Adolescents who grow up in negative social environments – characterized by hostility, neglect, and competition – may develop psychopathic traits as a form of adaptation to obtain socially valued outcomes, such as popularity and dating success, according to new research published in Development and Psychopathology. This suggests that the behaviors often associated with psychopathy, such as manipulation and a lack of empathy, might in some contexts serve as a strategy for adolescents to navigate and succeed in challenging social landscapes. Psychopathic personality traits are characterized by a …
