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Psychology and Crime Series
Psychopathy: An Introduction to Biological Findings and Their Implications
A concise overview of the neuropsychology of psychopathy, written in layman's terms
The last two decades have seen tremendous growth in biological research on psychopathy, a mental disorder distinguished by traits including a lack of empathy or emotional response, egocentricity, impulsivity, and stimulation seeking. But how does a psychopath’s brain work? What makes a psychopath?
Psychopathy provides a concise, non-technical overview of the research in the areas of genetics, hormones, brain imaging, neuropsychology, environmental influences, and more, focusing on explaining what we currently know about the biological foundations for this disorder and offering insights into prediction, intervention, and prevention. It also offers a nuanced discussion of the ethical and legal implications associated with biological research on psychopathy. How much of this disorder is biologically based? Should offenders with psychopathic traits be punished for their crimes if we can show that biological factors contribute? The text clearly assesses the conclusions that can and cannot be drawn from existing biological research, and highlights the pressing considerations this research demands.
The last two decades have seen tremendous growth in biological research on psychopathy, a mental disorder distinguished by traits including a lack of empathy or emotional response, egocentricity, impulsivity, and stimulation seeking. But how does a psychopath’s brain work? What makes a psychopath?
Psychopathy provides a concise, non-technical overview of the research in the areas of genetics, hormones, brain imaging, neuropsychology, environmental influences, and more, focusing on explaining what we currently know about the biological foundations for this disorder and offering insights into prediction, intervention, and prevention. It also offers a nuanced discussion of the ethical and legal implications associated with biological research on psychopathy. How much of this disorder is biologically based? Should offenders with psychopathic traits be punished for their crimes if we can show that biological factors contribute? The text clearly assesses the conclusions that can and cannot be drawn from existing biological research, and highlights the pressing considerations this research demands.
254 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 22, 2017
The book provides an overview of the topic of psychopathy and its interactions in the areas of genetics, hormones, brain imaging, neuropsychology, environmental influences, etc. The books ends with insights into prediction, intervention, and prevention.
March 14, 2025
This is great, good insight for laymen.
Psychopaths, have:
- Huge ratio between testosterone and cortisol where testosterone is heightened and cortisol lowered. HPG and HPA axis interacts here, and the individual hormones do not matter
- Can explain fearlessness, blunted stress reactivity, instrumental aggression, poor decision making, etc.
- Reduced gray matter
- Signals from the amygdala doesn't reach cortical parts of the brain
- Higher numbers in males (presumably in testosterone — interestingly women with higher testosterone are more likely to have behavioural disorders and psychopathy)
- Mechanisms of adrenal androgens in childhood can play a role in adulthood
- Neuroimaging plays a role in diagnosing psychopaths; different brain structure due to different hormonal systems + environment and vice versa, I presume
We can study brain responses of the psychopath with psychophysiology, measuring ANS via skin conductance & heart rate and CNS via EEG.
• Psychopaths have lower heart rate reactivity when viewing unpleasant images
• Skin conductance investigates ANS and measures arousal, can reflect stress reactivity. Ofc psychopaths have it lower
Psychopaths, have:
- Huge ratio between testosterone and cortisol where testosterone is heightened and cortisol lowered. HPG and HPA axis interacts here, and the individual hormones do not matter
- Can explain fearlessness, blunted stress reactivity, instrumental aggression, poor decision making, etc.
- Reduced gray matter
- Signals from the amygdala doesn't reach cortical parts of the brain
- Higher numbers in males (presumably in testosterone — interestingly women with higher testosterone are more likely to have behavioural disorders and psychopathy)
- Mechanisms of adrenal androgens in childhood can play a role in adulthood
- Neuroimaging plays a role in diagnosing psychopaths; different brain structure due to different hormonal systems + environment and vice versa, I presume
We can study brain responses of the psychopath with psychophysiology, measuring ANS via skin conductance & heart rate and CNS via EEG.
• Psychopaths have lower heart rate reactivity when viewing unpleasant images
• Skin conductance investigates ANS and measures arousal, can reflect stress reactivity. Ofc psychopaths have it lower
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews