How can parents transform their child into a psychopath?

What can make a person a psychopath? Mass culture likes to tell the townspeople the shocking stories of insensitive monsters. The most striking examples, perhaps, are Hannibal Lecter ("The Silence of the Lambs") and Patrick Bateman ("American Psycho"). But are there any real reasons for the appearance of such sensational characters?

A meta-analysis of Norwegian researchers revealed new significant details

A team of scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, under the direction of Professor Aina Gullahaugen, conducted a comparative analysis of studies of psychiatric offenses, the results of which have been published in the scientific literature over the past 30 years. The early researcher already conducted her own meta-analysis in the Norwegian high security prisons. The conclusions of the scientific group challenge some of the old assumptions about psychopathy. According to Professor Gullahaugen, there are two determining factors that are common to our today's heroes. It is about the connection with parents and the methods of education.

What can lead to ill-treatment?

There is no shadow of doubt among Norwegian researchers that a child who has been abused by his parents or guardians will become merciless in the future. Many criminals, with the help of unmotivated aggression and cruelty, tried to compensate for the damage caused to them in childhood. It should be noted that all these attempts resulted in a violation of the law.

Extremes of the styles of education

Many of the psychopaths who are currently behind bars shared with the researcher memories of the style of parenting that their parents used. In addition to physical violence and cruel punishments, these people recalled other features that could be considered extremes. This could be total authoritarianism or lack of interest in their lives on the part of adults. If in the first case the child was subjected to strict control and should have strictly observed all instructions, in the second case no one cared about him (in fact, he was left to himself and did not know what maternal love is).

Denial forms psychopathic inclinations

Both extremes work out a feeling of rejection in the child. For example, the authoritarian style of education completely suppresses the will and independence of the child. This contributes to the formation of psychopathic inclinations and makes a person subsequently act ruthlessly.

Finally

There is no doubt that psychopathy is formed not only by nature, but also under the influence of the extremes of upbringing. Considering the motives of criminals, one can not explain their actions with just one factor. In the case comes a combination of biological characteristics, temperament, nature and degree of vulnerability of a person. Not all reckless behavior is due to poor upbringing, just as not all crimes are due to the fault of bad genetics.