#pyschopathy

“Courts have repeatedly held that evidence relating to both future dangerousness and impaired volitional control is highly relevant to sentencing decisions. Because of this, commentators have pointed out that evidence of a biomechanism associated with antisocial behaviors such as psychopathy may present a double-edged sword. And, indeed, some judges have considered such evidence mitigating (i.e., decreasing sentence), whereas other judges have considered the evidence aggravating (i.e., increasing sentence). Both sides of the double-edged sword rely in part on hard biological determinism, or the idea that once we know something about an individual's genes or brain, we can predict or explain his or her behavior. Thus, under a retributive or “just desserts” theory of punishment, evidence of a biomechanism may reduce judgments of culpability because it identifies an internal and stable cause of behavior believed to be outside the individual's control. At the same time, under a utilitarian theory that seeks to promote social welfare, the biomechanism may increase punishment, as the immutable characteristic suggests that he or she will likely reoffend. Such determinist perceptions of immutability may be especially pronounced for biomechanisms involving DNA-based evidence.” - The Double-Edged Sword: Does Biomechanism Increase or Decrease Judges' Sentencing of Psychopaths? by Lisa G. Aspinwall, Teneille R. Brown and James Tabery.

The thing about Sherlock being a sociopath is A) Psychologists argue over whether there’s a difference between psychopaths and sociopaths?? Like correct me if I’m wrong my research was limited but yea. B) Sociopaths WOULD NOT tell you they were a sociopath. It takes off an edge, no body trusts you if they know you’re probably manipulating them. If someone brags about being one, they most likely aren’t. C) He cares to much. He has empathy, and lacking that is a big part of having ASPD. Some sites said sociopaths can make one or two friends who they genuinely care about, but that seem controversial. I'm putting this in the ASPD tags and such, let me know if you want to add anything or if I'm wrong