, 2014
Fascinating premise but it really doesn't go anywhere. There are better books on the subject.
10 people found this review helpful
About the author
James Fallon is an award-winning neuroscientist at the University of California, Irvine, where he has taught for thirty-five years. He lives in Irvine, CA.
James Fallon is an award-winning neuroscientist at the University of California, Irvine, where he has taught for thirty-five years. He lives in Irvine, CA.
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