Throughout this class the topic of empathy has been examined quite thoroughly, however there was no insight into how a lack of empathy may impact a person. The ability to feel empathy in some sort of capacity is relatively common throughout the world. However, there are some people who are unable to empathize with others, these individuals are classified as “psychopaths”. Psychopaths are people who experience a distinct lack of empathy and emotional connection along with other symptoms that cause antisocial behavior. The goals of a psychopath may be drastically different from a “normal” person as a result of their lack of empathy and emotion. Therefore their antisocial behavior will more often than not lead them to violence in order to get what they want (Blair). Many people who suffer from psychopathy have a history of violence and criminal activity as a result of that violent history. Based on current research, many psychopaths are entered into the criminal justice system because of their actions and behavior. This criminal activity may be caused by poor decision making that is another commonly seen symptom of psychopathy (Hosking). Lack of empathy in these individuals who exhibit psychopathy may be contributed to brain activity that is different from the activity in a “normal” person’s brain who has the ability to display empathy for others. Part of this may be because of what are called “mirror neurons” that may help people with regular brain activity exhibit empathy by mirroring others (Fecteau). There are many different brain structures that contribute to the symptoms seen in individuals with psychopathy. These are often referred to as the “paralimbic system” becauses it comprises of brain structures from the limbic and paralimbic regions (Kiehl). A difference in a very specific structure may be a main contributor to the psychopathy. This structure is the amygdala, the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling emotions. Analyzing the different ways the amygdala responds to certain stimuli may reveal more information as to why psychopathic traits arise (Carré). Another possible reason for psychopathic traits is the way an individual was raised. If, as a child, there were cases of abuse or a difficult home life with very little emotion and care shown towards the individual then that makes it difficult for the child to properly develop their emotions and their ability to connect with others (Gao). All of this preliminary research into the topic of psychopaths raises many questions. Each source has a slightly different question at issue but they all relate back to the same topic; the symptoms and traits of psychopathy and what might be causing it. These varying points of focus all lead to a few main questions to try and answer. What are the causes of the lack of empathy in psychopaths? Is there a way to alter the empathy pathways through therapies or medications to allow them to feel empathy? If so, would it be beneficial to the individual and society? By answering these critical questions one can gain a deeper insight to the mind of psychopaths and what causes them to exhibit these traits. Along with that it may provide more directions for research and discovery regarding how to help psychopaths start to exhibit empathy and less violent behavior. If this can be treated it may lead to better lives for the psychopaths and less altercations with the law.
Works Cited
Blair, R.J.R. “The Amygdala and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Morality and Psychopathy.”Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 11, no. 9, Sept. 2007, pp. 387–392., doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2007.07.003.
Carré, Justin M., et al. “The Neural Signatures of Distinct Psychopathic Traits.” Social Neuroscience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4709124/.
Fecteau, Shirley, et al. “Psychopathy and the Mirror Neuron System: Preliminary Findings from a Non-Psychiatric Sample.” Psychiatry Research, Elsevier, 2 July 2008, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178107003101?via%3Dihub.
Gao, Yu, et al. “The Neurobiology of Psychopathy: A Neurodevelopmental Perspective .” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Sage Journals, 1 Dec. 2009, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/070674370905401204?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed&#articleCitationDownloadContainer
Hosking, Jay G, et al. “Disrupted Prefrontal Regulation of Striatal Subjective Value Signals in Psychopathy.” Neuron, Cell Press, 5 July 2017, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627317305548?via%3Dihub.
Kiehl, Kent A. “A Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective on Psychopathy: Evidence for Paralimbic System Dysfunction.” Psychiatry Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 June 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2765815/.