Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Summary/Response to Chapter Three of "The Psychopath Test" by Ronson

In Chapter Three of "The Psychopath Test" by Jon Ronson, he describes the techniques used by Psychiatrists in the treatment of psychopaths and schizophrenics, particularly in Kingsley Hall. He explains how the psychiatrists use controversial therapies to cure patients, specifically psychopaths, using LSD, naked therapy, and more. Paul Bindrim and Elliot Baker are among these psychiatrists that use this type of therapy that Ronson mentions. After their patients complete the program they are considered "cured" and let out into the world. As time progresses, reports come back on how the former patients condition has actually worsened and they continue to commit more crimes. One patient describes the program as helping him to become a better psychopath and "learn how to manipulate better"(p.88).

In this chapter I found the extreme therapies to be odd, unnecessary, and slightly embarrassing for the patients. I feel as though using the drug LSD was not effective nor was the naked therapy in curing patients. It can be arguable though that for drastic cases of psychopaths you would need drastic therapies in order to find a cure. I also found it interesting how the therapies ended up making the psychopaths condition worse. Also, it is interesting reading about how the psychopaths think and act.