Introduction to Psychopathy Personality Traits and Behaviors

The lobes of the brain:

The Frontal Lobe The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain and is associated with reasoning, motor skills, higher level cognition, and expressive language. One of the primary causes of sociopathic behavior is believed to be neurological abnormalities mainly in the frontal lobe of the brain. This area of the brain is responsible for: self-control planning judgment decision-making (right from wrong)

Sociopaths have frontal lobe abnormalities or damage: THEORY

Anti-social personality Definitions Psychopathy: Mental disorder Anti-social personality

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective Definition: Patients are classified as "selfish, callous and remorseless use of others". There is a high correlation with narcissistic personality disorder. They can also be extroverts and have a positive affect.

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective Interpersonal: *How one person relates or communicates to another * The relationship or communication between 2 people Example: Positive: good listener, supportive Negative: manipulative or selfish, always has to have the last word

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective Affective: * Related to or describing one’s moods, feelings and/or attitudes Example: *Positive: can show empathy *Negative: feels deserving even when they are not, can be superficial or shallow

Factor 2: Social Deviance Definition: behavior that violates social standards, engendering anger, resentment, and a desire for punishment in a significant segment of the society or culture

Factor 2: Social Deviance Lifestyle: They lack goals, feel they are “owed” something, immature They demonstrate reactive anger, criminality, and impulsive violence Examples: (There are so many so we will pick a couple obvious ones) polygamy child abuse crime

Factor 2: Social Deviance Anti –social behavior: seen in people with anti-social personality disorders and borderline personality disorders Examples: juvenile offender arson assault bullying harassment vandalism drug and alcohol abuse