Genetic and environmental factors in the development of psychopathy

Psychopathy is defined as a risk factor for sexual and physical violence in the future. Although psychopaths are not often motivated to pursue intervention, studies indicate that they can benefit from psychological intervention. Psychopaths are mainly characterized by remorse and lack of sympathy for others and even their loved ones. This paper summarizes the extent to which genetic, environmental, cognitive, and developmental influences contribute to the development of psychopathy.

Genetic

Genes perform an important part in the growth of psychopathy. Researchers have discovered that antisocial behavior results from both genetic and environmental effects. However, it is shown that genetics contribute significantly to the development of psychopathy especially where previous family members have had the disorder. Genetic transfer of the disorder to children is always evident. However, socializing and other ecological factors link with genetics: they influence the extent of the psychopathic characteristics (Blonigen et al., 2008). Researches have also revealed important heritability to psychopathic characteristics when these are evaluated using self-report actions. Although particular genes appropriate to psychopathy have not yet been recognized, most individuals believe there are probably several genes which promote psychopathy, just as there are several genes engaged in most medical circumstances which are partially heritable. Moreover, there is improving proof that environmental and genetic factors interplay, and psychopathy may indicate a connection between these two factors (Viding, et al., 2005). Common environmental aspect is those factors of the surroundings that usually get individuals to like each other more, like parents and growing up in a particular community. To the level that the parents act the same way with all their kids, any repercussions of staying with parents should have the impact of creating two-twin babies more just like each other (Canli, 2006).

Environmental

Various studies have established that genetics affect legal or antisocial activities. Scientists believe the fact that genes influence behavior and disorders, such as psychopathy. However, researchers also argue there is an environmental component that triggers psychopathy. Environmental aspects like family and peers are an essential factor, based on the social learning theory. Family atmosphere is critical to a child's upbringing, and if issues exist, the child is highly expected to suffer the repercussions. Issues associated with the growth of a child can control anti-social or illegal activities. In this light, some studies have claimed that the family atmosphere influences criminal or antisocial behavior of kids. Researchers specifically identify family risk indicators as education, poverty, parenting practices, and the family structure. Prior analysis of the connection between family atmosphere and child's actions characterizes the well-being of a child with a positive and caring parent-child connection, a stimulating home atmosphere, and consistent disciplinary techniques (Blonigen et al., 2008).

Poor communication and unstable family bonds have a connection with the development of criminal and aggressive behaviors in children. As such, it is clear that families that are financially unstable tend to have more children and are unstable to give constant punishment to their kids will have a higher likelihood of promoting an atmosphere that will impact anti-social or psychopathic tendencies. Another indicator of future anti-social or legal actions is neglect and abuse during childhood. Statistics reveals that kids are at a fifty percent higher chance of engaging in criminal behavior if they were abused or neglected in childhood. It is the most cited justifications why kids develop delinquent or anti-social behavior (Taylor et al., 2003).

Which of these influences do you feel the most important?

Scientists from several institutions recently researched on the role of genetics, the environment, and interpersonal factors in influencing the occurrence of psychopathy. Psychopathy result in the deficiency of feelings, deficiency of regret or shame, dysfunctional attachment, and often anti-social propensities, thought to be caused by genetics (Viding, et al., 2005).

In their sample, they found that the male twin children showed more psychopathic actions overall. In addition, boys scored greater on antisocial, mother-child connection issues, and school and legal issues. Girls scored greater on educational accomplishment and engagement and family level issues. From this perspective, I believe these results regarding relationship issues are significant. This trend of disturbed parent-child relationships and anti-social propensities that triggers a series of developmental processes leading to educational failure, deviant peer affiliation, peer rejection, delinquency, and drug abuse. I propose that genetics are the most important factor leading to the development of psychopathy. Ideally, genetic factors are a likely source of such individual variations that the influence other factors such as environmental, cognitive, and developmental problems (Salekin, & Lynam, 2010).