A few days ago a colleague and I fell into a
discussion about Psychopaths – wondering if psychopaths have distinct
brain structure, the impact of early childhood experience, etc. And, it shouldn’t
come as too much of a surprise that we both came to think about the popular
Showtime series Dexter.
A few days later I find myself watching the new season
8.
It took us 8 seasons before we finally see Dexter
experiencing a kinda serial killer’s version of a midlife crisis. Not only is
he still talking to his dead foster father Harry - a constant since Season one
– but now he’s getting a play by play in video form, courtesy of the mysterious
Dr. Vogel.
Dr Evelyn Vogel is introduced as a as a psychiatrist
that is also called the 'psychopath whisperer' reveals she was the mastermind
behind the “Code of Harry” that he lives by. “I helped create you,” she says,
and he responds, “You sound like Dr Frankenstein.”
What the good doctor says to a shocked Dexter next is
fascinating - consider
“Psychopaths are not a mistake of nature – they are a
gift, they are alpha wolves that will help the human race survive long enough
to become civilized – an indispensible demographic. She goes on to tell Dexter
that psychopathic traits can be found in the most successful CEOs and the most
effective politicians. Without the psychopaths mankind wouldn’t exist today. “
As we know several
studies have been conducted to try and better understand psychopathy. One of
the more common theories regarding psychopathy is that psychopaths are
incapable of emotional learning, due to abnormalities in their amygdala, which
is responsible for regulating emotion and aggression. Psychopaths do
not learn from punishment, and so never gain a social conscience. This, in
turn, is the reason they lack empathy for others and feel no remorse for their
violence.
But is there is
evolutionary value or basis for the traits that define 'psychopathy?
