Abstract
Psychopathy is an issue of concern form the criminal justice system and require long-lasting solutions. A wide range of scholarly sources agree that psychopathy in both adults and children can be traced to the functionality of the brain other than the issues of emotional distress earlier discussed . In this regard, behavioural science key to addressing underlying psychological issue that lead many young people t o end up in crime. The application of the Psychopath Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), together with the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaires have revealed that certain disruption in the environment of an indiv id ual in the course of their upbringing is responsible for the development of psychopathic tendencies. Therefore, the solution to the disorder lies in nature and nurture constructs. It is through behavioral sciences that the leading causes of irrational behaviors can be addressed. Otherwise, any attempt to address such kinds of characters without seeking to understand the underlying problems would be merely cosmetic.
Introduction
Criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency are indictors of underlying psychological issues. Attempts have been made in psychological research to discuss the underlying factors in psychopathy. For instance, Bartol & Bartol (2017) postulated that there are vital psychological explanations related to psychopathy. As further intimated by Durand & de Calheiros Velozo (2018) , intentional violations of the law, such as felony and criminal activities, as well as the engagement of juveniles in criminal activities, have, for a long time, been addressed through several psychological interventions. It, therefore, follows that in the context of juvenile and adult psychopathy, there are several underlying psychological issues. In essence, this means that behavioral science which entails the various aspects of psychological therapeutic measures, can be used to address these criminal activities in the society. Pesonality disorder and emotional detatchment are pertinent issues in juvenile and adult psychopathy. These issues may be further confounded by the environment. Aspects of behavioral science such as predicting behavior are imperative in understanding and addressing these psychological issues.
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Personality Disorder and Brain Function
Not many psychological constructs agree regarding the precise contours on juvenile and adult psychopathy ( Pridemore et al., 2018 ). Despite this, there is a general agreement supported by numerous research studies to the effect that psychopathic personality issues are directly linked to the question of emotional detachment. Studies such as Hastings, Michie & Johnston (2019), March (2020) perceive juvenile delinquency and adult psychopathy as some aspects of personality disorders mainly propagated by the inability of an individual to deal with emotions on various fronts. This could be either because of emotional detachment that an individual has experienced or failure to deal with specific issues of life ( Bartol & Bartol, 2017) . From the assertions of Pridemore et al. (2018) , it is evident that the development of psychopathy, either in adults or juveniles, can be primarily attributed to personality issues. The suggestions of Pridemore, Makel & Plucker (2018) are to the effect that the manifestation of these behaviors related to psychopathy in both adults and children can be traced to the functionality of the brain other than the issues of emotional distress earlier discussed.
While it may be very concise that psychopaths experience entirely different emotional expressions as compared to the non-psychopaths, the question of the functioning of the brain cannot elude any observant psychological discourse. Notably, the psychopaths tend to process their emotions from a superficial level, an attribute that has been directed to brain functionality ( Bartol & Bartol, 2017) . They are likely to exhibit emotions that are used to manipulate others even though this is not pursued in a “genuine manner “as intimated by Hawes et al (2017). What is evident herein is that the whole thought frame of the psychopaths, regardless of age, is entirely different in terms of the manner that they function. According to Hastings, Michie & Johnston (2020) , they appear to be less likely to use the outer cortex of their brain to process information. Notably, when they are eventually able to process the information, the frontal lobe or the occipital lobe in the brain is applied. In essence, therefore, one would view the brain functionality as a factor explaining juvenile and adult psychopathy ( Bartol & Bartol, 2017) .
Environment – Nature and Nurture and its Contributions to Psychotherapy
The psychological constructs of nature and nurture have been at the core of discussions regarding psychopathy. Several research studies have been able to corroborate this assertion that factors such as the influence of peers, parents as well as abuse are core factors that can be used to explain psychopathy in both the children and the adults. The application of the Psychopath Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), together with the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaires, Hawes et al. (2017), was able to establish that there was a pattern of disruption in parenting for those who were considered to be psychopathic. In essence, the prevailing environmental conditions in the society can be blamed for the advancement of psychopathic characters witnessed therein.
Notably, antisocial tendencies, as discussed within the discipline of psychological circles, have a very reasonable influence on the character traits of individuals in the society ( Bartol & Bartol, 2017) . In a sense, therefore, the discussions regarding nature and nurture, very crucial aspects of psychology, can be mentioned to be very critical determinants of individual behaviors. This was affirmed by Bartol & Bartol (2017), who suggested that even though there are genetic factors that are associated with the antisocial traits in adults and children, these can sway other putatively environmental factors. These include parent-child relationship issues ( Bartol & Bartol, 2017) .
Behavioral Sciences and their Roles in Addressing Juvenile and Adult Psychotherapy
The discussions of Hastings, Michie & Johnston (2020) have affirmed that several psychological dispositions can be applied in the analysis of juvenile and adult psychopathy. Since behavioral science explains the underlying psychological issues that are associated with crime and the recividism, it would be quite essential to apply key aspects of behavioral science to diagnose problems associated with psychopathy in both adults and the children.
A critical role of behavioral science in understanding psychopathy can be viewed from the suggestions of Hawes et al. (2017) to the effect that it is applicable in understanding the underlying factors behind these sets of characters. For the psychologist, any intervention method towards psychopathy is never sufficient unless the underlying issues are addressed. This is why the suggestions of Durand & de Calheiros Velozo (2018) have been applied to the development of intervention strategies for juvenile delinquency. It is through behavioral sciences that the leading causes of such irrational behaviors can be addressed. Otherwise, any attempt to address such kinds of characters without seeking to understand the underlying problems would be merely cosmetic.
Durand & de Calheiros Velozo (2018) also talks of applying behavioral science to predict behavior and, perhaps, the motive behind certain behavioral tendencies. This has been primarily applied in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, where the intent behind any action is critical in prosecuting any case. By applying various concepts of behavioral science, law enforcement agencies can have a broader understanding of what motivates or inspires individual behavior. Moreover, through the evaluation of these patterns of behavior, the agencies can predict the behavior of these individuals.
Conclusion
Psychopathy can be viewed from the perspective of nature and nurture, very pertinent aspects of psychology that assess the role of the environment in nurturing human behavior. Moreover, from this study, it is evident that brain functioning can be used to explain how psychopath develops in individuals. These are two key elements of psychology that are associated with psychopathy. Besides, this study reveals that to have a broader understanding of behavior, prediction as well as evaluating the motives and behavioral science has been an essential tool for analysis.
References
Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2017). Introduction to forensic psychology: Research and application . Sage Publications.
Durand, G., & de Calheiros Velozo, J. (2018). The interplay of gender, parental behaviors, and child maltreatment in relation to psychopathic traits. Child abuse & neglect , 83 , 120-128.
Hastings, J., Michie, S., & Johnston, M. (2020). Theory and ontology in behavioural science. Nature Human Behaviour , 4 (3), 226-226.
Hawes, S. W., Byrd, A. L., Waller, R., Lynam, D. R., & Pardini, D. A. (2017). Late childhood interpersonal callousness and conduct problem trajectories interact to predict adult psychopathy. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry , 58 (1), 55-63.
March, E. (2019). Psychopathy, sadism, empathy, and the motivation to cause harm: New evidence confirms malevolent nature of the Internet Troll. Personality and individual differences , 141 , 133-137.
Pridemore, W. A., Makel, M. C., & Plucker, J. A. (2018). Replication in criminology and the social sciences. Annual Review of Criminology , 1 , 19-38.
Thomson, N. D. (2019). Understanding psychopathy: The biopsychosocial perspective . Routledge.
