Psychopathy: environmental influences, biossocial interactions, and ethical issues

Abstract

The causality behind psychiatric disorders lies on a still poorly understood interaction between genetic, biological, environmental, social, and psychodynamic factors. The classical biopsychosocial model hypothesizes that psychopathy develops when genetic and neurobiological components are associated with personality traits such as impulsivity, increasing the risk when these individuals are exposed to a dysfunctional family, and worsening when the surrounding social environment fails to provide basic protection. Notwithstanding, other models have been studied. For instance, brain structure and function, neurotransmitters, and hormones are traditionally categorized as biological risk factors; however, they may have either a genetic or an environmental origin, or they may reflect an interaction between both, characterizing the so-called biosocial interaction. Acting on gene expression, environmental factors may modify the brain, changing psychopathic traits and increasing the risk of developing the disorder or, on the contrary (i.e., in a positive way), protecting the individual. Regarding environmental influences, family dysfunction is the most important psychological factor involved, covering paternal antisocial behavior or alcoholism, lack of boundaries and supervision as a child, and parental separation or loss. Childhood trauma may have a dramatic impact on the child’s mental health and is also related to psychopathy. Finally, ethical issues are discussed: Does the presence of psychopathy affectcriminal responsibility in these individuals? If yes, in what way? Should psychopaths committi ng crimes be sent to prison or to forensic hospitals? Is it correct to subject psychopaths to research and scienti fi c investi gati on? These and other questi ons are addressed in the light of current knowledge and controversies.