She studied extreme psychopaths. Here’s what it taught her about human nature | Abigail Marsh

Summary

In this insightful talk, Professor Abigail Marsh of Georgetown University challenges the notion of human selfishness by examining psychopathy and altruism. She explains that psychopathy, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is characterized by a lack of empathy and callous behavior, while altruism involves extraordinary selflessness. Marsh suggests that people can become more altruistic by starting with small acts of kindness, highlighting the joy and social benefits of helping others.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The existence of psychopathy provides evidence that humans are not fundamentally selfish, as psychopaths lack genuine concern for others' welfare.
• 🌟 There is a spectrum of psychopathy, with some individuals exhibiting 'anti-psychopathic' traits, showing a high capacity for caring and altruism.
• 🔍 Science has identified specific brain regions associated with valuing other people's welfare, suggesting an innate human capacity for empathy.
• 🌱 Trusting one another is a more enjoyable and accurate way of being than cynicism, and understanding human nature can foster a more trusting society.
• 👩‍🏫 Abigail Marsh, a professor at Georgetown University, studies the neural and cognitive basis of empathy, altruism, and aggression.
• 🎭 The concept of psychopathy derives from Hervey Cleckley's work, who described psychopaths as outwardly normal but with profound emotional deficits.
• 🗡️ Extreme psychopathy can lead to serious antisocial behavior and violence, with serial killers like Gary Ridgway exemplifying this.
• 😶 The 'mask of sanity' refers to psychopaths appearing normal while concealing severe internal emotional deficits.
• 🔑 The difference between 'psychopath' and 'sociopath' is that 'psychopath' is a clinical term, while 'sociopath' is not used in scientific contexts.
• 🧬 Psychopathy is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting a small percentage of the population and is characterized by early brain differences.
• 🛡️ Altruistic individuals, on the opposite end of the spectrum, are characterized by humility, belief in others' goodness, and sensitivity to distress.

Q & A

What is the common misperception about human nature discussed in the script?

The common misperception is that humans are fundamentally selfish, meaning every motivation is based on self-interest and there is no capacity for genuinely caring about others.

Why does the existence of psychopathy provide evidence against the idea of humans being fundamentally selfish?

The existence of psychopathy, a disorder where individuals genuinely do not care about others' welfare, shows that the capacity for caring is not a universal human trait, suggesting that people are not inherently selfish.

What is the spectrum of psychopathy like according to the script?

Psychopathy exists on a spectrum, with very psychopathic people at one end, people in the middle, and 'anti-psychopathic' individuals at the other end who are unusually caring and altruistic.

What regions of the brain have been identified as encoding the value of other people's welfare?

The script does not specify the exact brain regions, but it mentions that there are identified areas that seem to encode the value of other people's welfare.

Why is it important to have a better understanding of human nature based on scientific literature?

A better understanding of human nature is important because it promotes trust among people, which is a more enjoyable and accurate way of being than being cynical.

Who is Abigail Marsh and what does she study?

Abigail Marsh is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown University, and she studies the neural and cognitive basis of empathy, altruism, and aggression.

What is the significance of the book 'The Mask of Sanity' by Hervey Cleckley in the context of psychopathy?

Hervey Cleckley's 'The Mask of Sanity' is significant because it captures the essence of psychopathy, where individuals outwardly appear normal but have profound internal deficits in emotion and engagement with others.

What are the key traits that compose psychopathy according to the script?

The key traits of psychopathy include a mean, callous disposition; a bold, socially-dominant personality; and disinhibited or impulsive behavior.

How does psychopathy relate to aggression, and what is the difference between reactive and proactive aggression?

Psychopathy is associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in aggression, especially proactive aggression, which is deliberate and aimed at achieving a goal, as opposed to reactive aggression, which is a response to feeling threatened or frustrated.

What is the difference between 'psychopath' and 'sociopath' as used in the script?

'Psychopath' or 'psychopathy' is a scientific and clinical term, while 'sociopath' or 'sociopathy' is not. Clinicians and scientists use the term 'psychopathy' to refer to the disorder.

How can people test their level of psychopathy or altruism according to the script?

People can test their level of psychopathy using self-report tests like the TriPM, available on the PsychopathyIs website, and their level of altruism using the HEXACO personality test, which measures the belief in the fundamental mattering of other people.

What are some ways people can become more altruistic according to the script?

People can become more altruistic by starting with small, feasible actions to help others, which can naturally lead to greater generosity. The script also suggests that policies promoting well-being can encourage generosity.