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

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.

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.

Integrated Emotion Systems Model

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

Boston University

Similar to sociopathy, this condition is a lack of empathy and understanding of others. Emotions may not be experienced much at all in these individuals. However, the emphasis relies more on manipulative behavior. True social connections may not be possible, only feigned. Though manipulative and unempathetic, these individuals can be seen as charming to others and capable of maintaining a relatively normal life. Unlike the sociopath, they tend to be more risk-averse and caring about themselves. 

Additional definition 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

Studies show that psychopaths do not react negatively to words about violence. Imaging studies show that they have reduced activity in prefrontal cortex and a smaller prefrontal cortex, which may impair their ability to control impulsive behavior

Psychopaths and violence

Theoretical Models for Causes of Psychopathy

Salekin, R. T. (2019). Psychopathy and therapeutic pessimism clinical lore or clinical reality? Clinical Forensic Psychology and Law, 257–290. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351161565-14 

Psychopathy and therapeutic pessimism clinical lore or clinical reality?

Beliefs that psychopathic individuals are immune or too challenging to treat continue to spread pessimistic views on the effectiveness of treatments for psychopathy. However, there is little scientific basis for this belief, and effective psychotherapy treatments for psychopathic individuals exist. 

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