Post by Tamrin on Mar 28, 2010 19:14:28 GMT 10
Psychopathy (pronounced /saɪˈkɒpəèi/) is a personality disorder characterized by an abnormal lack of empathy combined with strongly amoral conduct, masked by an ability to appear outwardly normal. Neither psychopathy, nor the similar concept of sociopathy, are nowadays defined in international diagnostic manuals, which instead describe a category of antisocial/dissocial personality disorder. However, researcher Robert Hare, whose Hare Psychopathy Checklist is widely used, describes psychopaths as "intraspecies predators" as does Simon. Elsewhere Hare and others write that psychopaths "use charisma, manipulation, intimidation, sexual intercourse and violence" to control others and to satisfy their own needs. Hare states that: "Lacking in conscience and empathy, they take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without guilt or remorse". He previously stated that: "What is missing, in other words, are the very qualities that allow a human being to live in social harmony."
According to Hare, psychopaths are glib and superficially charming, and many psychopaths are excellent mimics of normal human emotion; some psychopaths can blend in, undetected, in a variety of surroundings, including corporate environments. According to some, there is neither a cure nor any effective treatment for psychopathy; there are few medications that can instill empathy, while psychopaths who undergo traditional talk therapy only become more adept at manipulating others. However, other researchers suggest that psychopaths may benefit as much as others from psychological treatment, at least in terms of effect on behavior. According to Hare, the consensus among researchers in this area is that psychopathy stems from a specific neurological disorder which is biological in origin and present from birth although this was not what was reported by a 2008 review which instead indicated multiple causes and variation between individuals. It has been estimated by some that one percent of the general population are psychopaths although other studies have reported far lower rates
According to Hare, psychopaths are glib and superficially charming, and many psychopaths are excellent mimics of normal human emotion; some psychopaths can blend in, undetected, in a variety of surroundings, including corporate environments. According to some, there is neither a cure nor any effective treatment for psychopathy; there are few medications that can instill empathy, while psychopaths who undergo traditional talk therapy only become more adept at manipulating others. However, other researchers suggest that psychopaths may benefit as much as others from psychological treatment, at least in terms of effect on behavior. According to Hare, the consensus among researchers in this area is that psychopathy stems from a specific neurological disorder which is biological in origin and present from birth although this was not what was reported by a 2008 review which instead indicated multiple causes and variation between individuals. It has been estimated by some that one percent of the general population are psychopaths although other studies have reported far lower rates
Few psychopaths consider their condition to be a problem (for them) and hardly ever seek treatment. This may account for those studies which report low incidence rates (some argue the 1% rate is too low). Psychopaths are said to be under represented in prison populations (they are rarely convicted) and over represented in positions of authority, where their selfish, manipulative traits may be mistakenly thought to represent strength of character and are selected accordingly, (often with long-term, disasterous results).
Do not honor our leaders, our military 'geniuses', our captains of industry;
they represent the most selfish faction among us.
Many are sociopaths and the rest are mostly so;
how else could they go through life choosing mass murder
and oppression for greedy purpose?
(A Letter to the Future, Chris Crittenden, Professor of Ethics and Writer)