ght(Damasio, Grabowinski, Frank, Galaburda & Damasio, 1994), or even what Damasio, Tranel, and Damasio (1987) refer to as acquired sociopathy (Hare, 1996, pp 46). Likewise, Oltmanns, Neale, & Davison (1991) indicate that there is evidence of a genetically inheritable predisposition for psychopathy, possibly involving the autonomic nervous system, which is connected to emotion. This idea is based on studying psychopaths particular adeptness at ignoring stimuli. Research has also supported the theory that psychopaths fail to appreciate the emotional significance of an event or experience. This, along with unwillingness or inability to process or use the deep semantic meanings of language, may be causal in psychopaths apparently subtle form of thought disorder. This apparent lack of central organization of behavior and logic may be a factor in the aggressiveness of their behavior (Oltmanns, Neale, & Davison, 1991). Furthermore, the family environment of psychopaths may contribute to their abnormal behavior. Finally, avoidance learning may contribute to psychopathy. People suffering from this disorder seemingly feel no need to avoid the negative consequences of social misbehavior. Therefore, they may have few inhibitions about committing antisocial acts since they have been shown to lack symptoms of anxiety. This lack of learning from negative experiences may contribute to psychopathy. All of these factors may contribute to psychopathy somewhat. The resulting lack of anxiety and emotional affect may lead psychopaths to seek excitement in ways that are more aggressive. Since they are apparently unaffected by the consequences of these impulsive and often criminal behaviors, their appears to be little to deter them from this destructive thrill-seeking. A...
