Three Ingredients for Murder: Neuroscientist James Fallon on psychopaths and libertarians

[Alba12349]

blablabla don't trust a psychopath.

[MConnors1987]

his polo shirt doesn't match his eyes PSYCHOPATH.



[CorneliusPappenheime]

A psychopath rarely carries out a serious crime, they actually tend to avoid long incarceration.

[IsolationInstigation]

I wasn't aware of the brain-damage explanation. Very interesting.

[Redflowers9]

he is good because he doesn't have many emotionally driven opinions to confuse the info with

[myassin2009]

What about indirect abuse? Like having seen your parents raped and burned to death? Could that turn an individual into a psychopath?

[buugiman78]

The connection between psychopathic tendencies and libertarianism is something I can relate to. Most of the libertarians I have met seem to have have a limited capability for empathy. They live in their own little bubble. The same is probably true for communists too. The irony is that although they are in a sense super rational their inability to take into account the human condition their assumptions tend to become superficial constructions that normal people realize would never work.

[LucidDreamz]

Who wants to bet he has 30 bodies hidden under his basement flooring? :o.

[MrBeesness]

Funny + Libertarian +Not a pshyco +Nice= Good in my books

This guy just surpassed my formula! :D

[malkooth]

Fallon says he qualifies as a psychopath and then happily equates his libertarianism with the same patterns. Well Fallon is obviously highly intelligent and advocates deeper work and understanding. I have the feeling that the majority of libertarians avoid this type of work. What I've seen is that libertarians base their reasoning on self-serving ideation and unexamined personal psychology.

[JOEtheHOTTIE]

does anyone else think this is all bullshit? he's probably just wanna sell some book or something.

[aliciab27]

@77fortran no he didn't hit on why more men are psychopathic maybe because that hasn't been studied enough. More men are killers but in psychology we link this to cultures of emotional suppression in males, testosterone, gender roles "men are tough & mean" attitudes. Women psychopaths are more likely to swindle money, cheat etc not a psychopaths kill the main thing is: having no conscious. They're impulsive but slow at mid 40's generally still abuse others in some way.

[RonyoFox]

@aliciab27 You should watch the TED Talk he did, "Jim Fallon: Exploring the mind of a killer", he actually mentions why men over women tend to be killers. :)

[77Fortran]

Is it clear from this scientific understanding why the majority of psychopathic killers are male?

[wolverineminer]

@77Fortran I've heard it's because the so-called warrior gene is x chromosome linked. So a woman has to get the gene from both parents, and the male has to get it from one. Also, as aliciab pointed out gender norms and cultural influences definitely have an effect.

[Salamphoenix]

well it is now known that not all psychopaths are killers. In fact, most of them are not. And personally, I believe that having a brain of a killer doesnt mean one is a killer. This could sound a little childish, but the heart plays also a big role in the personality of a person. If the heart is sound, the whole body is sound and if the heart is sick, the whole body is sick...

[wolverineminer]

@Salamphoenix UH, prove it? Evidence? The heart in the physical sense pumps blood. The heart in the quasi-mystical sense is a product of the brain.

[Antiks72]

The Ayn Rand cult crowd fits this bill.

[kokotye157]

mandatory brain scans where people can be put in prison for pre crimes? you do understand what you are implying ? but then again, maybe we should perform the test you talk of to wall street bankers, hedge fund managers, tea party politicians, the koch brothers......

[asleeperj]

@kokotye157 Do you understand what YOU are saying. He is implying, if you have read it, 1984. I doubt you have read it, because, you made your statement. 1984 was a warning to people who love freedom, and a how to book for those who don't. It was brilliantly written, by a former socialist. Educate yourself, then speak. Don't speak, before you educate yourself.

[kokotye157]

@asleeperj ....ok no I haven't read 1984 maybe i will in the future however i have read plenty within and outside of my two master degrees and my comment stands....

[MAZDAKPRODUCTION]

This is BS. Any one could be a psycho in the right environment

[Finnbar01]

This is very scary.... 'it will interesting to see what role ultimately neuro-science plays in public policy.'

This will become the scourge of the 21st century.

[Finnbar01]

We are all potential  psychopaths. This is old news.

[oti87]

@1dreamalways3 psychos also realizes their anger evenmore there were psychiatrists that were murderers, I think he isnot a murderer because he didnt suffer constant abuse in his childhood. you are northamerican could you explain me the relation -in this video- between psychopaths and libertarians (because im italian and spanish speaker and i dont understand that point) im studing the relation between capitalism and psychopathy and why there are so many SK in US and I think is extremely interes

[Aidsus]

free will is the greatest illusion of all time.

[my4thone]

@Aidsus ....how about some responsibility and impulse control, youre talking about a world that puts indulgence before principle commonly, how in the world would they fit in

[LloydChristmas777]

@BluelightMercury, you saw about 9 minutes of video one one man and you assume he never questions something?

[LloydChristmas777]

Very interesting video. Thanks.

[jetset808]

@1dreamalways3 i was kinda joking but.. having a good understand of psychopathology would make him able to fake it if he was.. psychopaths are able to fake caring and some of them do it really well and become actors.. it's really hard to tell unless you know the person well.. his family vouching for him is probably the best sign thats he's ok

[MopDMTBARTL]

you want stop physocopaths and people going nuts and hurting other people. stop the oppression, stop prohibiting people from consume the best medicine in the world, cannabis. nobody has ever snapped on pot and killed people, it brings too much peace to the mind. it relaxes you, giving you a sense of well being and any hate that resides in you, is gone completely. that's why it's illegal, the corrupt bankers can't profit off violence if it's legal to consume it

truthknowledge. com

[jetset808]

i wonder if this guy really is a killer and he's just faking being ok... thats something a psychopath would do

[unclesamfatg]

Im both a libertarian anarcho-capitalist and dont believe in this free will bullshit. And I am very rarely angry. What does that mean, am I a psychopath? LOL!

[munkdo4]

@unclesamfatg yes

[theporksicle]

They should do a big study looking at the brains of convicted felons of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds and who have been convicted of various types of crime. Then they could after a few years they could look at the correlation between re-offending and brain activity. Is it generally true to say that once someone with a 'psychopathic brain' starts committing crimes they are significantly less likely to stop that someone with a normal brain? It may well be.

[afaultytoaster]

so libertarians are psychopaths from middle class families

[squirreljester2]

I'd actually like to take one of these tests, where can I find a center to go and get tested?

[RagnarRedbeardxxx]

I like this guy. Never heard of him before.

[awwNotYourPlace]

@RagnarRedbeardxxx yeah, me too

[jetrpg22]

As renegade said, atm there is little threat of neuroscience being applied to populations via gov controls. However, if the gov. offers enough money you'll find the neuroscience to play monkey for the gov policy.

Oh and Wamill3r, if the brain is deterministic, what is the point of even mentioning that, after all it will be what it will be. As will anyone's brain reading that comment.

[MaikUniversum]

ok, now tell me the name of the background music? Which artist is that? What track? Please, I would appreciate.

[WAMill3R]

There is no such thing as "free will". The human brain is a deterministic organ.

[marsbarz]

The problem with being held responsible for committing a crime is that it is not completely nonexistent a phenomenon that when others see you as harmless, they begin to believe that they can start committing offenses against you.

So how do you deal with that kind of insidious behaviour on the part of so-called non-psychopathological people? Everyone talks a big game about communication or honesty but I suspect that it is almost universal for the individual to experience few that deliver it. >>>

[marsbarz]

@marsbarz

Long story short I hate writing seriously, it depresses me.

[xninjazx6r]

ppl here are so mature lol wtf so gay

[barbarabell2011]

Dr. Fallon is to be admired for his total honesty about his ancesters and the psychopathy that runs throughout his family tree. Many Ph.D.'s would not dare share this most personal and private information about themselves, let alone, their family. Thank you for posting this video.

[kurd26]

@barbarabell2011 don't let that fool you, that's a psychopath trademark, to put on a great act, to convince the viewer he's a good guy, that he's just innocent and didn't know any better, but the truth is they know exactly what their doing, they just don't care

[figthersdreams]

‘ There’s nobody indentical. Even identical twins are not identical right now’

'Goverments tend to treat everybody as the same. They have to in a way it’s an even fair application of the law but it violates all the individuality that is really in us and it is very limiting.'

[qwexas]

@wh1teflower Go on. Explain more thoroughly how sin is caused. And tell us how you know, what qualifies you to say it, and in what ways Fallon is wrong. Point out the flaws with neuroscience. If you want us to believe you, convince us, but you will have to depend your opinion from our skepticism.

[wh1teflower]

this is a load of crap, people are responsible for what they do, its not a brain defect its the enemy called satan that puts thoughts in peoples heads, and its their choice to do it or not, but once you keep doing the sin you have fallen into it becomes an addiction and you lose your moral compass

[UnholyBlackDeath]

@wh1teflower Satan? lol Stop being silly

[sirigi22]

@wh1teflower lol!!!!

[thruthelookinglass]

@wh1teflower Only a person who believes in satan, and throws around the word; 'sin' as if they are stuck in the 1800's would call documented and proven neuroscience ''load of crap''.

[Attritive]

@thruthelookinglass That's a spectacular argument.

[jpc51768]

yeah, was for me too..

[haypenny]

What a lovely, brilliant man Dr. Fallon is - must be odd being a cousin of Lizzie Borden. Although, Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Lizzie in an old TV movie, was also the 6th cousin of Lizzie, which is even weirder.

Lyle H. Rossiter, Jr., M.D. has done years of study on the mind / pathology of a Leftist, and it's conclusions are anathema to logic and reason.

[arynolds]

Fascinating!

[suitandtieguy]

nice interview.

what is the music from? i think i recognise it.

[eyhexs]

we are going to have to come to terms with the fact that in the nature vs nurtrure dilemma, nature wins, it holds much more weight; we are not blank slates;

besides, as far as something like this goes, take into account the fact that the people raising these children also have those tendencies (i mean, the parents also may have sociopathic/psychopatic tendencies); a formula for disaster

[dogbishop]

@eyhexs but dr. jimmie fallon said he has all the biogenetic traits of a sociopath, but his parents were good and nonabusive, thereby "protecting him" from his biology. So he believes that nurture is just as important. After all, his parents had to have the same biology to pass along to him? Could it be that these neuro-bio-genetic discoveries are really just the infancy of this particular science, and we should be careful in over-estimating their usefulness in the next few centuries?

[gkb2010]

Fascinating...

[standj21]

@gkb2010 LOL, you made me think of Mr. Spock. I wanted to say something clever but I can't think of anything.

[Libertarianist]

When pleading insanity the question should be whether or not the person had the capability of considering the legal ramifications to their actions.

[dogbishop]

@Libertarianist Agree. "Did you know you would go to jail if you got caught?" is the only relevant question when deciding ability to stand trial for one's actions. If someone knowingly violates the law, that is the only measure of competence that matters. So lying to investigators, hiding, running from the law, and trying not to get caught for a crime is automatically an indication of rational understanding of the consequences of one's actions and the awareness of violating of the law.

[marklross2]

Fascinating - But I gotta ask - Where can I get the soundtrack music?

[ajr5086]

I don't know about libertarianism being...genetic...but there's an effective solution to "creation" of psychopathic killer. If you eliminated the poor element or increase the level of lifestyle to where children would have a better standard of living.

Child abuse has higher numbers below the poverty line. Even simple recognition that they are less fortunate is never to them, since our culture places being rich as being the best life of all. In the US money equals happy, which is bullshit.

[jpinkard]

It's all bs

[TomSFox]

@jpinkard It must be true because you said it!

[rationalegoist90]

The "it's innate" excuse, if ever successful, would be a disaster. Every part of you, your personality, even the conscious decisions you make are because your brain made you do it, that's common sense, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be held responsible for it. As a matter of fact, free will it would seem is an illusion, since all things that happen according to physics are part of a long chain of physical and chemical reactions, but as far as practice go, this fact is irrelevant.

[DeimosSaturn]

All politicians and priests are essentially functional psychopaths. And I don't just mean clinically, I mean tangibly. Politicians kill people through wars, capital punishment, economics, taxation, etc. Priests kill people by convincing them to kill themselves, by suicide bombing, not taking medication, no seeking medical treatment, not taking vaccines, etc.

[nicademus1974]

@faithnotneeded If you liked them you might be happy to know they are in the studio recording a new album.

[FatherTime89]

It seems a little arrogant to assume all libertarians are logical. No offense but some people can become libertarians just to fit in with a crowd, same as any other group.

[ProtoRyu]

@FatherTime89 Thats called a poser not a libertarian.

[mendelbot]

@FatherTime89 Yes yes, we all agree! So true yes yes! (mendelbot looks around insecurely to make sure that his allegiance is accepted.)

[UnderseaCaveman]

The Calculus of Free Will........

[Sevadonn1]

Mmm, that was quite interesting.

[scott01019]

This was a cool, and interesting interview.

[timstoys02]

As a Libertarian he explained it all for me,but I was Seriously abused, He,He, "Oh Hell No"

[insdel2004]

Wow crazy! That guy has all of the genetics, and brain function of a psychopath, as well as a line of murderers in his family. If I was him I don't think I would go around telling people that. If I was that interviewer I'd run like hell after that interview!

[ApricotRed]

Well I think it is really impressive what good nurture and a high intellect can accomplish in restraining impulses that are there and compensating for empathy that might not be highly developed.

An appreciation for a libertarian philosophy of mutual rights and freedom might go a long way in defusing situations where it might be selfishly logical to commit a crime with low probability of consequences. I'm not insinuating however that Dr Fallon would succumb to that appeal were it otherwise.

[nameofthepen]

What if [brain] form follows function, not vice-versa?

[kev3d]

@nameofthepen In a sense, it is true. Neural pathways form according to specific activities and behaviors being learned, usually at a very young age. However if certain portions of the brain are under developed or even missing, there are limits to what or how the subject can learn. In other words, the wiring of the house may follow function, but the wiring cannot go where there is no room to begin with, so there is a significant difference in the overall design and possible functionality.

[nameofthepen]

@kev3d - well, I can certainly agree with the "missing" part of your statement, but wouldn't the "under-developed" portion of it simply refer back to what I said originally?

[MooseOfReason]

Minority Report!

[Surhotchaperchlorome]

Very interesting video. :)

[smellthenoise]

That last bit is fascinating. I am a libertarian and I've always been morally self guided and able to reason through conflicts rather than fight. It's very interesting that despite being similar to the psychopath in neurophysiology, one can be a pacifist libertarian. I'd love to see that study.

[renegade2142]

Neuroscience has some scary connotations when coupled with big government. Prehaps mandatory brain scans might occur in the future and people get locked up for pre-crimes. The term "thought criminal" comes to mind. I have no doubt that the majority of neuroscience is benign, but many things are benign until they are used for nefarious purposes by unscrupulous men.

[Reeses2150]

@renegade2142 oh yes I have the same sort of concerns, which is one of the reasons I am a strong libertarian and want to limit government power so that they never have the CHANCE to abuse it like that. We have to remember Neuroscience, when done right is not the problem, it's the way government uses the results that's the problem.

[j00ed]

@renegade2142 Yes, but keep in mind Fallon's last point, which is essentially the importance of nurture versus nature. Many have pointed this out before, I'll repeat it; your biology may give you some initial building materials, but the resulting construction can still vary greatly.

[standj21]

@renegade2142 we should also examine those that seek power in government also for neurological illness. if you look back though history you'll find that the most sinister leaders display signs of NPD, Obama even shows some text book signs of NPD. imagine another nut case coming into a position of power with shinny new nukes at there finger tips.

[renegade2142]

@standj21 While I agree with the sentiment, the principle is that no man should be forced to do anything without consent. Whatever our leaders are forced to do, might be forced upon the rest of us. If, god forbid, forced brain scans are forced upon society, of course our leaders should be held to the same standards. But, if the people of this country were well informed, Obama, and those like him would not get elected. Screw the brain scan. Let's just keep on informing the people. :)

[standj21]

@renegade2142 Yes, but... Why then are police officers subject to psych evaluations? they weald far less power than politicians, and are far less dangerous than Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or Obama (that was a cheep shot I know, but I just couldn't help my self) .

[eyhexs]

@renegade2142 "unscrupolous men"

... you mean, psychopaths/sociopaths? ;-)

[renegade2142]

@eyhexs No. I meant government officials who would like to shape society through forced brain-scans. And the oligarchs who got them into power. I guess you could say they are sociopaths though. ;).

[jnjnelson]

@renegade2142 This is exactly why the proper role of government never includes preventing crime - it includes punishment of what has been done in the past, but not what might be done in the future.

Examples of preventative laws: government building permits, speeding laws, mandatory government licensing, and anything else that uses government force for the intent to prevent one person from harming another. Eliminating such preventative laws is the only way to treat everyone equally.

[renegade2142]

@jnjnelson I wholeheartedly agree. In a free society, such laws would not exist.

[theporksicle]

@renegade2142

I think you raise a good point but I don't think lawmakers should shy away from using brain scans to assess re-offending risk in the same way as you may look at other factors. Drug dependent offenders often have to undergo drug tests, mentally unstable offenders may be subjected to psychiatric testing etc to create a risk profile of sorts. Once the field of neuroscience has progressed to the point where it can point out a psychopathic brain why not make use of scans?

[6hundred3score6]

@renegade2142 they'd have to state that free will in that case wouldn't exist. so we have no god, and no free will, fuck lock me up in that case.

[evesrib]

@renegade2142 No, because it takes a severe environmental trigger for the high-risk gene to be expressed.

[jsh78mang]

I loved thie very smart video

[CountArtha]

James Fallon sounds like a serial killer name, actually. Looks like he dodged that bullet too. :P

[Antitheist98]

@CountArtha Yeah that's what comes to my mind when i watch Late Night with Jimmy Fallon or Saturday night live. That guy must be some sort of psychopath.

[motorolarules]

psychopath? Make GREAT POLITICIANS!!! and world "elites"

[oiuoiu988]

mises explained all of this 61 years ago... without neuroscience.

[XCritonX]

Interestingly we can actually change our brain chemistry for the better. Exercises exist to strengthen almost all of our mental capacities. For example regular, structured, intense, physical exercise can help to develop self-control.

Our bran is like a muscle, It is much like a person with a weak body who starts to exercise. It takes time, but you can develop new capacities. Unfortunately, psychopaths generally do not want to change.

[Malthus0]

@XCritonX Brains do change in use. However the reason why childhood development is so important is that foundational mental patterns on which all other development is based are physically etched into the brain. How is such a person meant know any other way? And trying to change such foundational mental patterns could be very problematic like trying to kick a bad habit, except that habit involves just ordinary thinking & functioning.

[XCritonX]

@Malthus0 Change is never easy. The real problem is that we can also get worse. When a person gives into urges once it makes it easier the next time.

Right now I am doing an experiment to change my own brain. I am trying to make it more focused, disciplined and organized. In September I start phase 2. So far I have almost kicked ADD (no longer showing signs most of the time) and my productivity is soaring. I am also feeling more positive in general, but that is a side effect.

[orbenn]

Trippy

[almightybunghole23]

"I'm not violent, but I hate to lose at scrabble!"

[Antitheist98]

Doesn't it just stroke our egos to be called more logical as libertarians.

I mean, we always had a feeling we were smarter than the typical right and left wing people, but this guy is making it official. Soon it'll be scientifically proven. Pop our collars.

[sniper6081]

@Antitheist98 Damn. You're right. We have to make sure this doesn't go to our heads and end up becoming douche bags.

[Antitheist98]

@sniper6081 I hope you're not implying that I am a douche bag.

[sniper6081]

@Antitheist98 No, of course not. I was saying that we, all of us, must make sure that we don't become douche bags.

[Antitheist98]

@sniper6081 You're right. It is much better to be known as the highly logical, yet reserved and humble party, than the cocky, in your face party. Just better PR.

[BlackSoldierFly]

"Nobody ever looks at libertarian's brains".

I'm pretty sure the Democrats have been studying them...

[nhpr]

I've always thought in the back of my mind that political ideology has more to do with brain chemistry than a carefully thought-out world view. It's interesting to see that science may start backing up my inkling over the next few decades.

[MagnusIan]

Science FTW

[truvelocity]

This is fascinating. We are still learning but now have something to go by and work from there for more studies. Thanks for posting this.

[corenothing]

Love it.

[FatherTime89]

This is one of the most interesting things I've ever seen on reason tv.

[kamikazee55]

Mental illness is total bullshit. Psychopaths are capable of being moral. To say that because of their genes, they do not have choice is complete bullshit.

[dennist3hmenace]

@kamikazee55 And your statements are based on what? Let's see your Doctoral Thesis, lol

You're sounding like a scientologist

[RogerOnTheRight]

@kamikazee55 The speaker in the video did not suggest otherwise.

[ColinN16]

@kamikazee55

I'm sure you have expertise in psychopathy with such a radical conclusion, maybe you can expand on your claim with scientific validation?

[kamikazee55]

@ColinN16 Think of all the 'mental illnesses' that are made up. ADD, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar. They are all bullshit. Bad parenting creates kids that don't act 'the way they should', so the parents of course assume that it must be a mental disorder.

Sure, there are some mental problems. However, any time I hear people trying to justify acting stupidly because it's 'in their genes' I get irritated. Ever human being has choice.

[B00mBoomboy]

@kamikazee55 So you're saying that you don't believe in MRIs, and brain scans that indicate abnormal activity? You can use electrical nodes to directly link people's brain waves to a computer that measures their levels. People with ADD produce more Delta waves than the average person. Delta waves occur during sleep. Meaning that people with ADD have to provide constant stimulus to their brains to produce the correct about of Alpha waves enough to concentrate. Are you rejecting all this science?

[kamikazee55]

@B00mBoomboy I'm not denying any of what you said. But I don't justify an ADD kid acting stupid in public because of a so called mental disorder.

Are you claiming that the ADD kid doesn't have a choice in what he does? And secondly, most kids that are diagnosed with ADD don't really have it.

[B00mBoomboy]

@kamikazee55 I don't claim to know whether or not free will is compromised by neurological imbalances, even this neuroscientist doesn't make the claim, and rather speculates on the possibilities of being able to override the lacking function of the frontal lobe, with logic. I just don't think you should make the claim that every single person always has free will at all times. That sounds like some religious ideal. Misdiagnosis' of neurological imbalances also do not prove they don't exist.

[chert95]

@kamikazee55 Have you read the works of Thomas Szasz by any chance?

[truvelocity]

@kamikazee55 It's interesting that all of the brain scans of psychopaths share something in common. I'm wondering if getting at deficiencies and addressing them with supplementation therapy and also working on therapies to condition them to respond with mental tools they didn't develop early in life could change a killer to a functional person with impulse control.

[reub2000]

@truvelocity The first hurdle in doing this is getting the psychopath to see their behavior as a problem.

[JizzonTheDark]

@truvelocity Not a bad idea, but I believe Fallon's point of having a good childhood is the kicker. It truly is a priceless thing that no amount of therapy or drugs can give back. Sexual abuse is the real cause of many ills and there is simply nothing more important than keeping children safe from predators and pornography. Lots of sick people out there and this stuff goes from generation to generation. This is good testimony to that fact.

[meloveanna]

@kamikazee55 it's no more bullshit then saying it's your choice if you get cancer or not.

[SpartaNate]

@kamikazee55 Psychopaths are physically incapable of feeling deep emotions. They cannot feel empathy. It is not a choice.

[antidoteco]

@kamikazee55 - wow- thanks for the input, you must be taking a break from working at NASA, you are so smart....yeah right- you are a moron

[FatherTime89]

@kamikazee55 Mental illnesses are not just psychopaths and having a mental illness doesn't make you violent. They can be things like OCD.

[kamikazee55]

@FatherTime89 OCD=Bullshit. Some people have perfectionist personalities or traits. That doesn't mean they are a victim of mental illness.

[FatherTime89]

@kamikazee55 If you think OCD is only about perfectionist traits then you don't know too much about it. And fine if you want to keep going what about PTSD? What about panic attacks? How much are you going to defend that broad, stupid claim that mental illnesses don't exist?