Blaming the Parts Instead of the Person: Understanding and Applying Neurobiological Factors Associated with Psychopathy

Abstract

Dans l'article, on examine l'impact de nombreuses recherches indiquant que les psychopathes auraient des irrégularités neurobiologiques, qui se manifestent par des troubles d'apprentissage et du traitement de la peur, ainsi que des anomalies des neurotransmetteurs. Même si la présente recherche suggère que les psychopathes pourraient avoir de nombreuses irrégularités neurobiologiques, l'article porte plutôt sur les anomalies liées aux amygdales et au cortex orbitofrontal du cerveau, en plus de celles liées aux neurotransmetteurs. Ces irrégularités influeraient sur le comportement des psychopathes et contribueraient à expliquer leur tendance à adopter des comportements antisociaux. C'est pourquoi on soutient que ces facteurs devraient réduire le degré de responsabilité criminelle attribué aux actions des contrevenants psychopathes.Mots clés : psychopathie, neurobiologie, responsabilité criminelle This article examines the implications of the body of research that asserts that psychopaths have neurobiological irregularities that are manifested by learning and fear-processing deficits as well as neurotransmitter abnormalities. While this research suggests that psychopaths may have many neurobiological irregularities, the present article focuses on abnormalities related to the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex of the brain, in addition to those related to neurotransmitters. It is argued that these irregularities influence the conduct of psychopaths and help to explain their propensity to engage in antisocial behaviour. Further, it is argued that these factors should mitigate the degree of criminal responsibility that is attributed to the actions of psychopathic offenders.

Sentencing Neurocognitively Impaired Offenders in Canada

“…However, neither the public nor the courts have been inclined to view psychopathy as a condition that may be treated as a mitigating factor (Zinger and Forth 1998). Nevertheless, there has been an increasing degree of recognition that psychopathy involves several specific neurocognitive impairments that may affect the degree of perceived blameworthiness of psychopathic offenders (Fine and Kennett 2004;Freedman and Verdun-Jones 2010).…”

“…The role of FASD in sentencing is particularly complex because there is no general agreement among clinicians with respect to the precise diagnostic criteria for FASD (Douds, Stevens, and Sumner forthcoming: 2), and it is extremely difficult to confirm the diagnosis of prenatal alcohol consumption with the birth mother (Chartrand and Forbes-Chilibeck 2003;Goh, Chudley, Clarren, Koren, Orrbine, Rosales, and Rosenbaum 2008). Freedman's (2008) key finding was that, despite the existence of both neurobiological dysfunctions and learning deficits in each condition, psychopathy and FASD have diametrically opposed implications for sentencing decisions. She suggests that, while courts are willing to regard the offender's culpability as being reduced by the presence of FASD and therefore treat this condition as a mitigating factor, the presence of psychopathy has been viewed as an aggravating factor that justifies a penalty (usually imprisonment) that is harsher than the norm.…”

“…What is clear is that their neurocognitive impairments are not considered to be mitigating factors, even though their ability to make sound decisions is severely compromised. One implication of Freedman's study is that, if psychopathic offenders are to be sentenced to longer periods of incarceration on the basis of the need to prevent them from committing future crimes, then consideration should be given to implementing a regime based on quarantine rather than punishment (Freedman and Verdun-Jones 2010). Although by no means a perfect or even desirable model, the American predatory sexual offender statutes demonstrate that it is possible to create a separate system of detention for preventive and (at least nominal) treatment purposes.…”

Childhood traumatic experiences and psychopathy: A comprehensive review.

“…A neurobiological theory of psychopathy argues that emotional deficits are explained by right hemisphere dysfunction (Freedman & Verdun-Jones, 2010), which makes it difficult to process abstract notions, such as the theory of mind that influences empathy (Kiehl et al, 2004). Lack of empathy leads to a compromised ability to differentiate between moral rules (consequences that govern the rights and well-being of others) and conventional rules (principles that govern social interactions within social systems; Blair et al, 1995).…”

Psicopatia e Reconhecimento de Expressões Faciais de Emoções: Uma Revisão Sistemática

“…A amígdala é uma das estruturas mais primitivas da espécie humana e, dentre outras funções, está diretamente ligada ao processamento emocional, principalmente aquele de emoções de medo e tristeza. A visão predominante atual é a de que a psicopatia e os déficits cognitivos e emocionais que caracterizam o transtorno, e o distingue dos demais, refletem uma disfunção específica da amígdala (Blair, 2010;Freedman & Verdun-Jones, 2010;Kiehl, 2006;van Honk & Schutter, 2006). Alguns estudos têm verificado alterações na amígdala de psicopatas, como menor volume e anormalidades estruturais em comparação aos controles (Weber, Habel, Amunts, & Schneider, 2008;Yang, Raine, Narr, Colletti, & Toga, 2009).…”