Psychopathic Criminals Have "Empathy Switch"

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."

Comments

With the right training, huh?

[i kan reed]

How about we hold their eyes open and force them to watch horrific, violent videos, preferably multiple at a time.

Re:With the right training, huh?

[Anonymous Coward]

They'll be cured all right.

Re:With the right training, huh?

[Type44Q]

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...

Re:With the right training, huh?

[jason.sweet]

Holy fuck YOU'RE dense. Were you born without the ability to comprehend humor?

He probably switches it on and off at will.

Re:With the right training, huh?

[davester666]

So why don't we do that instead of electing them to public office or making them executives in the banking industry?

Re:How would you know

[i kan reed]

Well, if they don't want to go back to their seat in congress after the treatment, they're better.