Sociopaths #1

Our brains hold many secrets and clues to our behaviour:

A brain area called the ventral striatum — a region tied to evaluating the value of immediate rewards — was overly active in participants deemed highly sociopathic. Sociopaths typically lack empathy and only do things that benefit themselves. 

How do sociopaths fit into our society now? How do you have a relationship (friendship or otherwise) with a sociopath when you know you ultimately cannot rely on them for any form of unconditional love or altruistic action? 

I think it’s possible to have the view that relationships are expendable if not beneficial but not have strongly sociopathic tendencies. We are all expendable. It does hurt a part of me to let people go that hinder my progress or growth, but I am capable of it. Ultimately its up to each of us to interact and benefit or move on to make other connections – and that is largely what we all do. Being ruthless is easier for sociopaths, and hence they probably have a place in our evolution as they make ruthless decisions easier and can achieve things that are difficult without the guilt or emotions that arise when making decisions that increase their survival probability. Sociopaths are limited as they cannot reap the benefits of true empathy in the path of cognitive growth and imaginative thinking. The classification of a sociopath actually helps if you choose to have a relationship with one because it sets up boundaries and it makes sure you adjust your expectations. 

I have met a sociopath who was violent when he didn't get what he wanted. This is the most dangerous form of sociopath because the empathy (or conscience) that would normally provide a measure safety to the victim isn't there. In fact, the sociopath would more likely blame the victim for their very own lack of control.