The fact that in the wild, animals have the capacity to be impulsively aggressive and antisocial leads one to believe that the cause of psychopathy may be genetic. If it were, the amygdala would most likely play an imperative role, considering that it is responsible for responding to emotional expressions and is critical for stimulus-reinforcement learning. Additionally, the amygdala is involved in the act of associating stimuli with punishment and rewards.
A large amount of abnormalities have been found in the brains of psychopathic people, like impairment of the prefrontal cortex, the brain's gray matter, the brain's white mater, and the limbic system. However, there have not been any homogeneous abnormalities that have occurred enough to be spotted as a trend. As of now, psychopathic characteristics are chalked off to neurobiological and genetic factors, as well a specific person's role in society.
That leads us to the discussion of nature verses nurture. Are all psychopaths inherently amoral people? Is it possible for a psychopath to lead an honest productive life? If someone is at risk to be a psychopath can it be more possible that they will become one if they suffer through an abusive childhood? Because of the fact that psychopathy is not usually diagnosed in children, there are no definitive answers to these questions. Experts have been able to point out psychopathic tendencies in children, but it seems as though no one is sure what to do with these children. More conclusive research or perhaps a long term study involving early intervention could clear up some issues. It is believed that there are two similar personality disorders, psychopath and sociopath. Psychopaths are born with impulsivity, fearlessness and are harder to arouse. Sociopaths, on the other hand have normal temperaments and it is believed that their antisocial behavior stems from the environment. Psychopathy leans towards the hereditary.
If psychopathic tendencies are recognized in childhood they will be diagnosed as conduct disorder. However, not all children with conduct disorder necessarily grow up to be psychopaths. Regardless, childhood diagnoses of conduct disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder are highly correlated with adult psychopathy. As one may assume, children that demonstrate psychopathic precursors have no regard for punishment, and nothing can seem to improve their undesirable behavior. Having three of the following indicators are sufficient proof that a child may grow up to be a psychopath: animal abuse or violence towards smaller children, pathological fire starting, lying for seemingly no reason, theft and truancy, and aggression to peers that can extend to psychological torment for their victim.
From an uneducated outsider's perspective, it may seem to make sense that a psychopath might have an additional mental condition. However, any reasonable psychologist will point out that most people suffering from mental condition are extremely aware of their own emotions and the emotions of the people around them. Therefore, comorbitity among psychopaths is generally found to be low. But, as with most other issues that concern psychopaths, the data collected here is inconclusive due to their tendency to lie and manipulate therapists and researchers, their lack of motivation to participate in studies, and the hesitation that potential researchers might feel about working with them, considering the danger.
A large amount of abnormalities have been found in the brains of psychopathic people, like impairment of the prefrontal cortex, the brain's gray matter, the brain's white mater, and the limbic system. However, there have not been any homogeneous abnormalities that have occurred enough to be spotted as a trend. As of now, psychopathic characteristics are chalked off to neurobiological and genetic factors, as well a specific person's role in society.
That leads us to the discussion of nature verses nurture. Are all psychopaths inherently amoral people? Is it possible for a psychopath to lead an honest productive life? If someone is at risk to be a psychopath can it be more possible that they will become one if they suffer through an abusive childhood? Because of the fact that psychopathy is not usually diagnosed in children, there are no definitive answers to these questions. Experts have been able to point out psychopathic tendencies in children, but it seems as though no one is sure what to do with these children. More conclusive research or perhaps a long term study involving early intervention could clear up some issues. It is believed that there are two similar personality disorders, psychopath and sociopath. Psychopaths are born with impulsivity, fearlessness and are harder to arouse. Sociopaths, on the other hand have normal temperaments and it is believed that their antisocial behavior stems from the environment. Psychopathy leans towards the hereditary.
If psychopathic tendencies are recognized in childhood they will be diagnosed as conduct disorder. However, not all children with conduct disorder necessarily grow up to be psychopaths. Regardless, childhood diagnoses of conduct disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder are highly correlated with adult psychopathy. As one may assume, children that demonstrate psychopathic precursors have no regard for punishment, and nothing can seem to improve their undesirable behavior. Having three of the following indicators are sufficient proof that a child may grow up to be a psychopath: animal abuse or violence towards smaller children, pathological fire starting, lying for seemingly no reason, theft and truancy, and aggression to peers that can extend to psychological torment for their victim.
From an uneducated outsider's perspective, it may seem to make sense that a psychopath might have an additional mental condition. However, any reasonable psychologist will point out that most people suffering from mental condition are extremely aware of their own emotions and the emotions of the people around them. Therefore, comorbitity among psychopaths is generally found to be low. But, as with most other issues that concern psychopaths, the data collected here is inconclusive due to their tendency to lie and manipulate therapists and researchers, their lack of motivation to participate in studies, and the hesitation that potential researchers might feel about working with them, considering the danger.
About the Author:
Mallory Nocks works for a nationalcollection agency. Having trouble debt collecting those court judgements? Contact us today.
No comments:
Post a Comment