CANAL-U

Psychopathy is a developmental disorder associated with significantly increased risk for antisocial behavior and emotional dysfunction, including reduced empathy. But what is empathy? In this talk, I will consider three potential forms of empathy: cognitive empathy (Theory of Mind), motor empathy and emotional empathy. I will conclude that only the latter is impaired in psychopathy and, more specifically, only the emotional response to the fearful and sad expressions is impaired in individuals with the disorder. I will relate the empathy impairment seen in psychopathy to reduced functioning of the amygdala, particularly in response to the emotional expressions of fear and sadness. I will then consider the importance of this form of responding for later development, in particular, moral development and socialization. I will conclude with data showing reduced functioning of the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in children with psychopathy during moral reasoning.

Origine

SPI-EAO CERIMES Canal-U Santé et Sport

Générique

Auteur: James Blair N.I.M.H Bethesda - Unit on affective cognitive neuroscience.