Psychopathy: A Behavioral Systems Approach

Leedom, Liane J.

doi:10.5772/intechopen.69488

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 77 publications

(85 reference statements)

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“…10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110420 systems (87). However, it is its opportunistic interpersonal strategy that has attracted the most attention.…”

Section: Neuroticism and The Alarm Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Psychopathy includes traits such as impulsivity, risk-taking, future discounting, fearlessness, callousness, and non-cooperative tactics ( 86 ). In fact, it involves all action systems: A hyperactive incentive system, along with weak alarm, affiliation, and control systems ( 87 ). However, it is its opportunistic interpersonal strategy that has attracted the most attention.…”

Section: How a Harmful Trait Can Still Be Advantageousmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The evolution of personality disorders: A review of proposals

Gutiérrez

Valdesoiro

2023

Front. Psychiatry

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Personality disorders (PDs) are currently considered dysfunctions. However, personality differences are older than humanity and are ubiquitous in nature, from insects to higher primates. This suggests that a number of evolutionary mechanisms—other than dysfunctions—may be able to maintain stable behavioral variation in the gene pool. First of all, apparently maladaptive traits may actually improve fitness by enabling better survival or successful mating or reproduction, as exemplified by neuroticism, psychopathy, and narcissism. Furthermore, some PDs may harm important biological goals while facilitating others, or may be globally beneficial or detrimental depending on environmental circumstances or body condition. Alternatively, certain traits may form part of life history strategies: Coordinated suites of morphological, physiological and behavioral characters that optimize fitness through alternative routes and respond to selection as a whole. Still others may be vestigial adaptations that are no longer beneficial in present times. Finally, variation may be adaptative in and by itself, as it reduces competition for finite resources. These and other evolutionary mechanisms are reviewed and illustrated through human and non-human examples. Evolutionary theory is the best-substantiated explanatory framework across the life sciences, and may shed light on the question of why harmful personalities exist at all.

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“…10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110420 systems (87). However, it is its opportunistic interpersonal strategy that has attracted the most attention.…”

Section: Neuroticism and The Alarm Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: How a Harmful Trait Can Still Be Advantageousmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of personality disorders: A review of proposals

Gutiérrez

Valdesoiro

2023

Front. Psychiatry

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“…This differential susceptibility perspective suggests that some children are more affected by various forms of parenting, in negative and positive directions. Finally, research regarding the effect of neglect/abuse on biological markers such as arginine vasopressin and oxytocin, justifies a model addressing environmental dynamics (Leedom, 2017) and suggests that assumptions about the innateness of biological markers should be tentatively made (Heinze, 2017b).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The general notion that psychopathic individuals feel they have no reason to change may contribute to this lack of interest in treatment issues. Even so, the most compelling reason for the pessimistic stance on treatment possibly stems from the belief that psychopathic individuals do not suffer (Cleckley, 1941), which might be related to the lack of an integrated understanding of psychopathy as a construct (Leedom, 2017; Polaschek & Tadhg, 2013; Salekin & Lynam, 2010). While Cleckley described the mask that such types create, he dismissed the attempt to grasp the conceivable process behind it.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The theoretical validation of the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP): Toward a reformulation of the construct, assessment, and treatment of psychopathic traits.

Gullhaugen¹,

Heinze²,

Kornev³

2021

Psychoanalytic Psychology

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This article presents the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP) and its theoretical framework. The DMP portrays the process behind the "mask of sanity" that Cleckley (1941) described, by conceptualizing the way in which shame contributes to dynamic shifts in extreme and conflicting experiences, strategies, and behaviors (narcissistic compensation) associated with basic needs for community and agency in psychopathic individuals. If the narcissistic compensation is sufficiently strong, the shame of the psychopathic individual is unconscious (demarcation for severe psychopathy characterized by grandiosity). As such, the DMP specifies the agreed-upon and loosely defined affective and interpersonal core of psychopathy, providing a framework for explaining, assessing, and treating this dynamic interplay of affective-interpersonal, conscious and unconscious states. The DMP further offers a causal perspective (lack of community and agency; attachment needs) for the development of psychopathy, and reveals the close bond between the vulnerability and the destructiveness of psychopathic individuals. Clinical observations and empirical studies support the DMP and its theoretical framework, constituting an integrated construct of psychopathy. Further validation of the DMP is, however, needed.

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Psychopathy: A Behavioral Systems Approach

Cited by 2 publications

References 77 publications

The evolution of personality disorders: A review of proposals

The evolution of personality disorders: A review of proposals

The theoretical validation of the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP): Toward a reformulation of the construct, assessment, and treatment of psychopathic traits.

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