IndexRecent developmentsNew technologies and impactLeading countriesGovernment fundingSocial and economic impactsConclusionPsychopathy is a personality disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. The stereotype associated with psychopaths is that they are all "cold-blooded killers", however this is not true. Most of those with psychopathic traits are often considered average citizens, most achieving high-ranking roles such as CEOs or lawyers as their psychopathic traits allow them to excel in competitive workplaces. Approximately 20% of the criminal population in America are psychopaths (Dr. P. Babiak & Co, 2012), meaning that over 400,000 people in detention centers are psychopaths. Before being incarcerated, many of these psychopathic criminals were still perceived as a typical member of society. That said, what exactly is a psychopath? While there is debate among forensic psychologists, these are the most agreed upon traits of psychopathy: Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Superficial charm - Insensitivity and lack of empathy Pathological manipulation and lying - Impulsivity and irresponsibility Lack of remorse or guilt - Insincere emotional responses Sexual debauchery - Criminal/juvenile versatility Delinquency Inability to accept responsibility for one's actions Psychopaths have a chance up to four times more likely to reoffend than those who do not show psychopathic tendencies. A 1988 study by Canadian researchers concluded that, after a three-year period, 80% of criminals with a high rate of psychopathy had reoffended (S. Porter, 1988). Although these statistics are often attributed to the failure of the criminal justice system and rehabilitation program, psychopaths scientifically do not respond well to any form or rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is defined as the process by which inmates change and move away from their past lifestyles. The purpose of rehabilitation is to help and teach prisoners not to commit crimes. Common forms of rehabilitation are not effective on people with psychopathic tendencies because they do not discourage punishment. This is because, typically, they do not fear “social stigmatization” (Dr. Nigel Blackwood, n.d.). Dr Nigel Blackwood, a leading forensic psychiatrist at Kings College London, has stated that a reward system is the most effective method of rehabilitating criminalized psychopaths, an example of this would be rewarding good behavior with special privileges such as their food favorite. This leads many to debate whether psychopathic criminals should be released from prison after serving their sentences, or whether they should remain in a rehabilitation center or psychiatric ward. Recent Developments Psychological understanding has changed over the last four decades and the amount of people interested in forensic psychology has grown immensely due to the media publicizing of illicit cases, an example being the Ted Bundy murders. As a result of the growing interest and concern in forensic psychology, recent scientific developments have helped society understand the mind of a psychopath. Developed in the 1990s by Robert Hare and still used today, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) is a test used to understand whether an individual has signs of psychopathy, as well as the degree of psychopathy exhibited. The PCL-R test is used both clinically and in court as it assists the judge in making a decision on how the criminalshould be treated in prison and on the length and type of prison sentences (Mind Disorders, 2008). The study of epigenetics in criminal psychopaths and the epigenetic difference between violent and mild psychopaths is key to understanding the development of psychopathy. Epigenetics is often defined as the study of changes in an organism caused by the reformation of genetic expression rather than the reconstruction of the genetic code. Kristen Hovet, a science journalist based in North Dakota, states that the development of violent psychopathy requires specific genetic components that “interact with certain environmental insults” (K. Hovet, 2016). Examples of this might be perceived inequality or injustice, abandonment, and suffering caused by loved ones. Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of prisoners' brains; experiment established that psychopathic prisoners have a reduced connection between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala (2017). This information is significant as the vmPFC and amygdala are responsible for feelings such as fear, anxiety, empathy, and guilt – traits that psychopaths lack or have difficulty displaying. New Technologies and Impact Technology is constantly improving in this modern era, and as a result, scientific research is becoming more accurate and accessible. New technologies have significantly improved the state of psychological research and revolutionized the study of psychopathy at the cellular level. The first functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was invented by a group at Bell Laboratories led by Seiji Ogowa. fMRI scans the brain and measures blood flow in the brain while a person performs a task. fMRI works on the theory that energy requires glucose and oxygen, it shows neurons in the brain using more energy during a task (WR Uttal, 2002). This imaging technique has influenced psychologists to research the physical functions of the brain related to psychopathy. Leading Countries Currently, the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom are at the forefront of psychopathological research, but Israel is at the forefront of trauma-related mental disorders. Specifically, when it comes to psychopathic studies, Harvard University in Boston, MA and Kings College London are at the forefront of research. Dr Robert Nigel is a leading forensic psychologist at Kings College. Government Funding Government funding for psychopathy and criminal studies is justified because their results could affect the lives of thousands of people. If the government does not invest research or money into whether psychopathic criminals pose a security risk to society, the lives and well-being of many could be put in jeopardy. Government funding of forensic psychology and psychopathic research helps improve the criminal justice system and has the ability to revolutionize rehabilitation techniques in detention centers, especially violent criminals with psychopathic symptoms. The government's discovery has already brought this case abroad,Social and economic impactsPhillip Garrido, a high-ranking psychopath currently serving 431 years behind bars, is known for the kidnapping of 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard in 1991. Jaycee Dugard he was kidnapped by Garrido and his wife of 18 years was raped repeatedly, constantly fed lies and was impregnated twice by Garrido, giving birth once at 14 and again at 17 (Carla Norton, 2014). Phillip Garrido's case was publicized and still causes outrage globally, mostly.