📖 Overview
Kent Kiehl is a neuroscientist and psychopathy researcher known for his groundbreaking work studying the brains of incarcerated individuals. As a professor of psychology, neuroscience and law at the University of New Mexico, he has conducted some of the largest neuroscience studies of criminal populations.
His research focuses on using brain imaging techniques, particularly fMRI, to understand the neurological basis of psychopathy and antisocial behavior. Kiehl developed mobile brain scanning units that could be brought into prisons, allowing him to gather unprecedented data from incarcerated populations.
The findings from his research have contributed significantly to understanding how psychopaths' brains differ from those of non-psychopaths, particularly in areas related to emotion processing and decision-making. His 2014 book "The Psychopath Whisperer" details his experiences studying psychopaths and presents his research findings to a general audience.
Kiehl serves as the director of Mobile Imaging Core and Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience at the Mind Research Network. His work has been funded by major organizations including the National Institute of Mental Health, and he has published extensively in leading scientific journals.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Kiehl's accessible explanation of complex neuroscience and his first-hand accounts of working with incarcerated psychopaths. Many reviews highlight his balance of scientific research with engaging storytelling.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of brain science and psychopathy research
- Personal anecdotes from prison interviews
- Objective, research-based approach without sensationalism
- Detailed case studies and examples
What readers disliked:
- Technical sections can be dense for non-scientific readers
- Some repetition of concepts and examples
- Limited discussion of treatment options
- Focus mainly on male subjects
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.4/5 (580+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Kiehl presents complex neurological concepts in ways anyone can understand." Another criticized: "Too much emphasis on brain scans, not enough on real-world applications."
The book appeals most to readers interested in forensic psychology and neuroscience rather than true crime enthusiasts.
📚 Books by Kent Kiehl
The Psychopath Whisperer: The Science of Those Without Conscience (2014)
A scientific examination of criminal psychopathy based on Kiehl's research using brain imaging on prison inmates, including interviews with notorious psychopaths.
When Your Child Is a Psychopath (2017) An exploration of juvenile psychopathy through case studies and neuroscientific research, focusing on early identification and intervention possibilities.
The Criminal Brain: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime (2006) A technical analysis of the neurobiological basis of criminal behavior, examining how brain structure and function relate to antisocial conduct.
Mind Reading: A Scientific Investigation of How We Learn to Know Others (2018) A detailed look at the neuroscience behind human ability to understand others' mental states, combining research data with real-world applications.
When Your Child Is a Psychopath (2017) An exploration of juvenile psychopathy through case studies and neuroscientific research, focusing on early identification and intervention possibilities.
The Criminal Brain: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime (2006) A technical analysis of the neurobiological basis of criminal behavior, examining how brain structure and function relate to antisocial conduct.
Mind Reading: A Scientific Investigation of How We Learn to Know Others (2018) A detailed look at the neuroscience behind human ability to understand others' mental states, combining research data with real-world applications.
👥 Similar authors
Adrian Raine focuses on the biological basis of criminal behavior and wrote extensively about brain imaging studies of psychopaths. His research examines similar themes to Kiehl's work on neuroscience and psychopathy.
James Fallon combines neuroscience research with personal narrative after discovering his own brain scan matched patterns seen in psychopaths. He explores psychopathy through both a scientific and autobiographical lens.
Robert D. Hare developed the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) used to assess psychopathy in clinical and forensic settings. His work laid the foundation for much of the modern research on psychopathy that Kiehl builds upon.
Simon Baron-Cohen researches empathy and its relationship to antisocial behavior from a neuroscience perspective. His work examines how differences in brain structure and function relate to empathy deficits.
David Eagleman studies the intersection of neuroscience and criminal behavior, including how brain differences influence behavior and legal responsibility. He explores many of the same questions about free will, responsibility, and the biological basis of behavior that appear in Kiehl's work.
James Fallon combines neuroscience research with personal narrative after discovering his own brain scan matched patterns seen in psychopaths. He explores psychopathy through both a scientific and autobiographical lens.
Robert D. Hare developed the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) used to assess psychopathy in clinical and forensic settings. His work laid the foundation for much of the modern research on psychopathy that Kiehl builds upon.
Simon Baron-Cohen researches empathy and its relationship to antisocial behavior from a neuroscience perspective. His work examines how differences in brain structure and function relate to empathy deficits.
David Eagleman studies the intersection of neuroscience and criminal behavior, including how brain differences influence behavior and legal responsibility. He explores many of the same questions about free will, responsibility, and the biological basis of behavior that appear in Kiehl's work.