Empathy: An Interface Construct Between Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Psychopathy
Alessandra Mingozzi, Gian Marco Marzocchi
The purpose of the following paper consists in showing the differences of empathy in two socio-cognitive disorders in which this deficit is preponderant and represents a peculiar characteristic. In addition to its basic mechanisms and the underlying biological substrates responsible for the empathic response, a first fundamental distinction for the subject is the one that emerges between cognitive empathy (inherent in the Theory of Mind) and emotional empathy (inherent in capacity). After having introduced the concept of empathy to a general level, the focus of the work narrows and is oriented towards two socio-cognitive disorders that both present, albeit in different ways, deficits at the empathic level. The Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the psychopathy described in their general characterizations are presented, so as to allow the reader to fully understand the implications in the subject matter. The investigation proceeds focusing specifically on the dysfunctions of empathy that are found in psychopathy and autism, considering three levels they impact on neurobiological aspects, cognitive-behavioral aspects and finally emotional-relational aspects.
Keywords
Empathy, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychopathy, Disruptive behavior disorders, Antisocial personality disorder.