In children as well as adults, psychopathy is defined on the basis of three dimensions: (1) behavioral style, that shows superficial charm, emotional shallowness, a tendency to boredom, irresponsible, and a parasitic lifestyle. (2) Interpersonal lifestyle, which includes coldness, phony charm, dishonesty, deception and manipulation. (3) Problem with affective experience expose through failure to show responsibility for one’s mistake, lack of empathy, and a very shallow conscience. Psychologists have many different studies in learning about the roots of psychopathy in children. Most studies are based on the theory that it is impossible to solve a problem without a thorough understanding of its roots.
Research suggesting that the presence of
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One would conclude that with so many negative factors, it would be nearly impossible to foster safe, health, positive relationships. To fully understand the significance of psychopathic behavior, one must go to the origin of development--the brain. To fully understand the significance of psychopathic behavior, one must go to the origin of development--the brain. In a study conducted in 2008 by the American Medical Association (AMA), researchers discuss/determine the neural region that underlie reversal learning in children with psychopathic traits. This study (a first), provides evidence that psychopathic dysfunction was abnormal processing of reinforcement information. Utilizing "reversal learning," which refers to the adaptation of behavior according to changes in stimulus-rewards. Basically, one must be trained to respond differentially to rewards and punishment (where the approach which was previously rewarded is punished). During this type of training, those with psychopathic traits are impaired, resulting in lower scores in the reversal learning process. This study concluded that impairment in the processing of reinforcement and expectation leads psychopathic individuals to poor decision making, resulting in increased frustration and reactive
