The ability of psychopaths to experience emotion

Introduction/Aims: The aims of this study were to determine, in a medium-sized sample, the proportion of psychopaths who experienced any emotion (and which one) during a childhood characterised by abuse, and also currently in relation to those who mistreated them. Hypotheses: There is no difference between the range of emotions experienced by psychopathic children and that of the neurotypical population. There is a difference between the range of emotions experienced by adult psychopaths and that of the neurotypical population. Methodology: Administration of a questionnaire comprising multiple-choice questions, ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions, and some open-ended questions to allow for a more comprehensive and in depth analysis. The closed-ended questions were based on the WHO criteria for physical, sexual and verbal abuse. Sampling was conducted using a snowball method via the internet, comprising twenty-five psychopaths. Results: Results: 68 per cent negative emotionality in the sample towards their abuser. This was observed in both children and adults. Discussion: I do not intend by this to dismiss the research that tells us there are genetic influences. Genetic influence exists, as does environmental influence. However, it would be incorrect to call it a genetic disorder; rather, it is a multifactorial disorder. Even with all the genetic and neuropsychological alterations, psychopaths retain the capacity to experience a spectrum of emotions similar to that of the neurotypical population. The sample cannot be considered large, but the study cannot be dismissed on the basis of its (medium) sample size.