Functional Psychopath Research Paper

Running head: FUNCTIONAL PSYCHOPATH

The Recipe for the Functional Psychopath
Cannon University
Counseling 646

Abstract
This paper will discuss the existence of the psychopath in its many forms. It will define the psychopath, discuss the subgroups, treatment possibilities, the historical and fictional examples over our history and the many contributions psychological professionals have made over the last century to the understanding of this disorder. This paper will also detail the differences in the brain structure of psychopaths, discuss how one would go about discovering a young psychopath in the making and spiritual implications of this disorder.

Introduction…show more content…
Studies show that psychopaths have impaired amygdales, which is a part of the brain that controls emotional and fearful expressions and emotional learning (Craig et al, 2009). Psychopaths also have been shown to have both, less activity and less grey matter in the prefrontal cortex, which controls impulse control, decision-making and behavioral adaptation (Craig et al, 2009). In studies performed by Dr. Hare on some of his clients, he found through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that his clients did not seem to respond any normally to negative emotional words, as measured in the limbic regions of the brain (where normal humans respond). They did, however, respond in other parts of the brain. He explained that those clients seemed to respond unemotionally to the stimuli, as an android…show more content…
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