It is thus possible that individuals high in psychopathy have reduced VM PFC functioning, and hence lack an affective connection to the consequences of their actions. Other studies have also documented similar OFC functioning deficits among psychopaths (Blair et al., 2006; Mitchell, Colledge, Leonard, & Blair, 2002). Integrative analyses of these data have suggested that the deficit underlying psychopathy involves the integrated functioning of the amygdala and the medial OFC (Blair, 2007; Mitchell et al., 2002). Perhaps psychopaths tend to act on their immediate affects and urges in ways not modulated by an emotional connection with the implications of their actions for themselves and others; indeed, this description is quite close to the original one provided by Cleckley (1976).
