Is Psychopathy Curable?

[liveonearth]

Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge University psychology/psychiatry prof, director of Autism Research Centre
expert developmental psychopathology
doesn't like word "evil", says we need new theory of human cruelty, more science on "evil"
theory: evil = lack of empathy
this condition is measurable, monitorable, and mb treatable/educable

empathy = 1) the drive to identify another person's thoughts and feelings, and 2) the drive to respond appropriately to those thoughts and feelings
between two people, ex: Nelson Mandela and F. W de Klerk-->end apartheid
"erosion" of empathy-->personal and international trouble, Israel/Palestine type impasses
Nazis made lampshades and soap out of Jew's bodies

B-C's book comes out in July:
"Zero Degrees of Empathy" is title in Britain, "The Science of Evil" in US
works on concept of empathy from many angles: endocrine, nature vs nurture, early childhood, etc
brain "empathy circuit = 10 regions of brain
empathy spectrum: zero to six, measure wtih empathy quotient test
he says it's a bell curve
low end = psychopaths, narcissists, borderline personality disorder
not evil:--->sick, "disabled", empathy deficient
doesn't say they can be cured but wants to try, thinks empathy can be taught and practiced

my thought: the Buddhists do it with the practice of lovingkindness
and Dr Mate points out that this practice is helpful for addicts
and another thought of mine: early childhood emotional deprivation-->limbic underdevelopment-->psychopathy
depending on the level of neural plasiticity present in adults limbic pathways may be added ...??

SOURCES
http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFLDE7430U720110505?sp=true

THIS ONE ON CORPORATIONS
http://www.naturalnews.com/032814_corporations_psychopath.html
and what if we expected business to act according to the values that we expect of people???

Comments

[lynnivere.livejournal.com]

Fascinating! Thank you for the links.

So my gut reaction is to say NO.. but after listening to this last year, I have changed my mind.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/317/unconditional-love

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Oooooh I so enjoy This American Life. Thanks for the link. I will listen soon! Today is the first day of school so can't listen right now....

[lynnivere.livejournal.com]

good luck!

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Thx!!!

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Why do you suspect this person is a sociopath?

[b-vainamoinen.livejournal.com]

Empathy is a skill that can be developed, yes.

I disagree with the premise. Psychopathy is more than just a lack of empathy.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Well.... so what is psychopathy? You've studied it some, eh?

[b-vainamoinen.livejournal.com]

Yeah. The DSMIV calls it "Antisocial Personality Disorder."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder

Lack of empathy is one feature, but there are a host of others. Not all people who lack empathy have "Antisocial Personality Disorder."

From Wikipedia:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. deception, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead;
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others;
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another;

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Oh I thought you had a synthesis view of your own to report, instead of a regurge of wiki or the DSM. I'm aware of the standard definitions and characteristics of psychopathy.