The response modulation model posits that psychopaths, once engaged in a dominant response set (i.e. the pursuit of a desired reward), develop psychological “blinders.” They become oblivious to extraneous stimuli, including cues of punishment. As a result, they don't learn readily from their mistakes, especially when presented with competing reward and punishment contingencies.

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- Fearlessness model
- Low arousal model
- Response modulation model
- Integrated emotion systems model

Theoretical Models for Causes of Psychopathy

Reidy, D. E., Shelley-Tremblay, J. F., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2011). Psychopathy, reactive aggression, and precarious proclamations: A review of behavioral, cognitive, and biological research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(6), 512–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2011.06.002

Psychopathy, reactive aggression, and precarious proclamations: A review of behavioral, cognitive, and biological research

The fearlessness model suggests that psychopaths are characterized by an abnormally high fear threshold. As such, they don't experience as much fear as do non-psychopaths in anticipation of punishment. This type of fearlessness gives rise to the other core features of psychopathy. For example, children who lack typical fear won't react strongly to criticism from their parents and other significant adult figures and thus won't internalize a strong conscience.


Fearlessness Model

The low arousal model theorizes that psychopaths have an abnormally low level of autonomic arousal. Consequently, they experience chronic “stimulus hunger” and tend to seeking out risky activities as a means of satisfying their boredom.

Low Arousal Model

Response Modulation Model

The integrated emotion systems model Integrates earlier models and hypothesizes that dysfunction of the amygdala hinders the development of empathy. Consequently, psychopaths can't be morally socialized and are prone to socially deviant behavior.

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