Psychopaths: Are They Unethical Decision-Makers And Why?

The decision making process includes cognitive processes that eventually lead to a choice in action while taking into consideration the alternative possibilities (Allen, Dorozenko, & Roberts, 2016). Not all choices have to lead to an action. The values and preferences of the person making the choice also comes into play when making the final decision. Problem-solving to obtain a certain goal or satisfactory by a solution is the main reason people go through the decision making process (Stefaniak, & Tracey, 2014). This process has many factors that end with one final result or solution. The decisions made can be rational or irrational and can be determined by explicit or tacit knowledge (Qingyao, Dongyu, & Weihua, 2016). Since the decision making process can be very difficult at time, psychologists have viewed the process in different perspectives to get a better understanding (Rossi, Picchi, Di Stefano, Marongiu, & Scarsini, 2015). The different perspectives include; psychological, cognitive, and normative or communicative rationality.

Psychopathy, a personality/mental disorder, in which an individual often display apathy in conjunction with manipulation strategies, and without the ability to demonstrate remorse for wrong actions, is a characteristic that has shown to be highly present in violent criminality. It is believe that the understanding of psychopathy can lead to the prediction of criminal behavior. However, psychopathic behavior can be affected or influence by numerous variables, including age, sex, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status or in some cases a combination of two or more variables.

The students who are included in the high psychopathy group did not cause any severe trouble in their life as people who knew them well have said. After dividing the students into high and low psychopathy groups, they finished neuropsychological tests which have often been used when experimenting with criminal psychopaths. The high psychopathy students scored low empathy and Iowa Card Gambling Task, measuring the orbitofrontal cortex, the frontal area of the brain for emotion and decision making. The results of these tests were just like the result of the criminal psychopaths and showed a connection with the brain structure and psychopathic traits. Moreover, the high psychopathic students, and actual criminal psychopaths both resulted in a normal executive function and IQ. However, even with the traits of psychopaths, the students successfully achieved their goals and went into a good university.

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Furthering the studies of psychopathy, there are two main theories that have been used to explain this abnormalities in the brain. The first theory is called the Somatic Marker Hypothesis of Damasio (1994) which proposed that damage to the prefrontal cortex in the brain causes poor decision making abilities which shows a lack of potential development for the somatic aspects that are linked to the excitement of rewards and/or punishment. This leads to an inconsiderate attitude towards any negative consequences as well as social rules or outcomes. This theory is supported by its neurobiological equivalent which is the orbitofrontal and medial frontal cortex in the brain which is responsible for decision making and other cognitive processes. Neuropsychological evidence proves that the Somatic

What were the Research Questions or Hypotheses in the article? Copy them directly from the article. Then, using YOUR OWN WORDS, briefly paraphrase what these mean. 5 points

or work,? Should I wear the red or black shirt.? Those are easy decision but as the day keeps going we have more hard decisions to make. For example, Should I apply to college, community college, private college or acquire a job.? We actually have to think about what we decide because depending on the decision we will detect the impact in a few years. Here is when the critical thinking is crucial. According to the article, “ Looking To the Future With a Critical Eye ” Dr.Yanklowitz states, “ Critical thinking and argument skills-the ability to both generate and critique arguments-are crucial elements in decision making.” Every time that we are about to build serious decisions such as college decisions or any other decision; we have to analyze all our options and perceive what are the advantages and disadvantages of it. After all the brainstorming, now we are ready to identify what is more beneficial for us if a two years of college, a four years of college or not college at all. Critical thinking is a fundamental tool that we to hold as consideration; in every decision

In mainstream culture and science alike, the attitude of psychopaths is that they are emotionless or violent by nature. Researchers have often suggested they are made, not born; consequently, which is it? According to Xun Zi, the man by nature is evil. According to several studies, there’s a genetic predisposition to antisocial behavior. As of today, studies show there is no known cure for full-blown psychopathy; psychopaths are found in every country, belong to every race, and the majority are men. Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by remorseless and impulsive antisocial behavior. It can be diagnosed only using the 20-item Hare Psychopathy Checklist and according to psychology today a score of 30 and above classifies as a

Psychopathy has been identified to be a personality disorder mainly consisting of individuals having lack of empathy, guilt and manipulation of other people, (Perez,2012). This disorder has been strongly associated with violent and antisocial behaviour. The main cause of psychopathy has been seen to biological, this essay will attempt to discuss psychopathy is biological as well as discuss counter arguments as well.

In the article they research if psychopaths have the capacity empathy. This is connected with the human mirror neuron system and is basic to the capacity for moral reasoning. A lack of empathy is usually associated with alexithymia or with reduced mirror activity in the brain. They research this by measuring the degree of people’s empathy. They do this true a behavioral point of view; through verbal and nonverbal communication, the expression of Editorial empathy in feelings or comments, or in facial and bodily reactions to others. The results of their research indicated that psychopaths experience empathy and it may be a motivational factor in moral development.

Psychopathy is a disorder that may be difficult to spot in a person as they may seem normal and charming on the outside but within they lack conscience and empathy which may lead to them being manipulative and volatile. Psychopaths tend to have no empathy or feel real emotion for others but can easily gain people’s trust by mimicking the other’s emotion. Psychopathy is often scrutinized into three salient facets: affective, interpersonal, and behavioral traits (Hawes 623). Affective refers to the callous-unemotional traits which is a limit of empathy, lack of guilt, and shallow affect. Interpersonal refers to manipulativeness and behavioral is referred to as impulsively

Much like the University of Pennsylvania study, results indicated that reduced functioning in parts of the brain involved in moral decision making and the expression of emotion may help to explain psychopathy (Glenn et al, 2009; Marsh et al., 2011).

Critical thinking is an intellectually disciplined process of diligently and skillfully applying, analyzing, and synthesizing information that can be gathered by way of observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication ("Defining Critical Thinking," 2017). Critical thinking is a skill that is imperative for individuals to hone as it can help to avoid problems. Unfortunately, not many individual perceive this to be an essential skill, therefore, a road of destruction lies head. In addition, we discussed the concept of tradeoffs. According to the text, tradeoffs are the choices that we have to make when we are faced with alternative objectives. As stated by the author, “you cant have your cake an eat it, too”(Hammond,

As there have been ongoing studies, which go on to, suggest that there are two distinct subtypes of psychopaths. According to a study (Vassileva, Kosson, Abramowitz, & Conrod, 2005),” identified four subgroups of offenders, including primary and secondary psychopaths”. As there have been many psychopaths which help to predict both violent and non-violent recidivism and in many cases it was due to a lack of treatment. The primary subtype of psychopathy is based on personality and emotions. Primary psychopaths exhibit traits consistent with Cleckley’s (1976) “conceptualization of the psychopath, such as lack of remorse, lack of empathy, and shallow emotions”(p. 954). Secondary subtype of psychopathy is based on their behavior and lifestyle. “Secondary psychopaths are reportedly characterized by greater anxiety and negative affectivity, a higher level of substance abuse, and lower scores on PCL-R Factor 1 than primary psychopaths”(Blackburn, 1998). This, in psychopath results in behaviors such as impulsive, irresponsible, aggressive and life of

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