What makes a person a psychopath?

Science knows that every hundredth inhabitant of our planet is a psychopath. And although many violent criminals fall into this category, this does not identify all psychopaths with violence. Also, we can not equate cruel people with those who have crossed the line of law. And nevertheless between these two concepts there is an obvious regularity.

How does the propensity for psychopathy arise?

What is the reason for the propensity to psychopathic behavior? Scientists believe that several factors can contribute to this. First, genetics has a great influence on the formation of psychopathic inclinations. Another important factor is the role of upbringing. As a rule, child abuse, violence, humiliation, alienation in the future gives rise to psychopaths. Thirdly, the adolescent is strongly affected by an unfavorable environment.

Difference in the structure of the brain

Scientists repeatedly scanned the brain of violent psychopaths and revealed significant differences in the activity of some zones in comparison with ordinary people. If these differences are seen at an early age, there is a high probability that the child has inherited psychopathic inclinations, rather than acquired them. How is the genetic basis of psychopathy manifested? Imagine the brain as a muscle structure with several departments. Psychopaths are not able to set in motion all the zones.

This became clear from the results of a scientific study conducted by the group of Professor Michael Koenigs. In persons with psychopathic inclinations, neural connections between the medial prefrontal cortex of the brain (responsible for emotional experience, risk assessment and decision making) and the amygdala (a zone that forms emotions such as pleasure and fear) are violated. At a later age, the decline in activity in these areas of the brain can occur due to severe education or negative environmental impact.

Psychopathic behavior patterns

Psychologists distinguish certain patterns of behavior that characterize the psychopathic personality. Separately, all these traits can be observed in an ordinary person. However, the combination of several qualities indicates that we have a cruel and calculating psychopath. For example, ruthless criminals tend to show lower levels of empathy compared to mentally balanced people. Cruelty can manifest itself in childhood (in relation to peers, animals or insects). It is curious that the callousness and cruel attitude to others, as a rule, correlates with the low heart rate. And this means, the psychopath commits unlawful actions with a cold head and does not regret what he did.

Other distinguishing features of psychopaths

From other distinctive features of adult psychopaths, one can single out the desire for promiscuous sexual intercourse, polygamy. To achieve this goal, these people have adopted the charm and skill to deftly manipulate other people. For this reason, psychopaths, as a rule, move far along the career ladder. Parasitic life is also not alien to our today's "heroes". They are not used to taking responsibility for their actions and do not like to build long-term plans. Destructive behavior (alcohol, drugs, gambling) even outweighs prospects. High risk tolerance is caused by the absence of fear in critical situations. Note that a significant percentage of people convicted of violent violent crimes are gaining a high score in the tests for the definition of psychopathy.

The role of upbringing can be more important in comparison with genetics

Despite the fact that some people have a biological predisposition to psychopathic behavior, education and the environment play an even more powerful factor in shaping the personality of the future criminal. Professor James Fellon, studying the biological basis of violence, found that the brain of violent psychopaths has the same characteristics. Genetic risk factors can become the basis for the formation of a future villain. Education and negative environment further strengthen psychopathic inclinations. According to the expert, many cruel crimes could be avoided by placing a child prone to violence into good conditions. If desired, parents can prevent the adolescent from participating in antisocial activities (the way the future psychopath begins). If adults occupy a passive position, psychopathic inclinations can worsen.