Are psychopathic individuals responsible for actions that result from their biology?

Studies have shown that approximately 20 to 30% of the population of prison inmates are affected by psychopathy. Psychopathy is not as simple as the media portrays it; it is not simply characterized by violent or sadistic behavior. It is not the same as antisocial personality disorder. According to Dr. Mike Koenigs of the University of Wisconsin Madison, a characteristic of psychopathy is “basic inadequacy of feelings and realizations that prevent him or her from experiencing normal emotions”. In addition to this characteristic, psychopathic individuals are devoid of empathy for other people and lack remorse. Recent studies have shown significant differences in neurological processes involving emotional response and empathy between healthy and psychopathic individuals. This begs the question: to what extent should an individual be held responsible for his or her actions if their underlying biology is significantly different and is the cause for his or her delinquent behavior?

Studies have shown that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) and the amygdala are two extremely important structures involved in regulating emotions and experiencing empathy. Specifically, functional imaging has shown that the VMPFC is directly related to regulating the amygdala during emotional stimulation. When an emotional stimulus is presented, such as empathy for someone else in pain, the amygdala is activated. But this activation needs to be regulated by the VMPFC, otherwise emotional responses would be too prominent. An important emotion regulated by the amygdala and the VMPFC is empathy. When compared to healthy controls, brain imaging techniques have shown a diminished response and connection of the amygdala and the VMPFC in psychopathic individuals upon being shown images of other people in pain. Diminished responses in the VMPFC and amygdala is related to the lack of empathetic concern for others and thus not having value for their well-being. Essentially, these functional studies have shown that psychopathic individuals are not equipped with the correct neurological equipment to care for another person’s well-being, often resulting in violent behavior.

Furthering these studies can have important implications in enhancing treatments and potentially finding a drug therapy that could prevent or improve this disorder. Additionally, understanding the biological factors that are involved with psychopathy forces us to consider whether or not the individual is at fault for acting aggressively or delinquently. Discovering why psychopathic individuals act without remorse and tend to seem cold can help others understand this disorder and find ways to help these individuals live functional lives in society.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130424161108.htm