Books

Criminally-Minded (Pizitz, 2009, VDM Publishing)

Crime and victimization are not new phenomenon. Why some can walk amongst us and violate and perpetrate others can be baffling and lead clinicians, law enforcement officials and the courts to wonder why such crimes occur. This book focuses on four types of criminal offenders: Drug and Alcohol Offenders, Adolescent Sexual Offenders, Adult Sexual Offenders, and Female Psychopaths. The contributing authors’ extensive experience is captured in this book and offers the reader an informative and thoughtful perspective on each offending population. Hallie Ben-Horin, Ph.D. delves into the world of female psychopaths and her extensive research into the field psychopathy and women is intriguing and comprehensive. Michael Stanfill, MA provides a complete review of adolescent sexual offenders and his work offers a thorough exploration of this juvenile phenomenon. Finally, Todd Pizitz, Ph.D. offers an informative discussion on Adult Sexual Offenders and Alcohol and Drug Offenders utilizing a uniquely experiential foundation based on his work as a forensic psychologist. This book is the first in a series of books on criminal offenders.

Detection of Malingered Mild Head Injury (Pizitz & Viglione, 2009, VDM Publishing)

In the pursuit of diagnostic efficiency, theoretical or conceptual explanations can be useful in maximizing classification of malingered syndromes. To improve upon the existing understanding and detection of malingered mild head injury, a means of conceptualizing and providing a framework to explain this increasing phenomenon is necessary. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize patterns of responding akin to the notion that malingerers endorse more atypical symptoms, over endorse symptoms related to the disease or disorder, and endorse many symptoms that are unrelated to the actual disorder they are attempting to malinger. The results demonstrated significant differences (p<.001) between groups in the identification of patterns of malingering of neuropsychological complaints and impairment following a mild head injury. There were 114 male and female participants: mild head-injured patients (n=38), simulators (n=38), and control participants (n=38). Results demonstrated significant differences (p<.001) between groups in the identification of patterns of malingering.

MMPI-2 Profiles of Male Stalkers (Kropp & Pizitz, 2009, VDM Publishing)Detection of Malingered Mild Head Injury (Pizitz & Viglione, 2009, VDM Publishing)

Stalking is a potentially lethal crime that has significantly affected millions. The present study attempted to explore the dynamics of stalking by evaluating the personality structures of male stalking perpetrators utilizing the MMPI-2. The MMPI-2 profiles of male stalkers were compared to a control group of males from the normal population matched on age, ethnicity, and educational background. The differences of the clinical and validity scales T score means on the MMPI-2 were analyzed using one-way ANOVAs. Based on the statistical analysis, the male stalkers’ obtained higher scores on Scales Pd, Pa, and F and the differences in means were statistically significant. The stalking group’s scores on Scales Hs, D, Hy, Pt, and Sc where also significant at the p<.05 level, while the T scores of the non-stalking group obtained significance on Scale K at the p<.05 level. The results indicated that male stalkers may experience more interpersonal distress and, in times of stress, become more irritated, aggressive and manipulative than the matched sample.