Why Individuals Become Psychopaths - Research Paper Example

Why Individuals Become Psychopaths Why Individuals Become Psychopaths Introduction Our society is a combination of individuals with different kinds of personality traits. All these individuals differ from each other on the basis of their characteristics and their reactions towards certain things. However, out of all these types of individuals, psychopaths are considered to be the most dangerous ones. They have been termed the most dangerous because of their violent and damaging behavior which causes chaos around them. Psychopaths are hard to detect and identify because they seem normal and are technically sane. Various social scientists and researchers argue that the reasons behind individuals becoming psychopaths are environmental while some argue that these are biological reasons. Despite of these arguments, the causes behind individuals becoming psychopaths stay mixed. Psychopaths Psychopaths are individuals with a personality disorder. In psychological terms, these individuals lack emotions and the understanding based upon it. Linguistic abilities are also found in psychopaths. They do not possess complete understanding; the capacity to value moral rules in response of their actions (Damm, 2010). Psychopaths have a dominant anti-social behavior which is outlined by their maladaptive personality disorders. Despite of the fact that psychopaths are considered as dangerous and have a terrifying disorder, these individuals are not characterized as serial criminals. The offenses of psychopaths are different from other individuals and are majorly social and rarely legal (Fox, et al., 2013; Blair, et al., 2001). To note, there are different concepts and definitions defining psychopaths. Out of these, Cleckleyan psychopathy and Criminal psychopathy are the most notable ones. According to a few researchers, psychopathy and sociopathy have been differentiated from each other (Boccaccini, et al., 2008; Blair, 2001). The most common definition which defines psychopaths is that a psychopath is a person who has no feelings of emotion, guilt, remorse, or understanding in response to his own actions (Dutton, 2013). They do understand the difference between right and wrong but never apply them as they manipulative and cunning in their nature. They know about their actions and what they are doing as they are rational and logical too but due to their mental disorder they do not consider these emotions and perform lethal actions (Fox, et al., 2013; Stevens, et al., 2012). It is hard to identify psychopaths as they are very good at seeming normal. They can easily disguise themselves as they are neither concerned about their mental illness nor they undergo any delusions or hallucinations (Eisenbarth, et al., 2013). Because of this reason, psychopaths can be found in any profession especially at positions where they have authority and power and can easily build trust. These positions mainly include military, police force, and manager of an organization (Nickerson, 2014). However, they can be identified on the basis of their characteristics. However, there are certain environmental, biological and social factors that contribute towards the mental sickness of psychopaths. These factors are discussed below in this essay in a detailed manner (Kiehl & Buckholtz, 2010; Eisenbarth, et al., 2013). Behavior of Psychopaths It is important for others to identify psychopaths around them. As it has been aforementioned that it is quite complex to differentiate psychopaths from normal individuals, it has been studied that, these individuals show different characteristic and can be identified on these characteristics. It has been studied that psychopaths, during their young ages, demonstrate delinquent behavior. They also show remorse behavior and an absence of guilt (Ermer & Kiehl, 2010; Gao & Raine, 2010). Because of the lack of empathy, psychopaths hardly show any emotions towards deaths, trauma, or other related incidents (Juni, 2009). They exhibit conflicting behavior in response to the actions of other people. They possess above average IQs and also do not demonstrate impairment. They also display irresponsible use of the resources (company, home, friends etc.) while their behavior also includes philandering, conning, neglecting family, child abuse or spouse abuse (Stevens, et al., 2012). They are callous. Psychopaths either do not have any goals or if they do, then their goals are unachievable and impossible. They also reveal impulsive or irresponsible behavior (Shamay-Tsoory, 2010; Raine, et al., 2000). They can never listen to someone for accusing them and can never admit that they are wrong. They are declined in showing a humiliating behavior that sometimes results in a physical attack and even murders (Levy, 2011). They usually react to actions without even considering the results. Psychopaths also display egocentric behavior while they sometimes show narcissistic behavior. They are also poor at judgments and are unable to learn from past experiences (Juni, 2009). They are arrogant as well as charming. According to them they are the most superior and above the law individuals. They are poor at keeping promises as they only care about themselves and no one else (Harmer, et al., 2001; Hamilton, 2008). Why Individuals Become Psychopaths – Reasons and Causes. As it has been discussed that there are various arguments that tells why individuals become psychopaths; some believe that this is because of the environmental factors while some believe that it is because of the biological factors that individuals become psychopaths (Grieve & Panebianco, 2013). Few social researchers have also emphasized on the idea that social factors contribute towards this mental disorder (Gao & Raine, 2010; Fox, et al., 2013). Social scientists and doctors revealed that a part of psychopath’s brain relating to emotions is damaged. For this reason psychopaths are emotionally blank and demonstrate a remorse behavior and are quite dangerous (Ermer & Kiehl, 2010). Many behavioral geneticists believe that both environmental and biological factors contribute in making individuals psychopath. Some of them are born with this mental disorder while some develop it as they grow up (Eisenbarth, et al., 2013; Kiehl & Buckholtz, 2010). Biological / Genetic Various studies show that individuals become psychopaths because of the abnormal brain functioning. They usually display actions through which they can excite their nervous system. Such thrill seeking behavior is related to the abnormal brain functioning which is biological in nature (Dutton, 2013). These individuals do not care about the consequences and do not fear punishment. These biological factors which build up these mental disorders are because of various reasons in every individual. The brain of some psychopaths is built in such a manner that they are continuously in search of seeking rewards. For this reason (to get their reward) they can go to any level and can perform any action that includes murder as well (Boccaccini, et al., 2008; Kiehl & Buckholtz, 2010). Some researchers found that it is the hyper-reactive dopamine reward system that is the basis for many brain-related problems and mental disorders (Blair, 2001). These problems ultimately give way to behaviors that are linked with psychopathy and may include violence, substance abuse, recidivism etc. According to David Zald who is an associate professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University says, ‘Our data is suggesting that something might be happening on the other side of things. These individuals appear to have such a strong draw to reward—to the carrot—that it overwhelms the sense of risk or concern about the stick” (Nickerson, 2014) Various studies have revealed that functional magnetic imaging or fMRI of brain’s reward system were increased in individuals who had mental disorders particularly psychopathic qualities (Ermer & Kiehl, 2010). Other biological reasons behind individuals becoming psychopaths are the neural ones. It has been studied that ‘amygdala’ which controls aversive functioning and active learning in individuals also controls the responses to terrifying and sad facial expressions. Therefore, when there is impairment in the processes in amygdala then functional impairments are witnessed among individuals (psychopaths). It be said that one of the key reasons behind the neural pathology of psychopaths is associated with the dys-functioning of amygdala (Gao & Raine, 2010). Researchers concluded that it is not just amygdala that is associated with the neural pathology of psychopaths but other neurobiological impairments are some important issues that have to be taken into account while studying the reasons behind psychopathy. Substance misuse is another major cause of psychopathy (Levy, 2011). This has been linked with certain impairments in psychopaths. One fine example of such impairments is the misuse of chronic amphetamine. This results in disturbance in the working intervened by OFC. These situations contribute towards the development of psychopathy (Stevens, et al., 2012). In another study it was concluded that psychopaths have a reduced tendency of making conclusions regarding other individual’s mental states. This tendency is called as Theory of Mind (ToM) (Hamilton, 2008). Furthermore, the fact that psychopaths are very good at deceiving and manipulation is an indicator that they also have good capabilities in generalizing / understanding the knowledge, goals, desires etc. of other individuals. Theory of Mind consists of two important aspects. One is the cognitive aspect in which psychopaths drive information and knowledge about the intentions of other individuals and the second aspect deals with the capability to translate emotions (Kiehl & Buckholtz, 2010). One other biological reason associated with psychopathy talks about the damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. In such situations the psychopaths are short of emotions related to the Theory of Mind (Grieve & Panebianco, 2013). A survey was conducted, in which individuals with psychopathy were examined, revealed that damage to frontal lobe of the brain can be the ground reason for the disturbance in the behavior of psychopaths. Therefore, it was concluded that the dysfunction of the frontal lobe is another important aspect behind the psychopathic pathology (Raine, et al., 2000). Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD or ADD) is also associated with psychopathy. This issue is however related to psychopathy among children. The issue represents two different problems despite of the fact that they seem linked. It was studied that children with psychopathy may have either one of the problems i.e. ADHD – primarily inattention or ADHD – primarily impulsive / hyperactive behavior, or they can have the third mixed type which includes the characteristics of both (Nickerson, 2014). All these children with the aforementioned psychopathic characteristics have difficulties in their everyday life. The issues include not paying attention, or small problems in school, distraction, disorganization etc. These problems and characteristics develop and become stronger with time and by the time the child turns into an adult he or she observes antisocial behavior and display different types of antisocial behavior (Kiehl & Buckholtz, 2010; Dutton, 2013). A relationship was found between the Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A) gene with psychopathy. In such situation the allele that is linked with the behavioral characteristics in individuals is unable to produce the desired number of MAO-A enzyme thus a decrease in these enzymes is observed. Because of the decreased production of this enzyme, individuals were witnessed to show an aggressive and anti-social behavior. Since the MAOs enzymes are directly linked with the functioning neurotransmitters and their breakdown therefore they also the tendency to affect the behavior, moods, and feelings of the individuals (Nickerson, 2014). Environmental The environmental reasons are the lack of social awareness, poor parenting (that may be in the form of absent fathers or insufficient attention from the mother) etc. Since, children are not completely ready to socialize; they demonstrate frustration and acts out (Ermer & Kiehl, 2010). The level of aggression among such kids is comparatively high while they also seek sensation and reveal an anti social behavior collectively. The failure of good parenting is expressed by these children in the form of violence and brutality (Hamilton, 2008). Where on one hand boredom, giddiness, and weakness are defined as some of the basic environmental reasons for psychopaths, there are various other environmental reasons that are linked with psychopathy. Out of these, the most important and sound elements are, being physically neglected, having a crooked parent, low income of the parents, disturbed family background or poor attachment of the child with father. Poor training and supervision, increased family sizes, strict parenting, having a young or mentally disturbed / depressed mother, having criminal siblings, poor social class etc. are also some secondary environmental reasons associated with psychopathy (Grieve & Panebianco, 2013). The relationship between negative treatment and psychopathy has also been found as an environmental reason by the investigators. Furthermore, it has also been studied by the researchers that psychopathy have strong bonding with head / brain injuries (Raine, et al., 2000). It is due to the damages done to the different parts of the brains which affect the overall behavior of the individual. Head injuries which include the damage to the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex etc. are all associated with psychopathic behaviors. Individuals with such injuries and damages were found to be poor at making social and moral decisions. Children who undergo head injuries are more vulnerable to psychopathic behavior as it is difficult to recover the damages made to the prefrontal cortex, thus, they become psychopathic and demonstrate anti social and aggressive behavior (Nickerson, 2014). Other reasons and causes are the biochemical factors which includes increased level of testosterone among individuals along with decreased levels of cortisol or serotonin. These factors are also linked with the behavior of individuals, rewards, and level of fear. According to various studies, the increase in testosterone also triggers aggressiveness and antisocial behavior among individuals (Damm, 2010). The results of another survey concluded that testosterone does not only is responsible for antisocial behavior but it may also boost the dominance-seeking characteristic of an individual. Psychopathy is associated with the low Cortisol levels. When an individual have low cortisol levels, then he or she experiences increased state of fear, withdrawal behavior, ignorance towards punishment etc. (Fox, et al., 2013). Furthermore, according to a UK based study, high prenatal estrogen has a positive relation with psychopathy among females and also positively correlates with callous effect that is the sub-scale of psychopathy among males. It should be noted that researchers have further divided psychopathy into primary and secondary and that the reasons related to them are also in accordance (Gao & Raine, 2010). The primary psychopaths were usually those individuals who were affected genetically (Babiak, et al., 2012). On the other hand, the secondary psychopaths were majorly influenced by the environmental factors. Similarly, the primary psychopaths are said to have low anxiety levels whereas the secondary ones have increased anxiety levels. Anxiety has been termed as a mediating factor that contributes towards psychopathy (Juni, 2009; Blair, 2001). As far as the treatment regarding psychopathy is concerned then no specific medication or treatment has been produced or designed so far in order to treat psychopathy. However, there are treatments that can help in treating the symptoms that are related with psychopathy (Levy, 2011). These treatments include medications to overcome depression, mood stabilizers etc. however, the findings related to the treatment of psychopathy have been a debate of conflict and researchers are still studying whether or not the personality disorder can be treated (Nickerson, 2014; Babiak, et al., 2012). Conclusion To conclude, it can be said that psychopathy is a personality disorder and individuals become psychopaths because of certain reasons. These reasons and causes are either genetic or environmental and sometimes biochemical as well. However, it has been evidenced through studies that majority of the reasons behind psychopathy are biological while environment also plays an important role in developing an aggressive and antisocial behavior. It is hard to different between a normal person and a psychopathic individual as they seem normal externally. One of the main reasons why Individuals develop psychopathic behavior is, if they have witnessed any brain injury either in their childhood or in adulthood. Although there are no specific treatments that target psychopaths but medications and treatments have been introduced that has the potential to treat the symptoms related to psychopathy. List of References Babiak, P. et al., 2012. Psychopathy.. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, July, pp. 3-8. Blair, R. J. R., 2001. Neuro-cognitive models of aggression, the Antisocial Personality Disorders and Psychopathy.. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, Volume 71, pp. 727-731. Blair, R. J. 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