What if psychopaths aren’t real?

I recently joined the NPR and PBS radio show/podcast, 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙆𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝘽𝙤𝙮𝙙, to discuss why I believe psychopathy is not a scientifically meaningful construct/disorder and the wider implications for the legal system.

The conversation builds on arguments I have been developing over the past several years, and outlined in my book, 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱. Namely, that many of the core claims surrounding psychopathy (e.g., deep-seated emotional deficits, clear neurobiological markers, strong correlation with violence) are far less empirically established than commonly assumed.

We also had a chance to discuss how the label persists (particularly in legal and forensic settings) despite these concerns. Once a concept becomes institutionally embedded, it can take on a life of its own, shaping decisions about risk, treatment, and liberty, far beyond what the underlying evidence can justify.

Enjoy!

https://think.kera.org/2026/03/27/what-if-psychopaths-arent-real/