A fair question is, what are psychopaths, and where do they come from?

Where can psychopaths be found?

Truth be told, you don’t have to look very far. They can be found in every part of our society. They can be found in every career and job site. They can be found in the cream of society all the way down to prisons in jails.

Every level of socioeconomic status has psychopaths in them. You cannot identify them simply by looking at them. They look like anyone else.

A psychopath does not understand the feelings of other people. They cannot imagine how another person feels. Since they do not understand how another person may feel, they cannot make real connections with other people.

Imagine someone who does not feel sympathy, empathy, or remorse. Without the ability to experience those feelings, they have difficulty experiencing guilt, regret, remorse, or shame. They can be deceitful, manipulative, and focus on what they want, no matter what the impact or cost is for other people.

The feelings and rights of other people are only a concern as obstacles to be overcome.

How does the psychopath become a psychopath?

To answer that, you first have to start at a person’s childhood. At this time, there is no clear evidence that there is a particular gene or genes that make people psychopaths. It is known, however, that it can run in families. That suggests that genes can play a role.

The child’s family and home environment interact with the genetic predispositions. That unique interaction of genetic predisposition and family/parenting has an impact that sets the child’s trajectory in life.

What family factors can move a child into a developing psychopath?

What negative family experiences can occur day after day, month after month, year after year that may shape the personality of a psychopath?

At least three things can be suggested. First, the child may be a victim of, or experience, some type of abuse or neglect. Second, growing up in a dysfunctional home. Watching parents in regular conflict and fighting, and even seeing them be physically violent with each other, sets what the child learns as normal.

Inconsistent, unpredictable, unstable care or expressions of love and affection can lower the child’s expectations for what to expect from relationships or from other people…even if they are the people who are supposed to love and protect you.

What good are other people?

Why bother to care about them when they have consistently disappointed and ignored you?

Not worth an investment.

What might an at — risk child look like?

To my knowledge, there is not a textbook description. In the very young child, he or she may be naughty and misbehave, but will never show signs of remorse or guilt. You might use consequences or punishments for the misbehavior, but the behavior does not change.

The child may be sneaky and do things covertly.

He or she will know not to do something, but if no one is looking, why not?

Lying and selfishness may also be part of the picture.

The older child developing psychopathy may hurt or torture animals because of their inability to experience empathy. The ability to inflict pain and suffering is fun and exciting. Their callousness can result in some really alarming behavior. Criminal behavior may come along sooner rather than later. Problematic behavior may begin when in groups, but solitary criminal behavior may ultimately evolve.

Anyone can be a parent. Being a good parent is work, challenging, and takes loving effort. It can take a long time to see the positive results of parenting. The parents’ impact on the child will last a lifetime.

The results of problematic parenting may occur sooner rather than later. Each psychopath has a story.

— Dr. Joseph Switras provides clinical psychological services at United Health District in Fairmont to people age 5 and up.