A psychopath is a person who exhibits antisocial behavior and a lack of empathy for others. Psychopathy is a personality disorder that is characterized by a lack of empathy, lack of remorse, and a tendency toward criminal behavior. It is estimated that approximately 1% of the population has some degree of psychopathy.
Research has revealed that psychopaths have differences in their brains compared to non-psychopaths. Brain Structure
Studies have found that psychopaths have reduced gray matter volume in the frontal and temporal lobes of their brains, which are responsible for planning, decision-making, and forming memories. They also have reduced volume of white matter, which are responsible for connecting different areas of the brain.
Brain Activity
Research has also found that when psychopaths view emotionally charged images, such as those depicting violence, they have reduced activity in the amygdala, which is responsible for processing and responding to emotions. This suggests that psychopaths may not experience fear or anxiety when exposed to negative stimuli.
Brain Chemistry
Studies have found that psychopaths have higher levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure-seeking behavior. This could explain why psychopaths often engage in risky or impulsive behaviors.
Conclusion
Research has shown that there are differences in the brains of psychopaths, which could explain why they exhibit the behavior that they do. Further research is needed to better understand the causes and consequences of psychopathy.