Table of contentsRecent developmentsNew technologies and impactMajor countriesGovernment fundingSocial and economic impactsConclusionPsychopathy is a personality disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. The stereotype associated with psychopaths is that they are all "cold-blooded killers", but this is not true. Most of those who exhibit psychopathic traits are often considered the average citizen, with most occupying high-ranking positions such as CEOs or lawyers, because their psychopathic traits allow them to excel in competitive workplaces. Approximately 20% of America's criminal population are psychopaths (Dr. P. Babiak & Co, 2012), meaning that more than 400,000 people in detention centers are psychopaths. Before being incarcerated, many of these psychopathic criminals were still seen as a typical member of society. In saying that, what exactly is a psychopath? Although there is debate among forensic psychologists, here are the most recognized traits of psychopathy: Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Superficial charm – Insensitivity and lack of empathy Manipulation and pathological lying – Impulsivity and irresponsibility Lack of remorse or guilt – Insincere emotional responses Sexual debauchery – Criminal Versatility/Juvenile DelinquencyFailure to accept responsibility for their actionsPsychopaths are up to four times more likely to reoffend than those who do not show psychopathic tendencies. A study conducted in 1988 by Canadian researchers concluded that after a period of three years, 80% of criminals with a high rate of psychopathy had reoffended (S. Porter, 1988). Although these statistics are often blamed on a failing criminal justice system and rehabilitation program. , psychopaths scientifically do not respond well to any form of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is defined as the process by which inmates change and move away from their previous lifestyle. The goal of rehabilitation is to help and teach inmates not to commit crimes. Common forms of rehabilitation are not effective on people with psychopathic tendencies because they do not deter punishment. Indeed, they generally do not fear “social stigma” (Dr Nigel Blackwood, nd). Dr Nigel Blackwood, a leading forensic psychiatrist at Kings College London, said a reward system is the most effective method of rehabilitating criminalized psychopaths. An example of this would be rewarding good behavior with special privileges like their favorite food. to debate whether psychopathic criminals should be released from prison after serving their sentence, or whether they should remain in a rehabilitation center or psychiatric ward. Recent Developments Psychological understanding has changed over the past four decades and the number of people interested in forensic psychology has increased enormously due to media publicity of illicit cases, one example being the Ted Bundy murders. Due to the growing interest and concern in forensic psychology, recent scientific developments have helped society understand the mind of a psychopath. Developed in the 1990s by Robert Hare and still used to this day, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) is a test used to understand whether a subject exhibits signs of psychopathy, as well as the degree ofpsychopathy presented. The PCL-R test is used clinically as well as in court because it helps the judge make a decision on how the criminal should be treated in prison as well as the length and type of detention sentences (Mind Disorders , 2008). The study of epigenetics in criminal psychopaths and the epigenetic difference between violent and mild psychopaths is essential to understanding the development of psychopathy. Epigenetics is often referred to as the study of changes in an organism caused by reshaping gene expression rather than reconstructing the genetic code. Kristen Hovet, a science journalist based in North Dakota, argues that the development of violent psychopathy requires specific genetic components “interacting with certain environmental insults” (K. Hovet, 2016). Examples of this would be perceived inequality or injustice, neglect and suffering caused by loved ones. Additionally, a study led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison examined functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI) of prisoners' brains; the experiment determined that psychopathic prisoners had a reduced connection between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala (2017). This information is important as the vmPFC and amygdala are responsible for feelings such as fear, anxiety, empathy, and guilt – traits that psychopaths lack or have difficulty exhibiting. New technologies and their impact Technology is constantly improving in the modern era and, as a result, scientific research is becoming more precise and accessible. New technologies have significantly improved the state of psychology research and revolutionized the study of psychopathy at the cellular level. The first functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI) was invented by a Bell Labs cohort led by Seiji Ogowa. fMRI scans the brain and measures blood flow in the brain when a person performs a task. fMRI works on the theory that energy requires glucose and oxygen, it shows which neurons in the brain use the most energy during a task (WR Uttal, 2002). This imaging technique has prompted psychologists to research the physical brain functions of psychopathy. Major CountriesCurrently, the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom are at the forefront of psychopathology research, but Israel is a leader in the field of trauma-related mental disorders. Specifically, for psychopathic studies, Harvard University in Boston, MA, and Kings College London are at the forefront of research. Dr Robert Nigel is a leading forensic psychologist located at Kings College. Government Funding Government funding of psychopathy and criminal studies is justified because their results could affect the lives of thousands of people. If the government did not invest research and money into determining whether psychopathic criminals pose a security risk to society, the lives and well-being of many people could be put at risk. Government funding of forensic psychology and psychopathy research helps improve the criminal justice system and has the capacity to revolutionize rehabilitation techniques in detention centers, particularly for violent criminals exhibiting psychopathic symptoms. The government's findings have already moved this case forward overseas.Social and Economic ImpactsPhillip Garrido, a high-ranking psychopath currently serving 431 years in prison, is known for the 1991 kidnapping of 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard. Jaycee Dugard was..