Psychopaths wired to seek reward at any cost: study

[FarCenter]

AFP - The brains of psychopaths could be hardwired to seek reward even when the consequences are life-threatening to others or themselves, according to a study released Sunday.

A naturally-occurring chemical, dopamine, plays a key role in some forms of pathologically violent behaviour and drug addiction, the study found.

Previous research has focused on what psychopaths tend to lack -- fear, empathy and the ability to maintain normal relationships.

But a team led by Joshua Buckholtz of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee examined what there is too much of, namely impulsiveness and an extreme attraction to risk-taking and rewards.

"Lack of sensitivity to punishment and a lack of fear are not particularly good predictors of violence or criminal behavior," said colleague and co-author David Zald.

The new data suggests that psychopaths "have such a strong draw to reward -- to the carrot -- that it overwhelms the sense of risk or concern about the stick," he said.

The key may be dopamine, a neurotransmitter known to affect cognition and behaviour, especially related to motivation, punishment and gratification.

Cocaine, alcohol and nicotine all stimulate the brain's dopamine circuits.

Other pathological states linked to dopamine dysfunction include autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

"Psychopaths are often thought of as cold-blooded criminals who take what they want without thinking about consequences," Buckholtz said.

"We found that a hyper-reactive dopamine reward system may be the foundation for some of the most problematic behaviors associated with psychopathy, such as violent crime, recidivism and substance abuse."

<SNIP>http://www.france24.com/en/20100315-psychopaths-wired-seek-reward-cost-study

[babylonsister]

1. Sounds like rethugs.

:shrug:

[Kievan Rus]

2. That explains the behavior of most rich people in ten words or less

[Ardent15]

7. "Most"?

Psychopathy has nothing to do with your wealth.

[Fumesucker]

10. No, but wealth often has to do with psychopathy..

Pursuing a reward at any price, sounds like the way a lot of people get rich.

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. Sounds a lot like

those who are desperate to claim a wholesale enslavement to a criminal industry as a "win".

[Donnachaidh]

5. it most certainly does, doesn't it?

Many many examples of that lately. Too many.

[ecstatic]

18. Or those who would let millions die if their preferred plan isn't on the table nt

[Ardent15]

4. Psychopaths can't really be "cured"

As their actual brain structure is different from most people.

They simply lack the capability for empathy.

[Donnachaidh]

6. well that covers 100% of Fox News talking heads. n/t

[aquart]

8. The article just told you that there is more to it.

My gosh, it is possible that more could be discovered even tomorrow...or is everything already set in stone?

[undergroundpanther]

12. Yep there is no cure

So what do we do with them.Babysit them in jail? Let them destroy whatever they want to get what they want?
One psychopath can be responsible for hundreds of crimes,and there is no cure.Basically we are locked on a planet with them with no escape.

[valerief]

9. And the smartest of them work on Wall St. or for For-Profit Medical Insurance Cos. nt

[The Doctor.]

11. Ooooh... I get to post a response! Ooooo! Ooooooooo!

My response is posted! Ooooo! Oooooooh!


YES!

[anigbrowl]

13. And the best part is, it can be content-free!

Generic observation restating my political views, with no real connection to the scientific aspects of the article!

[The Doctor.]

14. Not sure I follow.

[gratuitous]

15. Liar

Your response was most definitely not posted at the moment you typed that it was.

[Ignis]

16. Read _Snakes in Suits_ on this topic.

http://www.amazon.com/Snakes-Suits-When-Psychopaths-Work/dp/0061147893/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

[Greyhound]

17. ..

Too much to go into, but this is important.

[Uncle Joe]

19. It sounds like there was an evolutionary need for psychopaths back in the day,

these would have been the risk takers, probably the first pre-humans to come down from the trees and take a chance at getting eaten by predators to get that dopamine rush.

Of course anything to an extreme can be dangerous, but perhaps this can be treated?

Thanks for the thread, FarCenter.

[RagAss]

20. Samuel Colt had a strategy.