Why are people psychopaths?

Answer 1

What makes a person sociopathic is a long and hard question to answer. In truth, there probably isn't a correct answer. There are some theories, which I will outline, briefly, here. But one must remember psychoanalytic theories are difficult, if not impossible, to prove completely via scientific method. The reason for this is that, unlike many chemicals, personality is mutable and difficult to define. The way mental illnesses affect people is also quite diverse. In each individual a mental illness most likely will run a course different from that in the next individual. And personality disorders, such as antisocial personality, can range over a broad spectrum when considering its similarities and differences in different people.

The most commonly accepted predeterminant of sociopathy would be a grave degree of early parental neglect. If anything, this seems to be the most diagnostic factor in forming antisocial personality. A person, even an animal, needs some form of just post-natal bonding with another person or animal in order to form proper relationships with others as he or she ages. When this is not provided, all h-e-double-toothpicks, as they say, breaks loose. As an aside, it does not matter the race, age or sex of the individual with whom the baby must bond. In the animal kingdom, a duck may bond to a dog, a penguin to a wildebeest. As long as the elder animal is nurturant, the animal does well. In the animal world, this bonding is called imprinting. In the human world, the lack of such bonding results in something called "mental illness."

Other considered factors are problems with the cortex and, possibly, heredity. A theory I find of interest is that very low or very high intelligence may play a role. Risk-taking behavior is more a symptom than a precursor. I am unsure where upon the spectrum would fall impulsivity. Is it a cause of sociopathy? Does the psychopathic personality just gravitate to problems with impulse control? Of course, substance abuse is always mentioned. But sellf-medicating substance use or abuse is a component of all mental illnesses.

As an aside, when people refer to sociopathy, they are referring to one or possibly more of the following. These are different, but largely by degrees. Learning about sociopathy, psychopathy, asocial personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, disocial personality disorder will further your enlightenment, such as it may be in the darkness, about the others.

An excellent book on this subject is "The Mask of Sanity," by Hervey M. Cleckley, MD. Although it was written in 1941, it is still highly relevant today.

I read this (linked) article and agree with the premise that sociopaths are born sociopaths. The "third ingredient", essentially being abused (as a child), is what triggers the violent tendencies later in life that make a sociopath be noticed by other people and/or themselves (manifestation).

Answer 2

There is no single cause of psychopathy, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Researchers think that abnormalities in brain structure and function, as well as a lack of empathy and emotional processing, may contribute to the development of psychopathic traits. Childhood experiences such as abuse or neglect can also play a role in shaping psychopathic behaviors.

Answer 3

This is a question that really has no answer, but most people would agree if saying that it is inherited. If it's not inherited then its something wrong with the part of their brain where the emotional regulation is handled or the impulsive section. Though like I said before there is no exact answer, some people just see things differently and their views are sadly dark. If you are having thoughts of harming others or yourself for fun or in general please talk to a therapist or someone you trust.