Psychopathic behavior is hard to think about in any other way but deviant. If we forget about the socially constructed ideas which Psychopaths deviate from, we can see that this difference in behavior may be beneficial to the individuals themselves. This article highlights the idea that Psychopaths may have physically adapted In order to survive in a world where manipulation and lack of loyalty can give them an advantage. A lack of devotion to one’s partner will allow a psychopath to have many mates in one lifetime, thus carrying on their traits. The lack of empathy and an extremely narcissistic attitude can also allow psychopaths to become successful.
The article also points out that a disorder is defined as something which inhibits the ability for a human to adhere to its most basic nature, which, at its heart, is the ability to reproduce. Therefore, psychopathy should not be defined as a disorder, but a reproductive advantage. It’s interesting to think of psychopathy from this standpoint because if we look at how psychopaths function, it seems beneficial to them. In reality, the forces which inhibit a psychopath’s success are social norms and more importantly, laws. But, without these laws, a psychopath would truly thrive.
This psychopathic behavior is beneficial for the individual rather than the group and can only exist if the majority of people are empathetic and trusting of others. Therefore, it begs the question, would a society where only psychopaths (or what we define as psychopaths) exist be functional?
This is a very interesting -innovative- way of looking at psychopathy. However it’s very hard to share and even agree with this perspective, personally speaking of course. Psychopathy like any other mental disorders has always been thought of “a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual and which is not a part of normal development or culture.” (Wikipedia) Therefore it’s difficult to wrap my mind around psychopathy representing a reproductive advantage, however I can understand how through manipulation a psychopath can gain such advantage.
That being said I’ve always been interested on this topic. I find the idea of complete apathy absolutely fascinating and one of my favorite series is Hannibal Lecter. It’s very interesting to watch a psychopath in action and realize that what is perceived by most of us as horrific is delightful to those like Lecter.