Psychopathy, adaptation, and disorder

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Psychology
• Psychopathology
• Behavioral Genetics

Background:

• A previous study found psychopathy negatively correlates with violence toward genetic relatives.
• This finding was interpreted as supporting an evolved life history strategy, challenging the mental disorder hypothesis.
• Subsequent critiques raised questions about this interpretation and the definition of mental disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address misunderstandings regarding the harmful dysfunction definition of mental disorder in psychopathy.
• To clarify the concept of nepotism in the context of psychopathy research.
• To re-evaluate the evidence for and against psychopathy as an evolved strategy versus a mental disorder.

Main Methods:

• Re-examination of the harmful dysfunction definition of mental disorder.
• Analysis of the concept and application of nepotism in evolutionary contexts.
• Critique of evidence linking psychopathy to other disorders and alternative models.

Main Results:

• Misunderstandings regarding the definition of mental disorder and nepotism were identified.
• Evidence presented by critics suggesting psychopathy is associated with other disorders was examined.
• The alternative model proposed by critics was evaluated.

Conclusions:

• Little evidence supports the view that psychopathy arises from dysfunctional mechanisms.
• The interpretation of psychopathy as an evolved life history strategy remains a viable hypothesis.
• Further clarification is needed on the conceptualization of psychopathy within both evolutionary and clinical frameworks.