MAO-A. An abbreviation for an enzyme called monoamine oxidase A that helps break down communication molecules like serotonin and dopamine so they don't continuously build up inside neurons. Versions of the gene that don't produce as much MAO-A enzyme may contribute to antisocial behavior in people who have suffered child abuse.
met. Short for methionine—an amino acid that is crucial in making proteins. Genes are sometimes referred to as being a met version, because the protein made by that gene has methionine in it. Met/met means that the genes from both the mother and the father are each met versions.
midbrain. An ancient neural area that humans share with reptiles. The midbrain houses the reticular activating system, which is responsible for keeping you awake and focusing attention. Overwhelming damage to this area can result in coma or death.
mirror neurons. These neurons are triggered not only when humans perform an action but also when a person witnesses another person performing the same activity—no one knows the mechanism that causes this to happen. Mirror neurons are believed to be in the frontal and parietal lobes in humans. They are thought to be a key element of empathy.
narcissistic personality disorder. A disorder characterized by an individual's grandiosity and exhibitionism. People with this disorder lack empathy, are hypersensitive to criticism, and possess a constant need for approval and admiration. There appears to be a strong genetic component.
nerve. A bundle of neurons that serves as a path to send signals from one part of a body to another. You use nerves to send a signal from your brain to your fingers to tell them to wiggle.
neurasthenia. An old-fashioned term for a psychological malaise that manifests itself physically through psychosomatic symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, chronic pain, dizziness, anxiety attacks, depression, and bad temper.
neuron. An electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information.
neurotransmitter. A family of molecules that serve as messengers to help send signals from one area of the brain to the other. Serotonin and dopamine are common neurotransmitters.
nucleotide. Molecules that form DNA, and ultimately form genes. A single accidental change in a nucleotide—a genetic mutation—can cause problems, as if a cook used a teaspoon of salt instead of yeast in a recipe for bread.
nucleus accumbens. The nucleus accumbens is the common site of action for drugs such as cocaine that produce euphoria; in general, we feel pleasure when this area of the brain is stimulated. Recent research shows that even a simple gift to charity can stimulate this natural reward area.
object constancy. The ability we have to soothe ourselves by remembering the love that others have for us. Those with borderline personality disorder often have problems with object constancy—if a loved one is not around, for example, they may more easily fall in love with someone else.
orbitofrontal cortex. One of the three main areas of the prefrontal cortex—the orbitofrontal cortex rests right above the eyes. This area appears to have a key role in being able to experience feelings of compassion. Orbitofrontal dysfunction seems to release the normal brakes on aggressive and hostile impulses, can lead to cognitive-perceptual impairment, and may play a role in inflexible attitudes.
orbitomedial prefrontal cortex. One of the three main areas of the prefrontal cortex. The orbitomedial area is important in controlling impulses.
paranoia. An irrational distrust of others, often accompanied by delusions of persecution.
paranoid personality disorder. A personality disorder characterized by pervasive suspiciousness, distrust, and resentfulness of others. Those with this disorder can be vindictive, rigid, and good at avoiding blame.
PDQ-4+. The Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire is composed of a set of ninety-nine true-false questions that evaluate whether a person shows behavior consistent with any standard personality disorders.
PET. This acronym stands for positron emission tomography, an imaging technique that produces three-dimensional images of chemicals in various parts of the brain. Although a purist would object, these images can be thought of as equivalent to color x-rays of tissues.
phenotype. Phenotype generally refers to a trait you can see on the outside of a body, such as red hair. This contrasts with genotype, which is the genetic recipe deep inside the body's cells that provides the instructions to produce that red hair.
pleiotropy. The concept that one gene can affect many different areas of the body, from the Greek pleio, meaning “many,” and trop, meaning turning to a specific direction because of a stimulus.
polygeny. The concept that a single trait can be influenced by many genes. For example, even though Alzheimer's is associated with the APOE4 allele, other genes may ameliorate the errant allele's effect.
posterior superior temporal cortex. This neural area is related to perceiving others’ intentions and actions. Naturally altruistic people appear to have ramped up activity in this area.
prefrontal cortex. This area lies in the front area of the brain, above and behind the eyes. It allows for social control (helping prevent you from sticking your finger in a delectable pudding) and other types of executive functions, such as the ability to understand the consequences of certain actions. The prefrontal cortex is divided into three areas: lateral, orbitofrontal and orbitomedial prefrontal areas. Damage to any of these areas can cause antisocial behavior. There are many connections between this area and the recticular activating system.
projection. A characteristic where a person is unable to accept responsibility for something, and instead blames (“projects”) responsibility for the problem onto someone or something else.
psychopath. Psychologist Robert Hare has perhaps best described psychopaths as “predators who use charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence to control others and to satisfy their own selfish needs. Lacking in conscience and in feelings for others, they cold-bloodedly take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without the slightest sense of guilt or regret.” A synonym is sociopath, although this later word implies that the person gained his or her nefarious traits because of societal or familial mistreatment.
psychosis. Psychosis is characterized by paranoia and a disconnection with reality. It is considered to be a symptom of severe mental illness, but is not considered by mainstream psychiatry to be a diagnosis in itself. Psychosis is not exclusively linked to any particular psychological or physical state, but is often associated with schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, bipolar personality disorder, severe clinical depression, and drug addiction. Although psychopathy and psychosis are both often abbreviated as “psycho,” they are two very different terms. Psychosis seems to be affiliated with the neurotransmitter dopamine.
psychotic. Characterized by psychosis.
quantitative trait loci (QTL) model. This important model centers around the idea that groups of genes underlie personality traits. That is, no personality trait is determined by a single gene acting alone.
receptor. A receptor is a protein-based molecule on the surface of a cell, on which molecules such as serotonin can land; this in turn triggers a cascade of cellular activities. Some receptors serve as unwitting attachment points that viruses such as polio can lock onto and use to creep inside the cell.
reticular activating system. This system is responsible for keeping you awake and focusing attention—it is in the brainstem, a very old part of the brain in evolutionary terms. Overwhelming damage to this area can result in coma or death. See also attentional network and midbrain.
reticular formation. The pivotal area of the reticular activating system that is responsible for focusing attention, arousal, and vigilance. The poliovirus always invades this area in those who are paralyzed by polio. See also the attentional network.
sadism. An affliction that involves receiving pleasure from inflicting cruelty on others. Very little research has been done on this crucially important disorder, in part because psychologists realize t
hat such research might be used by lawyers to excuse the behavior of extremely dangerous individuals. There appears to be a genetic component to sadism.
schizoid personality disorder. A person with this personality disorder is indifferent to social relationships, attempts to avoid interpersonal interactions, lacks empathy, and has difficulty with emotional expression. There is disagreement about whether the disorder is related to schizophrenia.
schizophrenia. A severe mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, paranoia and other intellectual disturbances. It is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain. Certain alleles place a person at risk for schizophrenia.
schizotypal personality disorder. A personality disorder characterized by perceptual dysfunction, depersonalization, interpersonal aloofness, and suspiciousness. The individual shows “magical thinking” with a belief in special powers. It is thought by many to be a mild form of schizophrenia.
schizotypy. A condition where someone seems to have some of the traits of schizophrenia, such as a paranoid suspiciousness of others.
secondary psychopath. Psychopaths are generally known for their lack of remorse or anxiety. However, so-called secondary psychopaths do at least experience anxiety. These individuals show many of the characteristics of borderline personality disorder.
serotonin. An important molecule that serves as a messenger to help send signals from one area of the brain to the other. Serotonin plays a critical role in disorders such as depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar personality disorder, and anxiety; it is also thought to be involved in sexuality and appetite.
SERT. Short for “serotonin transporter.” SERT is a protein conveyer belt that helps scoop excess serotonin out of the cleft between neurons and carry it back into the trigger neuron.
short/short. Shortened versions of certain genes don't allow for production of as many serotonin transporter (SERT) molecules. Short/short means that a person inherited a double dose, from both the mother and father, of these short form genes. This in turn can lead to nasty traits like anxiety and impulsivity. See also long/long.
sociopath. See psychopath.
splitting. A coping process where a borderline swings between seeing people as either all good or all bad. On a larger scale, splitting behavior is shown when the borderline pits people against one another, making one group the “white hats” and the other the “black hats”—although who is considered as good or bad can shift from day to day, or even hour to hour. Also known as black-and-white thinking.
stable sinister system. A tightly interlocked, corrupt social group controlled by Machiavellians. Such systems may not be efficient or effective, but the Machiavellians work behind the scenes to eliminate competition with external groups and to keep naysayers in check through a mixture of intimidation and bribery.
subclinical. Showing some aspects of a personality disorder, but not to the extent that a trained clinician would feel comfortable making a diagnosis.
successfully sinister. A synonym for Machiavellian.
synapse. The gap between two neurons. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin help bridge the gap when signals are being sent from one part of the brain to another.
thalamus. An egg-shaped gray mass deep in the center of the brain that receives sensory inputs such as sight and sound and routes them on to both the limbic system (for emotional processing) and the prefrontal cortex (for rational processing).
theta rhythms. Brain structures that are working together have neurons that “blink” (fire) together—rather like harmonized fireflies. Out-of-synch brain waves may be related to mood disorders and diseases such as schizophrenia. The confusion and depression that results from gaslighting (denial of reality) may be due to disruption of theta rhythms.
transporter. A protein conveyer belt that helps scoop molecules into a cell.
val. Short for valine—an amino acid that is crucial in making proteins. Genes are sometimes referred to as being a val version, because the protein made by that gene has valine in it. Val/val means that the genes from both the mother and the father are each val versions.
ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex helps us link subconscious to conscious thought—it plays a role in emotional cognition, as opposed to the rational cognition affiliated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is also involved in the processing of risk and fear, and gives meaning to our perceptions. Damage to this area can result in antisocial behavior and cognitive-perceptual impairment.
white matter. The parts of neural tissue that are covered with a white insulating substance called myelin. This contrasts with gray matter, which is neural tissue that is not sheathed with myelin. Pathological liars have more white matter in their brain, while autistics, who have trouble lying, have more gray matter.
Williams syndrome. Perhaps the most endearing of all diseases. Those afflicted are very polite and sociable, show great empathy, and are completely unafraid of strangers. The syndrome is caused by the loss of a tiny snippet of roughly 21 genes on chromosome 7.
5-HT1B role in aggression, 71
5-HT2A role in self-mutilation, anorexia, and suicide, 71
5-HT3A influence on amygdala and reaction time, 71–72
abandonment, frantic attempts to avoid, as DSM-IV trait of borderline personality disorder, 135, 159–60
abstract reasoning
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and, 203
in psychopaths and dysfunction in right anterior superior temporal gyrus, 97–98
relation to love, empathy, guilt, and remorse, 100
Abu Ghraib, questionable nature of Philip Zimbardo's conclusions regarding, as described in The Lucifer Effect, 303–304n
abuse. See child abuse
academia
difficulty of eradicating older beliefs about nurture in, 38, 38n
ease with which Machiavellian students can manipulate altruistic—or narcissistic—professors, 338n
importance of remembering names, 312
and its sinister aspects compared with other groups, 30
monolithic nature of American public education system provides ready cover for Machiavellians, 336–37
neurologically speaking, teaching ethics really is just preaching to the choir, 322
students serve as indentured servants for Machiavellians, 320n
Texas Southern University as example of “stable sinister system,” 278–80
acting out, 37
actors and throwaway quip about mirror neurons, 104n
Adams, Abigail, on George Washington: if he wasn't the best intentioned man in the world he'd be very dangerous, 300
addictive behavior
alcoholism
of author's mother, uncles, grandfathers, 26, 122–28
borderline personality disorder and, 80, 140, 205
of Carolyn, 141–42, 324, 341–42
chromosome 2 region and genetic tendency toward, 160
MAO-A, “Cluster B” disorders and, 80
Milosevic, drinking and stress, 161
related to drug and sex addiction, 233
Russian propensity for, 177–78
serotonin transporters and, 73
stress, genetics, and, 66
drug addiction
borderline personality disorder and, 140, 205
COMT gene and, 79
MAO-A “Cluster B” disorders and, 80
Mao's, 217, 232–33, 245, 248
relation to alcoholism and sex addiction, 233
sexual addiction
general discussion of, 233–34
Mao's, 232–34
substance abuse
borderline personality disorder and, 140
DARPP-32 and, 820
MAO-A and, 82–83
produces prefrontal cortex dysfunction in antisocial personality disorder, 204–205
Adorno, Theodor W. (The Authoritarian Personality), 46
Adult Temperament Qu
estionnaire, 201
affective instability (moodiness). See also anger; irritability
borderline personality disorder
DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for, 158
in-depth discussion of how it feels, 230
limbic system dysfunction, 193–95
mentioned as trait in, 135, 137, 140
overview related to neuroscience results, 205–206, 232
“poorly regulated emotions” as dimensional trait of, 164
Posner's studies related to affectivity and executive control, 200–202
as shared trait with bipolar personality disorder, 142n
coexisting borderline-schizotypal types show gray matter reduction in anterior and posterior cingulates, 227
heritability of, 85
in people
Callas, Maria, 300
Fastow, Andrew, Enron CFO, 295–98
Hitler, Adolf, 299–300, 305
Lauren, Ralph, 300
Mao. See under Mao, Chairman, personality traits and disorders
Milosevic. See under Milosevic, Slobodan, borderline-like and psychopathic traits
Nixon, Richard, 300
Princess Diana, 277
Shockley, William, 290
Skilling, Jeffrey, Enron CEO, 295–96
possibility of intervention to help those with, 329
prefrontal cortex dysfunction and, 180
provides for successful manipulation and control, 251–52, 297–98
serotonin transporters and, 73
“splitting” and, 143–44
theta rhythms and, 148
aggressiveness. See also affective instability; anger
5-HT1B role in controlling offensive, 71
antisocial personality disorder and, 50
MAO-A and, 80–81
orbitofrontal cortex dysfunction releases brakes on, 94
psychopaths’ difference in corpus callosum as source of, 92
psychopaths’ unresponsive amygdala produces, 93, 97n
Wrangham's theory that humans are “taming” themselves, 264–65
Evil Genes Page 42
