THE PSYCHOPATH

J.B. Helfgott, PhD/ Department of Criminal

Justice/ Seattle University

THE PSYCHOPATHEmpirical Research on

PsychopathyBiological Influences



Biological Origins of Psychopathy

• Research gaining the most attention in recent years is in neuroanatomy and neuropsychology with focus on the:

•Prefrontal cortex– Orbitofrontal cortex

•Limbic System– Amygdala



The Human Brain



Components of the Human Brain



Brain Imaging

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)– first scanning

method to provide information on brain function as well as anatomy

– used in conjunction with small amounts of radiolabeled compounds to visualize brain anatomy and function.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)– newest most

versatile medical imaging technology available - useful for imaging the brain and spine

– Produces highly refined images of the body's interior without surgery by using strong magnets and pulses of radio waves



Research by Adrian Raine• Found that violent offenders have shrunken

prefrontal cortexes• Affective but not predatory murderers show

anomalies on PET scans



The Prefrontal Cortex• Plays a role in higher cognitive functions,

such as concentration, planning, judgment, emotions, and personality determination.

• Damage to the orbitofrontal cortex may play a role in violent behavior.



Research by James Blair

• Dysfunction in the psychopath’s brain lies in the amygdala

• Amygdala regulates FEAR and emotion -dysfunction of Amygdala explains the psychopath’s lack of fear and empathy.



The Amygdala

• Part of the Limbic System located within the temporal lobe

• controls social and sexual behavior and other emotions.

• plays a critical role in processing emotion and mediating fear.



Additional Findings

• Murderers:– Reduced prefrontal activity– Poor functioning of the left angular gyrus (lies at

junction of the temporal, parietal, and occipital regions) – linked to reduced verbal ability

– Reductions in functioning of the corpus callosum (which provides lines of communication between left and right hemispheres) – associated with inappropriate emotional expression and inability to comprehend long-term implications.

• Psychopaths:– Inhibited startle reflex in response to emotionally

aversive stimuli.– Low autonomic arousal as measured through skin

conductivity/galvanic skin response



The Final Word?

• Theories are not mutually exclusive

• Must be considered within an integrative framework

• Evidence from neuroimaging studies, and biological research findings in general, is promising but inconclusive.



Treatment • Treatment implications of the

biological perspective?



Recommended Reading

• Raine, A. (1993). The Psychopathology of Crime. New York: Academic Press.

• Raine, A. & Dunkin, J. (1990). The genetic and psychophysiological basis of antisocial behaviour: Implications for counseling and therapy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 68, 637-644.

• Raine, A. & Sanmartin, J. (Eds.) (2001). Violence and Psychopathy. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

THE PSYCHOPATH

Documents

brain function

psychopaths brain

prefrontal cortexesaffective

brain anatomy

critical role

psychopaths lack of

mediating fear

violent behavior