Book Summary of The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime

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The new evil: Understanding the emergence of modern violent crime is written by two authors; Michael H. Stone and Brucato. Michael Stone is an American psychiatrist and teaches clinical psychiatry (‘Michael H. Stone’, 2019). This author has received recognition for his refining of the concept of psychopathy and has also provided support to the need for flexibility in the therapeutic approach for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Stone also received an award from the American Academy of Psychoanalysis in 2017, for his paper which described treatment recommendations for individuals with borderline personality disorder (‘Michael H. Stone’, 2019). Furthermore, Stone developed 22-point gradations of the Evil scale which is structured for the examination of the acts of violence involved in the provocation of the emotional reaction associated referred to as ‘evil’ (‘Michael H. Stone’, 2019). He has authored 12 other books and 250 articles in professional journals. Based on his experience and training, Stone presents valuable insight within this book (‘Michael H. Stone’, 2019).

The second author alongside Stone is Dr. Gary Brucato. Brucato is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, and an author who has specialized in psychotic illness, and violent crime with the inclusion of mass, spree, and serial murder (‘Gary Brucato, Ph.D.’, 2019). He is involved in the clinical evaluation and grant-funded research of individuals who experience early psychotic symptoms (‘Gary Brucato, Ph.D.’, 2019). Brucato has been known for his development of novel screening measures for violence and his analysis of different motivations for acts of mass murder. Hence, his skills and expertise in psychopathology, personality assessment, and psychological assessment have been critical for the presentation of ideas within the book.

Background Information

The New Evil provides insightful discussions regarding the gradation of evil, the different categories of murder, and their historical increase. Without exception, facts and figures indicate an increase in the level of violent crime across the country. There has been a steady elevation in violent crime with an expectation that this trend will only increase in the future. This is mainly linked to issues such as an increase in personality disorders such as anxiety, elevated drug abuse, and an inability to properly treat any development disorder that may act as a base for violent crime. Murder rates are far higher than they have been in the last two decades along with a significant rise in the level of rape incidents, robberies, and assaults (Walker, 2017). As violence appears to become a part of the national mythology, there exists a need for an understanding of the base behind violent crime within the country. America has become more dangerous with higher rates of violent crimes than observed in neighboring countries. These high levels of violent crimes have compromised the physical safety and psychological well-being of individuals.

There is no single way that exists or the definition, classification, and measurement of the domain of violent behavior and violent crimes. Despite the apparent trend of an increase in the level of violent crimes across the year, determining which behaviors can be regarded as violent is viewed as difficult (Walby et al., 2015). This is because what is considered a violent crime highly depends on the social determinants of what is viewed as constituting violence. These social perspectives of violent behavior shift constantly and experience changes both on a temporal and organizational basis. Social constructions of violent behavior that have undergone institutionalization within the criminal law are viewed differently in other systems. Hence, a need exists for the provision of credible information that a professional can relate to while being simple enough for outsiders to read and enjoy.

More than ever, people have gained an interest in understanding personality disorders, their differences and how they affect the people around them (Walker, 2017). There is also a need for awareness of how changes in culture across time affect the behaviors of individuals and impact the existence of violent crime. The book fills this gap by providing comprehensive information regarding personality disorders and presenting distinctions between psychosis, psychopathy, sadism, and narcissism.

Book Organization

Within the book, each chapter is structured to stand alone while also complementing another chapter before and after it. The structure of the book mainly flows around the Stone’s created classification system referred to as Gradients of Evil. This is a measure used for the definition and classification of different serious violent offenders based on significant attributes. As with the 22-point continuum within the scale, there are twenty categories of violent crime discussed within the book. Hence, the book is organized around the morality of the main motivations of different crimes or repeated criminal acts. This involves a start with criminal motivations that can be justified to criminal motivations that have no basis for the level of cruelty that is involved. The content is structured to present violent crimes from least severe to most severe. As the authors follow the scale, they begin with a discussion of crime that exists within the lower limits on the scale and move to the upper limits of the scale. For instance, there is variance indicated between homicides based on self-defense, or feeling helpless in the face of abuse and those who commit crimes as a way to conceal crimes that have already been committed. As the book comes to an end, there is a detailed evaluation of violent crimes at the end of the scale which is violent behaviors based on sadistic desires to inflict prolonged pain on several victims.

Book Summary

General Summary

The New Evil provides a detailed hierarchy of evil behavior with the use of several cases as examples of categories along the continuum. This involves the presentation of well-based evidence, that for almost seventy years, there has been an emergence of specific types of violent crime that were not as prevalent before. The authors engage in the examination of the biological and psychiatric aspects that act as a platform for violent crimes such as serial murders, rape incidents, tortures, mass and spree murders, and other severe forms of violence. The book engages in an assessment of the impact of various environmental factors such as new technology, sociological aspects, cultural factors, and historical factors since the 1960s which may have created a solid base for ‘The New Evil’. This complemented by an explanation of how personality, psychosis, and other qualities significantly contributive to specific crimes, resulting in varying motives by different individuals involved. While based on Stone’s Gradient of Evil classification system, the book presents a clear definition of different violent crimes with the inclusion of distinct examples to enhance the understanding of each definition.

Chapter summaries

1st Chapter

The first chapter engages in the introduction to the gradation of the evil scale. There is a brief breakdown of the 22-point scale which ranges from justified homicide to torture. This chapter acts as a brief overview of what the rest of the chapters will look like. The reader is introduced to the scale and how it is used. There is also a presentation of ideas and beliefs regarding what happens within the mind of a serial killer. There is a further statement of the value of Dr. Stone’s scale in the comprehension of murderers. Lastly, the chapter makes it clear that the scale can only be applied in peaceful environments.

2nd Chapter

The second chapter assesses the first six categories within the evil scale. The first category is based on justifiable homicide or killing in self-defense and involves the assessment of the different motivations of these crimes. The next five categories involve an exploration of impulsive murders in individuals that do not have psychopathic characteristics. In this case, the second chapter involves jealous lovers, and immature individuals who commit crimes of passion, while the third category assesses those who have antisocial characteristics and display a willingness to assist other killers. Those who kill in self-defense but also display extreme provocation towards their victims are covered within the fourth category. The fifth category addresses desperate individuals who have been exposed to trauma and who kill other individuals but are remorseful. The authors explore impetuous murderers who do not possess psychopathic features.

3rd Chapter

The third chapter involves an assessment of the seventh and eighth categories within the scale. This chapter mainly covers violent crime is that of individuals with minimal psychopathic traits yet conduct highly sever murders. The seventh category covers individuals with high levels of narcissism who murder individuals next to them and mainly motivated by jealousy. The authors also demonstrate how narcissistic behaviors result in criminal actions. The eighth category, on the other hand, addresses non-psychopathic individuals with high levels of rage which also acts as their main motivation for killing. This also includes how rage is ignited. Hence, through a look at the middle level of the scale. The third chapter also shows the difference between psychopathic and narcissistic tendencies.

4th Chapter

The fourth chapter covers category 9 to 14 within the evil scale. These six categories involve individuals with psychopathic features who commit violent crimes and show malicious thoughts after the act (Stone et al., 2019). The ninth category revolves around jealous lovers that have strong psychopathic traits or are full-blown psychopaths. This is followed by the tenth that discusses killers that are extremely egocentric and kill individuals they believe to be in the way. An example of this is provided in the form of Susan Smith, who drowned her two kids. The eleventh category explores killers that are full psychopaths and murder those they believe cause interference. Stone et al. (2019) also assess psychopaths focus on obtaining power who only murder when there is no other option. The last two categories within this chapter look at angry psychopaths who at times commit several murders and self-centered psychopaths who structure schemes when it comes to murders and killing others.

5th Chapter

The fifth chapter covers the fifteenth and sixteenth categories. This involves a look at multiple murders in which the killers are found to have psychopath traits. The fifteenth category defines killers who are psychopaths and commit several murders. This also includes the assessment of the psychopathic tendencies of these killers. This is illustrated through the example of the murder of Sharon Tate. On the other hand, the sixteenth category addresses psychopathic individuals who commit several vicious acts. Some examples of these extremely violent acts include murder.

6th Chapter

The sixth chapter mainly involves an assessment of serial murder. This mainly involves the definition of serial killers, torturers, and sadists. Dr. Stone gets involved in the discussion of the increase in the frequency of serial murders since the 1960s. This involves a highlight of the various cultural, psychological and philosophical factors which have been highly contributive to this trend. There are several examples of serial murders and factors that may have contributed to their actions. Serial killers are defined based on their different characteristics and the environments around them. In general, this chapter is mainly focused on the high rates of serial murders within the country and the factors behind them.

7th Chapter

The seventh chapter mainly assesses the seventeenth category. Within this category, the authors provide a look at serial killers with sexual perversions. However, these killers do not engage in the torturing of their victims (Stone et al., 2019). An example used within this chapter is that of the son of Sam. Rape is identified as being the main motivation for violent crimes. The killers then engage in the murder of their victims as a way to hide the evidence of their acts. Hence, this is an assessment of how sexual desires can affect violent tendencies in individuals.

8th Chapter

In this chapter, the reader gains a look at torture-murderers. In this case, the torture element is not prolonged. This is the eighteenth category and involves a discussion of torture-murderers with psychopathic behaviors. The authors illustrate how murder acts as the central motivation for their violent acts. Hence, due to their focus on murder, torture is not extensive. This is unlike torture murderers whose main motivation is torturing their victims. The authors also explore the specific psychopathic tendencies that result in this form of violent behavior.

9th Chapter

The ninth chapter takes a look at the 19th to 21st categories within the evil scale. This involves the discussion of psychopaths who are motivated toward terrorist and intimidating acts. It also assesses torture-murderers who have distinct psychosis disorders, such as schizophrenia. This involves a brief description and a clear explanation of these psychosis disorders. There is a further discussion of psychopaths who commit extreme torture. These types of individuals are placed within the 21st category as they only torture their victims but do not commit. Therefore, extreme torture is presented as the main motivation for their violent acts.

10th Chapter

In this chapter, the authors, discuss torture-murderers who also psychopaths. This involves a look at how torture is their main motivation. In a large number of cases, the crimes have a sexual motivating factor. However, there is a further statement that sexual desires are not necessarily always involved (Stone et al., 2019). This involves a look at murderers such as John Gacy (Clown) and Jeffry Dahmer (cannibal). An extensive assessment of the Black Dahlia case is also conducted. This was the murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947.

11th Chapter

Within this chapter, the authors present an algorithm that facilitates the utilization of the scale. This is algorithm is simplified for easy understanding by the reader. The authors clearly explain how the algorithm can be utilized. This involves a step-by-step proves for its application. It also highlights the significance of the algorithm in determining the appropriate ranking for offenders within the scale. This way, the authors emphasize the scale as a significant tool in criminal psychology. Readers are also provided with an opportunity to categorize violent crimes using the algorithm.

12th Chapter

There is an assessment of the cultural changes which impact the patterns of violence. This is mainly a look at how the cultural environment affects an individual psychological structure. This involves how shifts within the cultural environment can prompt a change in behavior within individuals. This way, basic questions are addressed as to ways in which some actions by individuals may be considered as evil. Cultural factors are presented as a motivating factor for violent crimes. Hence, based on the conclusion presented, the cultural environment can be structured to facilitate better psychological health. The

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