Everyone is born with different genetic and neurological predispositions and inherited biological capabilities that get changed after the interaction with specific social, familial and cultural conditions. These conditions play an important role in shaping the personality and temperament of a person. Biological and environmental factors are the bases of criminal behavior. The modern studies have shown that neuropsychology and genetics play an essential role in the making of a criminal psychopath. To study the influence of genes in person’s antisocial behavior, the scientists answered with twin and adoption studies which showed that a person could inherit schizophrenia, depressions, intelligence, alcoholism, neurotic disorders and criminal behavior.
It is suggested that the abnormalities in a youth’s brain that can cause psychopathic behavior may run in families. The temperament related to the fear responses and low arousal, connected to psychopathy, affects the formation of conscience and guilt in a person.
Neurophysiology factor play’s more significant role in the formation of psychopathic behavior than the genetic factor. Neuropsychological markers are detected in psychopaths in different nervous system indices like cardiovascular and electrodermal measures.
Scientists found seven such genes that can be associated with psychopathic behavior. Mostly these genes cause some brain dysfunctions which in turn cause antisocial behavior. For example, a functional or structural disorder of prefrontal cortex can stimulate violent behavior. However, Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) gene plays an instrumental role in preventing psychopathic behavior in human beings (Bartol & Bartol, 2014).
The history of treatment of criminal psychopaths is replete with violent recidivism. Usually, they do not respond to the psychiatrists. Therefore, their treatment includes techniques to get them to cooperate and follow the instructions of the therapists. However, cognitive behavioral therapy targeting “criminogenic needs” is recommended for psychopathic offenders. It follows the principals of correctional treatment. This program also focuses on deviant sexual preferences and antisocial attitudes(Harris & Rice, 2006).
