In collaboration with Harvard University, New Mexico University, etc., Kokoro Research Center Kyoto University's "Psychopath" lie half-automatically without hesitation. For the first time in the world, we have demonstrated that there is hypoactivity in the anterior zonal gyrus of the brain, which is related to psychopathic conflict.

 According to Kyoto University, the research group is moving while conducting a psychological task (cointos task) to measure the rate of lying in 67 male prisoners in prisons in New Mexico, USA. Brain activity was measured using an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) device.

 As a result, it was found that the stronger the psychopathic tendency, the shorter the reaction time when lying, and the activity of the anterior cingulate gyrus related to the mental conflict decreased.The research group believes that prisoners with a strong psychopathic tendency are less able to lie or struggle to behave honestly and are lying without hesitation.

 Psychopaths are classified as antisocial personality disorder and are characterized by a lack of conscience, guilt, and empathy.For this reason, psychopaths have been said to lie calmly, but the psychological and neuroscientific mechanisms behind them have not been elucidated.

Paper information:[Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience] Reduced engagement of the anterior cingulate cortex in the dishonest decision-making of incarcerated psychopaths

University Journal Online Editorial Department

This is the online editorial department of the university journal.
Articles are written by editorial staff who have a high level of knowledge and interest in universities and education.