Empty Empathy

Psychiatrists generally agree that one of the defining characteristics of psychopaths is the lack of interpersonal empathy. Psychopaths are often impulsive, yet they lack guilt and remorse (Fallon, 2013, p. 27). In a research study lead by Professor Sheilagh Hodgins of the University of Montreal, 50 people were recruited and subjected to Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 12 of them were violent offenders with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy, 20 violent offenders were with antisocial personality disorder but not psychopathy, and 18 were healthy non-offenders, recruited from Britain's probation service.

Researchers found that offenders with psychopathy may only consider the possible positive consequences and fail to take account of the likely negative consequences of their actions. This behavior is seen in Fallon himself when he recalls his fascination with explosions. One occurrence he states when his actions almost led to burning down a house, yet those drastic repercussions did not cause him to deter from continuing.

The scientists observed reductions in gray matter volumes in the regions of the brain involved in empathy. Abnormalities were also found in white matter regions of the brain associated with lack of empathy and that are also involved in learning from rewards and punishments. Empathy usually refers to one’s emotional reactivity to another individual person. It is being able to put yourself in another’s shoes and experiencing emotionally what that person is experiencing (Fallon, 2013 p. 223).

According to Fallon, he lacked this connection interpersonal empathy in regards to his father, his wife, and even his children. He states, “I didn’t feel connected to my kids until they were old enough to start responding as human beings, when they were toddlers. Before that, they were like dolls to me (Fallon, 2013 p. 215).” He even admits that when he says, “love,” in regards to his wife, Diane, he never truly felt fully emotionally connected to her. Their relationship was successful because of his fascination towards her and of their common goals and values.

The MRI data gathered by these researchers is key to understanding the biological aspect of this lack of empathy in psychopathic minds. It is critical in the development of programs to prevent violent criminal actions and develop proper intervention that target specific brain mechanisms. By gaining insight on the specific brain mechanisms, it would allow scientists to better intervene with psychopathic behaviors that would reduce recidivism and even initial violent crime outbreaks.

References:

Fallon, J. (2013). The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist's Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain. New York: Penguin.

University of Montreal. (2015, January 27). Psychopathic violent offenders’ brains can’t understand punishment. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 27, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150127212158.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150127212158.htm