A cognitive developmental approach to mortality: investigating the psychopath

Cognition. 1995 Oct;57(1):1-29. doi: 10.1016/0010-0277(95)00676-p.

Abstract

Various social animal species have been noted to inhibit aggressive attacks when a conspecific displays submission cues. Blair (1993) has suggested that humans possess a functionally similar mechanism which mediates the suppression of aggression in the context of distress cues. He has suggested that this mechanism is a prerequisite for the development of the moral/conventional distinction; the consistently observed distinction in subject's judgments between moral and conventional transgressions. Psychopaths may lack this violence inhibitor. A causal model is developed showing how the lack of this mechanism would explain the core behavioural symptoms associated with the psychopathic disorder. A prediction of such a causal model would be that psychopaths should fail to make the moral/conventional distinction. This prediction was confirmed. The implication of this finding for other theories of morality is discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / complications*
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Morals*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales