2. Explaining the lack of empathy

A marked lack of empathy is one of the hallmarks of psychopathy. Psychopaths do not have the same capacity for human feeling as the rest of us; they do not appear moved by the things that usually deeply affect others, such as seeing fellow human beings suffer or in distress. And this is perhaps why they do not experience genuine remorse for the hurt and misfortune that they inflict. ‘Explaining the lack of empathy’ discusses some of the tasks that researchers use when they try to understand why adult psychopaths or children at risk of developing psychopathy lack empathy. Findings from this research give us possible explanations for the uncaring and antisocial behaviour of these individuals.

1. How can we know if someone is a psychopath or is at risk of becoming one?

What are individuals with psychopathy like and what are their defining features? ‘How can we know if someone is a psychopath or is at risk of becoming one?’ considers two case studies to give an idea of the developmental course of criminal psychopathy and what psychopathic personality traits look like. It discusses the Psychopathy Checklist, developed by Robert Hare in the 1980s, and explains the difference between antisocial personality disorder, sociopathy, and psychopathy. Research has shown that whether we look at criminal psychopaths, individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits in the general population, or children who are at risk of developing psychopathy, similar patterns of brain function and information processing are seen.

Introduction

The Introduction explains that we now understand psychopathy as a personality disorder characterized by lack of empathy and guilt, manipulation of other people, a tendency to make bafflingly destructive life choices, and, in the case of criminal psychopathy, capacity for premeditated violent behaviour. It highlights that recent research into psychopathy has provided much information, but a lot also remains a mystery and a focus of continued research efforts. Key questions to be considered in the chapters that follow include: Is psychopathy a genetic condition? Do people become psychopaths because of their childhood experiences? How can we understand their behaviour? What are the warning signs of someone who is at risk of developing psychopathy? Can psychopathy be prevented or treated? Are all psychopaths criminals?

3. Explaining impulsivity and failure to behave prosocially

Lack of empathy for distress helps explain why psychopaths have no difficulty in engaging in premeditated hurtful and antisocial behaviour. But it does not fully explain the behavioural profile of individuals with psychopathy. Why do psychopaths often make foolish life choices that are likely to result in serious repercussions to them? Why don’t they worry about other people’s happiness and establish loving relationships? ‘Explaining impulsivity and failure to behave prosocially’ considers why individuals with psychopathy make poor, impulsive decisions, even if there is a strong likelihood of reprisal and why psychopaths are able to get excited about material rewards, but do not find social relationships rewarding and motivating in the same way as the rest of us do.

4. Why do some people become psychopaths?

What are the developmental origins of the psychopathic mind? Is psychopathy a genetic condition? Or do people become psychopaths because they have been maltreated? Is it inevitable that someone who displays psychopathic features in childhood will become an adult psychopath? ‘Why do some people become psychopaths?’ outlines what we know so far regarding risk factors for psychopathy and how confident we can be of their causality. It first discusses how twin and adoption studies have demonstrated that psychopathic personality traits are moderately to strongly heritable in children and adults and then looks at the gene–environment correlation. It also considers how atypical feeling and thought processes may develop over time.

5. What to do with a psychopath?

‘What to do with a psychopath?’ outlines some pertinent questions and the evidence regarding treatment and prevention of psychopathy. Is it possible to treat adults with psychopathy or prevent psychopathy from developing? We do not currently know to what extent it is possible to change particular psychopathic traits and cognitions. Is it perhaps more realistic to find another way of ensuring that individuals with psychopathy behave in ways that do not violate the rights of others, even if they cannot be made to feel true empathy? And, should we concentrate more effort on prevention and intervention work in childhood and adolescence? Areas for future research are discussed.