Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us (1993) was written by Canadian psychologist Robert Hare. The book is an examination of psychopathy, exploring how individuals with this disorder can affect society. Drawing on decades of research, Hare, a leading expert on psychopathy, offers insights into the minds of psychopaths, illustrating their lack of empathy and manipulative behaviors through various case studies. Without Conscience serves as a guide to identifying psychopathic traits and understanding their impact on both personal relationships and societal structures.

This guide refers to the 1999 Guildford Press eBook edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss abuse, rape, and sexual violence. Readers should also be advised that “psychopathy” is not a formal psychiatric diagnosis and that criticisms of the concept exist. The term “psychopath” is used throughout the text to refer to individuals who, under the author’s clinical definition, are poorly regulated, antisocial, and do not experience guilt or empathy, among other traits.

Summary

Richard Hare is a Canadian psychologist who spent 25 years researching psychopathy. The primary aim of Without Conscience is to raise awareness of the disorder’s traits. By highlighting the dangers psychopaths can pose, the author hopes to mitigate the damage they may cause to individuals and society. The book includes case studies from Hare’s research and examples of notorious psychopaths, such as serial killer Ted Bundy, to illustrate his argument. Hare emphasizes that everyone is at risk from psychopaths. While the public largely associates psychopaths with high-profile serial killers, most are not murderers. However, all psychopaths are dangerous, as they are “without conscience.”

During years of identifying and researching psychopaths in prisons, Hare devised the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, a diagnostic tool used worldwide. The book outlines the character traits and behaviors of psychopaths, explaining that a diagnosis of psychopathy can only be made if the subject fulfills the characteristics of both categories. Psychopaths are deceitful and manipulative, glib and superficial, egocentric and grandiose, possess shallow emotions, and do not experience empathy or guilt. The unstable lifestyle of a psychopath is characterized by poorly regulated and antisocial behavior, impulsiveness, the desire for instant gratification, and bursts of angry, aggressive behavior. Psychopaths make irresponsible employees, partners, and parents, as they have no sense of obligation to others. They are natural predators, expert at spotting the vulnerabilities of others.

Hare explains that the process of socialization instills most people with a “conscience” that regulates behavior to meet society’s standards. However, socialization is ineffective in psychopaths. They do not experience the fear or anxiety about consequences that prevent the majority of people from acting illegally or antisocially. Furthermore, psychopaths do not worry about being judged negatively by others.

The author argues that the psychopathic personality lends itself to a criminal lifestyle. Psychopaths commit a broader range of crimes at a greater rate than the average offender. They also commit twice as many violent crimes as other criminals, and the nature of this violence is cold-blooded and calculated. It is important to identify psychopaths within the criminal justice system, as they are twice as likely to re-offend than other prisoners. Psychopaths make effective white-collar criminals, using charm and deception to con individuals, businesses, and financial institutions out of large sums of money. Hare points out that psychopaths flourish in the corporate and financial sectors, where ruthlessness and bending the rules are often viewed as desirable traits. The author also highlights the existence of “subcriminal psychopaths” who are never convicted of crimes. This may be because their felonies go undetected or because their unethical activities are damaging but not illegal. Subcriminals are likely to cheat on their spouses, be psychologically abusive, and view friends and family as resources to be exploited.

Psychopaths can sometimes be identified by the way they verbally express themselves. Their stories are often inconsistent, and they frequently fail to answer questions directly. These linguistic peculiarities stem from inefficient linguistic processing by the psychopathic brain. In most people, the brain’s left cerebral hemisphere controls language use, but psychopaths process language in both cerebral hemispheres. Research also shows that words associated with emotions have little impact on psychopaths. While they know what these words mean, they do not fully comprehend the feelings behind them. People are often convinced by the inconsistent stories of psychopaths due to the distracting nonverbal “props” they use, such as intense eye contact.

Hare reveals that psychopathic traits usually emerge in early childhood. Common behaviors include lying, theft, a lack of empathy, violence and aggression, cruelty to animals and other children, vandalism, arson, and truancy. However, many medical professionals are reluctant to diagnose children as psychopaths due to the disorder’s pejorative connotations. Instead, unsuccessful attempts are made to treat individual behaviors. The author emphasizes that it is imperative to accurately diagnose psychopathy as soon as possible so that early interventions can be made.

Researchers disagree on whether psychopathy is caused by nature or nurture. Some believe the disorder is the result of genetic differences in brain function. Others argue that the disorder develops due to poor parenting or adverse social conditions. Hare argues that psychopaths are born with these traits, and a stable upbringing will not change their essential characteristics. However, he suggests that parenting and social background can affect how psychopathy expresses itself in adulthood. Psychopaths from a stable environment will never have a “conscience” but are less likely to become violent criminals than those from less fortunate backgrounds.

Throughout the book, the author emphasizes the importance of the accurate diagnosis of psychopathy based on thorough clinical assessment. He argues that, ultimately, society must find a more effective way of managing and treating psychopathy in communities. Therapy has, thus far, proved unsuccessful in treating psychopaths, as they do not wish to change their behavior, although they may pretend to be rehabilitated. Consequently, Hare has developed a treatment program that focuses on convincing psychopathic prisoners that their behavior is not in their best interest. The treatment aims to teach psychopaths to channel their urges into more socially acceptable behaviors.

Hare warns of the development of a “camouflage society” that tolerates and even rewards psychopaths. He points to the ruthlessly violent culture of criminal gangs where psychopaths can hide in plain sight, becoming role models for children. The author offers tips on protecting oneself from becoming the victim of a psychopath. He advises remaining vigilant when meeting new people, focusing on what they say and not how they appear, and trying to verify their claims. He also recommends self-knowledge of one’s vulnerabilities, as a psychopath will inevitably try to exploit them. Those already in relationships with psychopaths, such as parents and spouses, should focus on damage limitation. Hare advises seeking professional help, joining support groups, and establishing firm ground rules for behavior.