Is sociopathism hereditary

Answer 1

I'm not absolutely sure, but my grandpa died in a nuthouse after he tried to kill my grandma...I'm not sure if he was a sociopath. my mom is a sociopath. my brother has sociopathic tendancies. so it probably is

~ Sociopathy can't be 'inherited' at least directly. Think Sociopath = social-learnt psychopathy. Psychopath = psychological (genetically hardwired) psychopathy. Psychopathy is inherited. Psychopaths are charming and 'smooth' while sociopaths are neurotic and 'explosive'

Answer 2

Presently, to this writers knowledge, this question can not be answered with clear certainty. However, some researchers believe psychopathy to be hereditary, whereas at least one behavioral geneticist, David Lykken has proposed that the psychopath and sociopath, both terms if used are sometimes used interchangeably (when still used at all), are in actuality differing conditions with the prior being genetic, and therefore hereditary, and the latter being primarily the result of environmental factors. Reference: The Antisocial Personalities (1995) By David Thoreson Lykken

With recent advancements in computer technology the human genome is giving up many of it's secrets, so a more clear understanding of the role, or lack of a role of genetics in the causation of this type of disorder may not be that far off. Still, ultimately, the subjective nature of psychology and a continued lack of consensus on classification of various disorders or whether they are even disorders at all, could mean, in the future, as now, being able to offer an answer to this question will be dependent upon which approach or method is favored.

Being humans we are reliant upon our minds and perceptions as the primary tools used to understand the human mind presents a bit of dilemma when attempting examine related phenomena in an impartial manner. A real possibility exists for this reason that we may never have a certain answer. Questions involving mind and behavior, even where a genetic or chemical correlation may be observed, will still mostly rely on theory to supply answers. From a logical perspective a theory can never be proven, making any answer derived from such also unprovable. Reference: The Logic of Scientific Discovery By Karl Raimond Popper (1934)

In conclusion, this question has no clear single answer. Possible answers are as follows:

1. NO (if we go with Lykken)
2. SOMETIMES YES (if we use the terms psychopath and sociopath interchangeably)
3. UNSETTLED (if we consider various approaches within psychiatric community)
4. UNPROVABLE therefore UNANSWERABLE (if we adhere to Scientific Method as defined by Popper)
   

Answer 3

Yes