Posted by Cindy W on April 19, 2000, at 9:31:53
In reply to Re: Sociopathy - a mental illness?, posted by Lunatic on April 19, 2000, at 1:25:27
> "Having worked at a prison for three years now, I am starting to think that sociopathy
> is almost like a different breed. They just aren't "wired" like most people. Somehow,
> where their feelings and empathy should be, there's something missing, if that makes
> sense. I don't think it is a mental illness, so much as a form of "alien species" or
> something. That probably sounds cold, but the calculated, cold-blooded lack of
> moral judgment i have seen makes me feel this way. "
>
> I would venture it is largely enviromental, and you also have your XYY. Also, their behavoir is probably reinforced by a prison enviroment. A lot of them probably come from impoverished and abusive upbringings. If the current system is not working then maybe alternatives should be considered. Because they are different from you does not make them not human. It could be possible that there is a difference in the physiology of a sociopathic brain.
Lunatic, I agree that there are environmental factors, but some people seem to start out with different physiology as well. The current system (prison environment) definitely exacerbates the problem. However, therapy does not seem to really change really sociopathic or psychopathic people (they just get better at what they do). A lot of the people I work with do come from abusive and impoverished backgrounds. It's very frustrating to go there everyday and see more and more come and go without any real changes. I'm not saying they're not human; I'm just saying they're not the same (something seems to be missing--sense of moral judgment, empathy, whatever).
poster:Cindy W
thread:30106
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30559.html