A Violent Heart - by Gregory K Moffatt (Paperback)

About the Book

Why are some people violent and aggressive while others are not? Where do these negative emotions and actions come from? What can be done to prevent dangerous behavior? Drawing upon years of research and experience as a therapist, lecturer, and consultant to law enforcement and business, Moffatt presents a broad perspective on the psychological and sociological roots of aggression. Using both case studies and theoretical constructs from several different fields, this work provides an overview of the diverse mix of factors that create individuals with a propensity to resort to violence. Topics include domestic violence, the violent child, mass murder, terrorism, serial killing, murder for hire, and hate crimes. Moffatt also details the growing phenomena of road rage, air rage, and sports rage.

Avoiding complex psychological jargon, Moffatt helps the general reader to understand and easily apply these concepts. He also addresses intervention techniques and deterrents to criminal behavior, ranging from rehabilitation, to revised prison sentencing, to the death penalty. Stories of successful intervention and recovery round out the volume.

Book Synopsis

Why are some people violent and aggressive while others are not? Where do these negative emotions and actions come from? What can be done to prevent dangerous behavior? Drawing upon years of research and experience as a therapist, lecturer, and consultant to law enforcement and business, Moffatt presents a broad perspective on the psychological and sociological roots of aggression. Using both case studies and theoretical constructs from several different fields, this work provides an overview of the diverse mix of factors that create individuals with a propensity to resort to violence. Topics include domestic violence, the violent child, mass murder, terrorism, serial killing, murder for hire, and hate crimes. Moffatt also details the growing phenomena of road rage, air rage, and sports rage.

Avoiding complex psychological jargon, Moffatt helps the general reader to understand and easily apply these concepts. He also addresses intervention techniques and deterrents to criminal behavior, ranging from rehabilitation, to revised prison sentencing, to the death penalty. Stories of successful intervention and recovery round out the volume.

Review Quotes

"...Providing many gory details of crimes, this book is recommended for those interested in past and current criminal cases involving violent individuals. All levels." --Choice

"...With a smooth blend of intelligent analysis and lurid, true-crime stories, Moffat creates a stimulating arena for the study of violent behavior....[T]his book reinforces the value of offering meaningful engagements and relationships to adolescents. It is good reading and particularly revealing for those readers in a position to touch the lives of adolescents." --Voya

"...Moffat presents a broad perspective on the psychological and sociological roots of aggression. Using both case studies and theoretical constructs from several different fields, this work provides an overview of the diverse mix of factors that create individuals with a propensity to resort to violence." --Adolescence

About the Author

GREGORY K. MOFFATT has been a college professor for 19 years and a private practice therapist, specializing in children, since 1987. He has addressed hundreds of audiences, including law enforcement professionals, parenting groups, and schools on the topic of homicide risk assessment and regularly lectures at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia. He is a Diplomat with the American College of Forensic Examiners. He writes a regular newspaper column addressing families and children and consults with businesses on violence risk assessment and prevention.