Psychopaths: nature or nurture? Any published research?

Question

IMO, the 3% of the population that are psychopaths are responsible for 99% of the world's misery. This question has been asked before on Answers and elicited alot of opinions but I'm more curious about serious scientific attempts to address this issue. Thanks.

Answer 1

Try this link.

http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/09/what_are_psycho.html

I am also curious about this question. I watch Law and Order ( all 3) all the time. Often lawyers try to get their client a not guilty verdict by pleading insanity or that the client was unaware of the crime they were commiting.

I believe that this game with words is just another way of not owning up to responsibility.

It certainly isn't nature. I believe that we all are a product (victim) of our environment whether rich or poor. Rich folks have problems too.

Answer 2

Most scientific models and theories agree that both nature and nurture are factors. Consider for example the Diathesis-Stress Model, which basically means that someone that has tendencies or a biological inclination toward being psychopathic might not behave that way if they are in a normal environment. For example, someone biologically inclined to be shizophrenic but reaised in a healthy loving environment might not ever behave that way. But if that same person is kidnapped, or put into some sort of high stress environment, the psychosis is more likely to manifest. Basically the idea is that both Nature and Nurture play a role in a person's mental state. Hope this helps.