Psychopaths, with their superficial charms but lack of empathy,
may act the way they do because their brains are wired
to overvalue immediate rewards, a new study finds.
Psychopaths' brain wiring
may also lead them to avoid thinking about the consequences of their potentially immoral actions, the study found.
Psychopaths are thought to make up about 1 percent of the general population and up to 25 percent of the prison population. Scientists who investigate psychopathy commonly define people with the disorder as having a lack of conscience or remorse, as well as impulsivity or a lack of self-control, shallow experiences of emotions, superficial charm and a grandiose sense of their own worth.
More than three-quarters of incarcerated psychopaths are in prison because of a violent offense, according to a 2011 review of studies. Although not all psychopaths are violent, they can prove socially destructive in other ways, by lying, cheating and stealing, that review added.
Comment: Psychopathy is untreatable,
period. In a controlled environment
maybe psychopaths could do something that benefits the greater good, but we doubt it. It's time to give up the wasted idea that we can save the psychopath. They don't want to be saved! They think of us humans as something 'other' in need of adaptation to their world view. While we are busy trying to save the psychopath, they are busy trying to remake humanity in
their image.
See also:
Comment: See also: 58 cognitive biases that screw up everything we do