I have become used to being told that I do not have feelings, that I am innately incapable of relating to other people as human beings or having any empathy at all, that this is a core component of what it means to be autistic. I have become used to hearing this said constantly by so-called professionals, dramatically by television personalities, clinically by journalists and academics, and casually by friends, acquaintances, family. But I have never become used to the feeling of absolute devastation weighing somewhere deep in my chest each time I find myself on the receiving end of this accusation.
Empathy is what makes us human.
It’s no wonder that the idea of psychopathy is terrifying. If psychopathy means the inability to experience empathy, and empathy is what makes us human, then psychopathy is literally the dehumanizing condition. Psychopaths populate crime dramas, horror films, murder mysteries, and thrillers. It’s the casual diagnosis for mass murderers, serial rapists, and child abusers.
But it is also deeply personal, profoundly ableist and sanist, and rooted in a complex, interlocking web of structural racism, ageism, and sexism.
She draws connections to autism and sociopathy and criticizes those with disorders who distance themselves from other disorders for the sake of seeming more normal to the ableist:
In response to frequent claims in the media and by policymakers that autistic people lack empathy (and are therefore violent psychopaths), many people in the autistic community, including autistic activists, begin the process of disavowal.
“No, autistic people are nothing like psychopaths. We are more likely to be the victims of crime while psychopaths are usually victimizers.”
“No, someone who would shoot dozens of innocent children wasn’t autistic. That’s not autism. That’s mental illness.”
“An autistic person wouldn’t commit such horribly violent crimes. Only a psychopath could do that.”
If empathy is what makes us human, and autistic people are as human as anyone else, then we must have empathy. It must be some other kind of person who doesn’t experience empathy. It must be someone who is truly psychopathic. This is the logic path that afflicts so many disability communities. Disavowal of one another has become a way of life. Many autistic people routinely decry the use of the slur retarded, yet assert in the same breath that they aren’t crazy or mentally ill.
I love this tendency amongst people to distinguish their own failings as being somehow more excusable than other people's failings, e.g. "my limitations on empathy are not as serious as yours," or "my impulsivity or violence is due to excess of emotion, not lack of emotion," or "I'm only violent when I'm misunderstood, but you can be violent based solely on opportunism."
For more on the problems of stigmatizing mental illness, either coming from within or without the mental illness communities, see also United States President Barack Obama.
Antisocial Personality Disorder = Malignant Autism.
ReplyDeleteI have no academic grounding in psychology - this is just the way things appear to me, as the mother of two adult children with autism and the ex-wife of someone I believe to be a psychopath and the offspring of a psychopath. .
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the difference between people with autism and those with psychopathy is the type of empathy they are capable of feeling. My autistic children have impaired cognitive empathy and have had to learn to recognise when someone else is upset. Their affective empathy - what they feel subsequently regarding that person's emotional or physical state and how they react to it - is not impaired. At this point they show innate concern and upset and could be described as very empathetic.
My ex-husband is very good at reading people and noticing any emotional distress, even when it is subliminal. I believe his cognitive empathy is better than many empaths'. However, he doesn't feel pity or concern (although he might display it) and he often uses that person's 'weakness' to gain advantage for himself. Thus his affective empathy is so impaired as to be non-existent.
It seems to me that autism and psychopathy are opposite sides of the same coin, and I wonder, can psychopaths learn affective empathy the way people with autism learn cognitive empathy? Or more to the point, can they want to?
I too, have always been bewlidered by the tendency to lump
ReplyDeletemost forms of Autism with Sociopathy.
Though there are many levels of Autism, the Autistic is often
introverted and isolated from human contact, where as the Sociopath
is involved and interactive with society in a sometimes harmful way.
There's a difference between ANTI-SOCIAL and A-SOCIAL.
The solution to the problem of asociality and the bitter
"injustice collecting" of an Adam Lanza type is simply to have a supply
of sexually compliant females on hand. People like Lanza can't make
social connections and get out of their rooms. So the females must be
brought to them.
Through a process of cloning, a pretty geshia girl should be in every
home. That way, no one can claim depravation. This is already occuring in various parts of the world, notibily in Latin America.
Some girls are accquired at a young age chained to bed posts and
used for "instructional purposes" to teach boys what it's about.
When they reach adulthood, they are sold off to brothels.
It doesn't need to be quite so dramatic here. The government can tax
and regulate the program.
The only other answer would be to have realistic, female appearing
robots like many men are using in Japan. Unfortunately, the U.S. is far
behind in the development of robotology. Japan is far ahead, but there
are very realistic rubber-molded sex dolls in the U.S. Some, would
still insist on "the real thing," so the chattle idea is the best.
It's true that Autism/ASPD is quite prevalent in the Jewish population.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Autism more prevalent today that it was, say 30 years ago? It's it just that people didn't know what it was back then and labelled it slow learner or whatever umbrella term they used back then.
DeleteMaybe autism is a nervous system response to over stimulation-adaptive evolution perchance?
DeletePerhaps there is also a link in the drastic rise of disorders such as Autism/ASPD and homosexuality.
DeleteHomosexuality a disorder? Really trying to get a rise out of me eh? Fine, I am real upset. Hows that?
DeleteThis is a classic mistake, that people wonder why a disorder has increased in prevalence in only a few decades. The answer is: it hasn't. What has changed is public recognition and perception of a disorder.
DeleteTo put simply, it was always there. They just didn't see it.
Homosexuality is unnatural, therefore it is clearly a disorder, whether you like it or not.
DeleteIt's also extremely unsanitary.
Unnatural implies that it is not of nature.
DeleteIn actuality, it is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals
Actually, it's not normal after all.
DeleteOn the show Mythbusters, they actually had an episode where they covered this popular myth.
The animals are actually exhibiting trained behaviors.
Those are the lengths that ASPD's are willing to go to justify their misdeeds.
It's important not to be so quick to the trigger to justify your beliefs.
DeleteUnder the assumption that it is trained behavior, how is that unnatural? In nature, it is common for the parents to train behavior to young - everything from hunting/gathering for food, to group/social behavior (such as in certain monkey and ape species). Instinct only go so far. This is more-so for humans, where higher brain functions are far more developed.
By the way, when it comes to either taking something from Mythbusters as fact, or actual peer-reviewed scholarly research, you are suppose to take the research.
If you're able to provide reliable sources, then I might start taking you seriously.
DeleteI find the notion of animals training their offspring to engage in homosexual behavior absolutely ridiculous.
DeleteA few reliable sources:
Delete* Animal Homosexuality - A Biosocial Perspective written by Poiani, published by Cambridge University Press.
* Homosexual Behaviour in Animals: An Evolutionary Perspective edited by Sommer and Vasey, published by Cambridge University Press.
** Enigmatic liaisons in Lepidoptera: A review of same-sex courtship and copulation in butterflies and moths, by Caballero-Mendieta and Cordero, published in the Journal of Insect Science.
** The development of male-oriented behavior in rams, by Roselli, Reddy, and Kaufman, published in Frontiers In Neuroendocrinology.
** Measuring same-sex sexual behaviour: the influence of the male social environment, by Baily, Hoskins, Green, and Ritchie, published in Animal Behaviour.
Single asterisk (*) denotes a university-published book which itself has been cited in multiple academic papers. Double asterisk (**) represents a published paper in a peer-reviewed scholarly academic journal.
The list isn't inclusive, just a small sampling from 5 minutes in front of Google Scholar and a major online academic research database.
Good to see that you're finally willing to admit that it's a disorder.
DeleteIt must be pretty awful to inhabit a cultural landscape that owes so much to homosexuals-and don't forget homosexuality is very recent concept, in Ancient Greece it was just an aspect of eros-not the political social construct as it is presently understood.
DeleteThere are only two reasons why you are antagonizing it by calling it a disorder:
Delete1) socioreligious reasons coupled with an insecurity of homosexuality.
2) to simply antagonize, because it is stimulating.
The DSM removed homosexuality as a disorder decades ago.
Try to be less obvious next time. You're making it too easy.
It can be difficult to distinguish between psychopaths and narcissists. In my experience psychopaths lie all the time. If a person doesn't lie, does that mean he/she is more likely to be a narcissist?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing autistics and psychopaths have in common is, both need to act like they are not themselves in order to be considered acceptable.
ReplyDeleteJust because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty profound quote that sums up why antisocial behavior is different than autistic behavior. Social mistakes (by that I mean behaviors that society frowns upon and punishes with ostracism) are made in innocence by the truly autistic and are considered forgivable. The words "you should know better" apply to the sociopath who willfully chooses an antisocial path.
DeleteIf you understand, you can willfully manipulate. That's why sociopaths are a problem for society in a way that autistic types aren't.
But if ones whole nervous system is set to take the 'path less travelled' (in all its manifestations), expecting the sociopathic or psychopathic to take into account such abstractions as feelings seems a feint hope. As reward and punishment do not work on the psycho pathological it will take more than paying attention to fix the issue.
DeleteA sociopath may cognitively know better, but a quirk of having lower emotional barriers - such as being able to feel negative emotions - means that it would only be half-willful to choose an antisocial path. Especially if in their case sociopathy held weight at early childhood, as witnessed by genetic inheritance.
DeleteI am neither violent nor criminal, because I choose not to. I am familiar with the societal consequences of my actions, and have adopted a personal code of conduct that revolves around trying to conform to societal rules. I have found it useful in surviving and thriving in society. Have I ever manipulated someone? Yes, a few. Have I ever not manipulated someone? Yes, the vast majority.
I no more chose to be a sociopath than an autistic chose to have autism. But I have adapted. And so have some autists. However that being said, it does take considerable effort. More-so depending on the person. Other traits, such as sadism, can compound the effort needed to near-unrealistic proportions.
It's key to recognize something from the above: You do not reform and "cease" becoming a sociopath/autist. That is never a choice. What ends up happening is that they adapt, allowing them to reach halfway. The problem though is, unlike autists, society has no inclination whatsoever to even consider reaching the other half out of fear and anger.
edit: typo "...such as *not* feeling negative emotions..."
DeleteWell said all of you. ^
DeleteThere is a lot of range and distinction on the psycho pathological spectrum-there is a lot baggage attached to some of these concepts (due to mainstream media which in part may have a place with the spread of some of these conditions.), maybe what is needed is a new vocabulary- there exists one for emotion and empathy in the form of metaphor and simile, maybe mathematics could provide a more instructive means of explaining the terrain of the psycho pathological.
ReplyDeleteMainstream media has no intention of clearing their projections, because they want the villain. It stokes fear, attention, and ultimately the gain and retention of viewership for ad revenue.
DeleteMainstream media always inculcates the notion that sociopathy is the new 'KOOL'-(hard to deny as we are like the ultimate in enigmatic puzzlement-from the Joker to Lecter, characters drawn from the play box of psycho pathological traits become cult heroes-any wonder we have difficulty with grandiosity and obsession with our conditions?).
Deleteis empathy with out emotion empty?
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that empathy means to feel another's feelings-to feel what the others feeling, as opposed to sympathy which I suspect is a more intellectual approach. I can sympathize, after a bit of effort, but empathy always feels hostile to me because I am so unused to it, I shut down op go full on rage mode, and these responses are deeply hard wired.
DeleteTyranny of the majority will rule always, and labels regardless of what they are ( Autism, sociopathy,…) , have no usage except helping to disenfranchise a group of people from main society.
ReplyDeleteis charm fake empthy?
ReplyDeleteIt is fair to say one can move from his/her 'nature' of autism to psychopathy based on 'nurture' The question is 'is that more likely to happen than happening to a neurotypical (not ultra-empath)? (I personally believe an ultra-empath is more likely to kill for a good reason than an autistic person, but who the hell knows). This really calls for an analysis of who the murderers are out there and what was their motivation and underlying personality disorder. Just debating here.
ReplyDeleteFair to wish that you don't run into a psychopath or a frustrated person with easy access to guns. Could someone summarize who kills for what usually based on continents.
Clearly different patterns in US/Europe vs Africa, Asia, MidEast, Australia, New Zealand, what not. It's as if tere are stereotypical personality disorders for these different regions.
We use the word empathy. Another useful word is blood. Or water.
ReplyDeleteWater is empathy, sure. Especially if you got a hole in your body that is burning really bad, you can sooth it with water, plenty of empathy right there!
DeleteGot that from “ Homosexual urgent need” just for you.
The problem is that some of these ASPD/homosexual/pathological liars have borderline BPDs too (!!!!), with some history of incest before age of 5, which probably causes their homosexuality today. I think their ego is totally blocking their mind, so I leave them alone!
ReplyDeleteThat may be overgeneralizing. Is that not a subset of a subset of a subset, of a subset?
DeleteI might have gone too far. I hate to accuse anyone. I really do hate that…I’ve got couple times insulted here for things others said. So, TMAC MSHAK don’t take it personal.
DeleteTake what personal?
DeleteYeah I think leave them alone. Who cares about liars. Just leave everyone alone.
DeleteI repeat NO HARM WAS INTENDED. Stop victimizing yourself! I mistook you with someone else. So, don’t cry, please.
Delete@anon 1:34, Still I’m leery of overgeneralizing my data! A soul worth a lot to me in spite of…
ReplyDeleteOvergeneralization is a very human thing to do, whether you are an empath or sociopath.
Deleteoh. blame is just a memory. its not something we do actively.
ReplyDeleteIf you have about as good a chance of getting your child to brush her teeth than, say, having her do your taxes, you’re not alone. Parents just like you the world over have nightly battles about teeth brushing that extend beyond the bathroom into other aspects of control.
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