Sociopathic Tendencies: Inevitably Present In our Genetic Makeup

1137 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Role of attachment in infant attachment

A personality described as “charming”, “friendly”, and “sympathetic” on the outside can be picked apart to discover a horrific truth—a human being lacking a conscience to the point of being able to lie without guilt—one who lacks the capacity to feel emotion. This person cannot create relationships, for he does not know happiness, empathy, or love. Yet he walks among society, seemingly having the world wrapped around his finger. This person is a sociopath; a coldblooded manipulator. A fascination in these beings has brought forth various tests, experiments, and studies—all to determine whether these sociopathic tendencies are an inevitable part of nature, or a preventable product of nurture. While existing evidence supports one’s upbringing and culture as factors in determining personality, stronger evidence, including the heritability of personality traits, proves genetics to be the source of sociopathic tendencies. The concepts of nature and nurture have long been fascinations for the human being. Perhaps fearful of their own nature, humans seek to determine whether their personalities are inevitable or moldable. In the case of sociopathy, there are various views. In support of sociopathy as a product of nurture, scientists and psychologists cite cases of attachment disorder—acquired by infants who lack a stable caretaker in their early years, and thus have troubles forming functional relationships later on. Others cite evidence from the impacts of cultural differences or acquired frontal-lobe brain injuries on the development of sociopathic tendencies. While these views are moderately subjective, studies using sociopathic paternal and fraternal twins offer more convincing and objective information regarding the origin... ... middle of paper ... ...hed into the human being. Studies have emerged supporting nurture as the source of sociopathy—they are, however, mere lifelines to which humans cling to—a false source of hope as the truth is denied. Legitimate studies, accompanied by analysis and reasoning, prove nature—genetics—to be the origin of sociopathy. Works Cited “Elsevier; An Underlying Cause for Psychopathic Behavior?” Mental Health Weekly Digest 10 May 2010: n. pag. ProQuest Central K12. Web. 5 Feb. 2012. Hare, Robert D. Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us. N.p.: The Guilford Press, 1999. Google Book Search. Web. 5 Feb. 2012. Magid, Ken, and Caroline A. Mckelvey. High Risk: Children Without a Conscience. N.p.: Bantam, 1988. Google Book Search. Web. 2 Feb. 2012. Stout, Martha. The Sociopath Next Door. N.p.: Broadway Books, 2005. Google Book Search. Web. 5 Feb. 2012.

Show More
Related

  • Diagnosing Psychopathy: The Triarchic Model by Christopher J. Patrick

    2026 Words  | 5 Pages

    Psychopathy has fascinated the public for years due to the gruesome and evil portrayal it has received in the media. Psychopathy is defined in the DSM-III as a personality disorder characterized by enduring antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and disinhibited or bold behavior (Patrick, Christopher, Fowles, Krueger, Rober, 2009). Psychopathy represents a cluster of different dimensions of personality found amongst the general population to varying degrees (Patrick et al, 2009). The diagnostic definition is meant to be applied to adults, however psychopathology can occur in children. Controversy surrounds the topic of childhood mental illness because the brain is not fully developed until the age of 18; thus allowing the possibility that symptoms are the result of growing up and will change. The triarchic model, formulated by Christopher J. Patrick, is the most commonly used model in diagnosing adult and childhood psychopathy. This model suggests that different conceptions of psychopathy emphasize three observable characteristics to varying degrees; boldness, disinhibition and meanness (Patrick, et al, 2009). Boldness is the first observable characteristic and is comprised of low fear including stress-tolerance, toleration of unfamiliarity and danger, and high self-confidence and social assertiveness. Disinhibition; characterized by poor impulse control including problems with planning and foresight, lacking affect and urge control, demand for immediate gratification, and poor behavioral restraints. Meanness is defined as lacking empathy and close attachments with others, disdain of close attachments, use of cruelty to gain empowerment, exploitative tendencies, defiance of authority, and destructive excitement seek...

    Read More

  • Pieces of the Psychopathic Brain

    1117 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations website, psychopathy has been described as the single most important clinical construct in the criminal justice system. It goes on to say that the need to understand psychopathy cannot be overstated (FBI, 2013.) From environmental influence to biology, psychopathy can be looked at from several different angles. This paper examines current thinking about how the brain and its structures contribute to psychopathy.

    Read More

  • Case Study Of Ted Bundy

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hare used these core factors to develop the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised assessment tool that helps detect psychopathy in people. They developed this theory because psychopathic behavior was thought of as miscellaneous of a topic to be categorized in one or two factors. The four recommended factors proposed by Hare and Neumann are: Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle and Antisocial. The first factor, interpersonal consists of superficial charm, manipulation, pathological lying, and a grandiose sense of self-worth. Secondly, the affective factor involves the lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect, callous and/or lack of empathy, and failure to accept responsibility for own actions. The third factor is lifestyle, which comprises of need for stimulation and/or proneness to boredom, parasitic lifestyle, impulsivity, irresponsibility, unsatisfactory work habits, and lack of realistic long-term goals. Finally the fourth factor is antisocial and contains poor behavioral controls, early behavior problems, juvenile delinquency, criminal versatility, and revocation of conditional release (Hare & Neumann, 2005, p.58-59). According to Hare and Neumann “The 4 psychopathy factors are significantly interrelated, and thus can be comprehensively explained by a single superordinate (that is, psychopathy) factor.” (Hare, R. D., & Neumann, C. S.

    Read More

  • A Critique on "The Sociopath Next Door"

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    Down the street, in our workplaces, seemingly under our beds- Harvard Medical Professor Martha Stout’s Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless vs. The Rest of Us sends the reader into a state of frightful paranoia when she mentions that a staggering 1 in 25, 4%, persons is, in fact, a sociopath. A sociopath, as Stout asserts, is a person with the lack of a conscience, thus a person not concerned with the suffering of others, to worry only about itself. She goes on to tell us that, because the rate of sociopaths in our society is so high, we must have already met hundreds without knowing it, due to the elusive and enigmatic nature of this psychological disease.

    Read More

  • How Is Iago A Sociopath

    668 Words  | 2 Pages

    The sense of entitlement that comes with sociopathy is astonishing to those who abide by the social laws and conventions of our culture. Where does the entitlement come from? It stems from an underlying sense of rage. Sociopaths feel deeply angry and resentful underneath their often-charming exterior, and this rage fuels their sense that they have the right to act out in whichever way they happen to choose at the time. Everything is up for grabs with sociopaths and nothing is off limits. (Meyers)

    Read More

  • Psychopathy: Nature Vs. Nurture Debate

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    What causes psychopathy? This has been a major concern for many researchers. Research on psychopathy has sparked a debate that has been existent for years, which is the nature versus nurture debate. The proponents of both sides have each put forward credible evidences to support their positions. Proponents of the nature theory believe that psychopathy is innate. They hold the belief that psychopaths are born with the disorder. Hence, psychopathy is influenced by biological and hereditary factors. In contrast, opponents of the nature theory believe that a person’s personal experiences are the reasons for his or her exhibition of psychopathic characteristics. That is, a person with a defective childhood has a very high probability of displaying

    Read More

  • Is Criminal Behavior Determined Biologically?

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nature vs. nurture has been one of the oldest and most debated topics among psychologists over the years. This concept discusses whether a child is born into this world with their developmental work cut out for them or if a child is a “blank slate” and their experiences are what shape them into who they are. Over the years and plenty of research, psychologists have all mostly come to agree that it’s a little bit of both. Children are both born with some genetic predispositions while other aspects of the child’s development are strongly influenced by their surrounding environment. This plays into the criminal justice system when discussing where criminal behavior stems from. Is a criminal’s anti-social behavior just part of their DNA or is it a result of their upbringing? The answer to this question is not definite. Looking at research a strong argument can be made that criminals developed their anti-social patterns through the atmosphere in which they were raise, not their DNA.

    Read More

  • Without Conscience Chapter Summary

    1626 Words  | 4 Pages

    For my book report, I have read and evaluated Dr. Hales book titled Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us, published by The Guilford Press. The purpose of the book was to bring awareness to psychopaths that live among us and will be describe in farther details in the paper. I will evaluated the purpose, strengths, weakness of the book and include a summarized portion for others to understand.

    Read More

  • Serial Killers: Is Pure Evil Born or Made?

    1552 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many people with antisocial personality disorder are taught to have a lack of empathy in early childhood. There is a high number of serial killers with abusive pasts. Parents who abuse their children both mentally and physically at an early age are training their child to be cold and emotionless. Many killers suffered this fate at childhood and became heartless creatures with little to no remorse for their actions. In the article “What makes Serial Killers Tick?” it is said that Serial Killer Albert Desalvo was sold into slavery by his father and was sexually and physically abused for most of his you...

    Read More

  • The Zodiac Killer Case Study

    1751 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hare, Robert. D. (1993). Without conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us. Guilford Press.

    Read More

  • Essay On Criminal Psychopathy

    1579 Words  | 4 Pages

    A psychopath is someone who is unable to live harmoniously in society due to their profound lack of compassion, empathy, conscience, and remorse (Hare, 1993). Many psychopathic symptoms have been proposed to result from cognitive and emotional processing impairments. The concept of a psychopath is often of a ruthless and dangerous criminal, an image commonly depicted in the media and film. Though psychopaths do make up an estimated 40% of dangerous offenders in Canada, it is the non-violent manipulators and cheaters, like white-collar criminals and unethical business people, who can have the most impact on the general population (Bonta & Motiuk; 1996, Hare, 1993). Therefore, understanding the cognitive bases and development of psychopathy can allow exploration into possible interventions and treatments, as well as identifying measures for use in diagnosing psychopathy in childhood and adolescence. Additionally, the deciphering of abnormal processes can give insight into normal functioning, thus helping to expand current knowledge. This paper reviews conclusions that processing of

    Read More

  • Without Conscience by Robert D. Hare

    1924 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Without Conscience" by Robert D. Hare is one aimed towards making the general public aware of the many psychopaths that inhabit the world we live in. Throughout the book Hare exposes the reader to a number of short stories; all with an emphasis on a characteristic of psychopaths. Hare makes the claim that close monitoring of psychopathy are vital if we ever hope to gain a hold over Psychopathy- A disorder that affects not only the individual but also society itself. He also indicates one of the reasons for this book is order to correctly treat these individuals we have to be able to correctly identify who meets the criteria. His ultimate goal with the text is to alleviate some of the confusion in the increase in criminal activity by determining how my of this is a result of Psychopathy.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Psychopaths

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    The media most often showcases psychopaths as individuals who are inherently evil and dangerous towards themselves and others. Yet, this concept of psychopathy goes far beyond this idea of pure evil and instead necessitates a needed psychological understanding. These individuals, psychopaths, are generally characterized by a lack of empathy and conscience. Indeed, psychopath’s indifference to the repercussions of their actions combined with other characteristics such as hostility and aggression make for a potentially dangerous personality (Lyken, 1996, p.30). In order to identify a psychopath’s recidivism, it is important to differentiate them from sociopaths who, instead of having a psychological impairment that makes it difficult for them to socialize, have been systematically under socialized (Lyken, 1996, p.30). In accordance. psychologists have developed the methods such as the Psychopathy Checklist- Revised (PCL-R) to help identify those with psychopathic tendencies (Walters, 2012, p.409). That is why predictions of recidivism among psychopaths is most efficient when done

    Read More

  • The Craigslist Killer

    2058 Words  | 5 Pages

    Contrary to the movie industry’s portrayal of psychopaths, rarely do psychopaths come out in the open and kill their victims with chainsaws or wear disturbing masks. Nor do they act menacing or evil out in public. Rather, most psychopaths attempt to blend into society. A psychopath can be defined as one who uses superficial charm and manipulation to achieve his or her goals, even if it involves committing crimes. They can act quickly and feel neither remorse for committing the crime nor empathy for their unsuspecting victim. As much as they attempt to blend in, psychopaths are unable to fully function in society because they lack some qualities of a “normal” person. In the medical field, psychopathy is not recognized as a disorder. In fact, Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines psychopathy as an “obsolete term” (Venes and Taber 1372). In an effort to define psychopathy, multiple psychiatrists attempted to describe i...

    Read More

  • Nature versus Nurture: Criminal Behavior

    2165 Words  | 5 Pages

    Nature versus nurture has been argued in attempt to understand how criminals behave. The theory of what influences psychopath and serial killers’ violent and destructive pathways has not been agreed on till this day. Criminals such as psychopaths and serial killers have been researched for the past two decades. Scientists have found that genetics is a determining factor of who becomes a serial killer. It is important to understand the determinants involved within a serial killer, because if these social and environmental causes are discovered, they can be altered and controlled to reduce crime (Lykken, 1993). With more studies, we would therefore prevent mass murders and could assist in significant reductions of crime within society.

    Read More

More about Sociopathic Tendencies: Inevitably Present In our Genetic Makeup

Open Document