Study finds psychopaths have distinct brain structure

[Geriatrix]

Just to be clear..are some of you saying psychopaths are born psychopaths?

There may be a distinct possibility. Some people are born autistic.

 

[porchrat]

Not surprising at all. Thing is, they're not born like this.

Exactly what you've said...which means they were made this way by their environment

How on Earth can you possibly make this claim?!? :wtf:

 

[DJ...]

Noted for later consumption. Thanks.

Correction: just checked the PVR and it is called Into The Mind...

 

[DJ...]

Just to be clear..are some of you saying psychopaths are born psychopaths?

No. Some might be more predisposed to becoming psychopathic based on the chemistry of their brain though. This is a fact and the same applies to any aspect of the brain that we attempt to pigeon-hole for diagnostic purposes...

 

[Elimentals]

No. Some might be more predisposed to becoming psychopathic based on the chemistry of their brain though. This is a fact and the same applies to any aspect of the brain that we attempt to pigeon-hole for diagnostic purposes...

I think brain damage that cause emotional and behavioral changes alone, is proof enough that we are the chemical make of our brains. Sure environment and experience does also account for some of our traits but certainly not all of them.

Spending enough time with people that had their heads knocked a tad, let me to the knowledge that there is more than just what we learn.

Hell, even what you eat can affect your personality... ask red meat lovers.

 

[Techne]

Just to be clear..are some of you saying psychopaths are born psychopaths?

I don't think so, there is no evidence for this. Like someone else said though, certain people may have more predispositions or "potentialities" towards certain behaviours than other people, however this does not imply that such dispositions will actualize. This, to a large extent would depend on the environmental factors which may trigger or actualize these potentialities or dispositions.

 

[NN123]

Not surprising at all. Thing is, they're not born like this.

+1

 

[Techne]

I think brain damage that cause emotional and behavioral changes alone, is proof enough that we are the chemical make of our brains.

It just demonstrates that the material complexity of our brain is necessary condition for being a rational animal or a proper functioning intellect, it does not demonstrate that it is sufficient. If you are a realist about universals then it follows that there are immaterial aspects to our intellect.

 

[boramk]

Just to be clear..are some of you saying psychopaths are born psychopaths?

I think psychopaths are born psychopaths.

Some serial killers come from loving homes, what in their environment caused them to kill little animals at the age of 4?

 

[Techne]

I think psychopaths are born psychopaths.

Some serial killers come from loving homes, what in their environment caused them to kill little animals at the age of 4?

That's just an argument from ignorance, a fallacy (check out this site http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/). Just because all the factors that caused a 4-year old to kill little animals are unclear, does not imply that the child is born a serial killer or psychopath.

 

[boramk]

That's just an argument from ignorance, a fallacy (check out this site http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/). Just because all the factors that caused a 4-year old to kill little animals are unclear, does not imply that the child is born a serial killer or psychopath.

Fair enough

 

[Nanfeishen]

Not surprising at all. Thing is, they're not born like this.

Its actually genetically hard wired into them.

All of these findings are pointing to a picture of psychopathy as an innate, genetically driven difference in connectivity between parts of the brain that normally drive empathy, conscience and impulse control. Not a fault necessarily, and not something that could be classified as a disease or that is always a disadvantage.

http://www.gnxp.com/wp/2010/06/12/bad-to-the-bone-the-genes-and-brains-of-psychopaths/

early-onset antisocial behaviour in children with psychopathic tendencies is largely inherited.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/25078.php

However studies also show that this does not mean they will become killers or anything else per se, like so many other things it requires a trigger mechanism, such as abuse, poverty, social issues etc. to start down the path of becoming a true psychopath.

 

[Techne]

Its actually genetically hard wired into them.


http://www.gnxp.com/wp/2010/06/12/bad-to-the-bone-the-genes-and-brains-of-psychopaths/


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/25078.php

However studies also show that this does not mean they will become killers or anything else per se, like so many other things it requires a trigger mechanism, such as abuse, poverty, social issues etc. to start down the path of becoming a true psychopath.

In other words, psychopathy is a potentiality, a disposition, a propensity. It is not an actuality from birth, it needs to be actualized by something else.

 

[Geriatrix]

In other words, psychopathy is a potentiality, a disposition, a propensity. It is not an actuality from birth, it needs to be actualized by something else.

Agreed. But that begs the question, why do governments put so much emphasis on punishment and rehabilitation? Why not simply have a preventative measure set up from an early age to nudge those who might be susceptible into the right direction before they go full Hitler? Surely if would not be more expensive than incarceration.
It seems to me that this is more in society's hands than in that of the kids themselves.

:edit
BTW Techne. http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/) is awesome!

 

[Nanfeishen]

Agreed. But that begs the question, why do governments put so much emphasis on punishment and rehabilitation? Why not simply have a preventative measure set up from an early age to nudge those who might be susceptible into the right direction before they go full Hitler? Surely if would not be more expensive than incarceration.
It seems to me that this is more in society's hands than in that of the kids themselves.

Its easier, less hassles and cheaper for governments to lock someone up than to deal with the social issues like poverty, unemployment, sub-standard living conditions, abuse etc that lead people in to lives of crime, gangs, drugs, and alcohol abuse.

 

[Techne]

Agreed. But that begs the question, why do governments put so much emphasis on punishment and rehabilitation? Why not simply have a preventative measure set up from an early age to nudge those who might be susceptible into the right direction before they go full Hitler? Surely if would not be more expensive than incarceration.
It seems to me that this is more in society's hands than in that of the kids themselves.

Sure, that is why a functional society on all levels is important. For example, parents play a crucial role in bringing up their children in a proper manner. It is their duty to teach them right and set examples for them.

BTW Techne. http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/) is awesome!

Fun isn't it .

 

[DJ...]

Agreed. But that begs the question, why do governments put so much emphasis on punishment and rehabilitation? Why not simply have a preventative measure set up from an early age to nudge those who might be susceptible into the right direction before they go full Hitler? Surely if would not be more expensive than incarceration.
It seems to me that this is more in society's hands than in that of the kids themselves.

:edit
BTW Techne. http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/) is awesome!

Dangerous ground. Corrective behaviour methods? Will the behaviour police enforce these rules?

Are we going to have moral police too?

 

[TheHiveMind]

Are we going to have moral police too?

Looking at recent developments, it is a possibility lol

 

[Geriatrix]

Dangerous ground. Corrective behaviour methods? Will the behaviour police enforce these rules?

Are we going to have moral police too?

No, just an early warning system.Like measles shots.
If a high susceptibility for psychopathic behavior can indeed be detected early on, why not note it, and keep watch over the kids? It'll have the duel purpose of making sure the kids aren't abused or mistreated.

 

[DJ...]

No, just an early warning system.Like measles shots.
If a high susceptibility for psychopathic behavior can indeed be detected early on, why not note it, and keep watch over the kids? It'll have the duel purpose of making sure the kids aren't abused or mistreated.

Sure, educate the public and afford them the tools to make up their own mind. I agree on that front.

I certainly do not agree with having pre-emptive corrective behaviour modification on the basis that it will reduce crime...