KERA's Think Treating the earliest signs of psychopathy
Jul 30, 2025
Maia Szalavitz, an author and contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, dives into the complexities of diagnosing child psychopathy. She discusses the dangers of labeling children and reveals how early interventions can lead to significant behavioral improvements. Szalavitz highlights the interplay of genetics and trauma in development, critiques ineffective traditional punishments, and emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship in fostering empathy and steering at-risk youth away from destructive paths.
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Early Psychopathy Challenges
- Early traits of psychopathy in children pose a challenging intersection of medicine and morality.
- Labeling a child as inherently bad is harmful, but some behaviors can be treated to foster humanity.
Callous Traits Can Fade
- Most kids with conduct disorder do not exhibit callous unemotional traits.
- At least half of kids with these traits can outgrow them with the right environment.
Avoid Punishment, Provide Support
- Avoid punitive approaches like juvenile detention for troubled teens; it often worsens behavior.
- Instead, provide consistent parental consequences and supportive environments to help them improve.