Psychopathic Criminals Have "Empathy Switch"

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Psychopathic Criminals Have "Empathy Switch"

Posted by timothy on Thursday July 25, 2013 @02:21AM from the why-some-people-think-I'm-nice dept.

dryriver writes "Psychopaths do not lack empathy, rather they can switch it on at will, according to new research. Placed in a brain scanner, psychopathic criminals watched videos of one person hurting another and were asked to empathise with the individual in pain. Only when asked to imagine how the pain receiver felt did the area of the brain related to pain light up. Scientists, reporting in Brain, say their research explains how psychopaths can be both callous and charming. The team proposes that with the right training, it could be possible to help psychopaths activate their 'empathy switch', which could bring them a step closer to rehabilitation. Criminals with psychopathy characteristically show a reduced ability to empathise with others, including their victims. Evidence suggests they are also more likely to reoffend upon release than criminals without the psychiatric condition."

9 of 347 comments (clear)

With the right training, huh? by i+kan+reed · 2013-07-25 02:23 · Score: 5, Funny

How about we hold their eyes open and force them to watch horrific, violent videos, preferably multiple at a time.
1. Re:With the right training, huh? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-25 02:32 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They'll be cured all right.
2. Re:With the right training, huh? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-25 02:35 · Score: 0, Funny
  
  listening to Mozart, with eye drops in order that their eyes won't wither ? Sorry Dude, It's been already tried ...
3. Re:With the right training, huh? by Type44Q · 2013-07-25 02:42 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  How about we hold their eyes open and force them to watch horrific, violent videos, preferably multiple at a time.
  I doubt that would've caused them to vote differently yesterday...
4. Re:With the right training, huh? by jason.sweet · 2013-07-25 03:22 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Holy fuck YOU'RE dense. Were you born without the ability to comprehend humor?
  He probably switches it on and off at will.
5. Re: With the right training, huh? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-25 04:27 · Score: 0, Funny
  
  Shouldn't you have just taken him to the edge of town and stoned him?
6. Re:With the right training, huh? by davester666 · 2013-07-25 05:24 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  So why don't we do that instead of electing them to public office or making them executives in the banking industry?
  
  --
  Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
Re:How would you know by i+kan+reed · 2013-07-25 02:35 · Score: 4, Funny

Well, if they don't want to go back to their seat in congress after the treatment, they're better.
Re:There's only one empathy switch by OakDragon · 2013-07-25 02:43 · Score: 1, Funny

It turns on the electric chair.
I first read this as "It turns on the electric car ." ... I thought "This must be the most bizarre thread derailing to environmental feel-goodism I've ever seen." Then I remembered this is Slashdot.

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