Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Table of Contents - 1997 - Volume 20, Issue 03  


Continuing Commentary
Linda Mealey (1995). The sociobiology of sociopathy: An integrated evolutionary model. BBS 18:523–599.

Simulation and the psychology of sociopathy

Joseph L. Hernandez Cruz a1c1
a1 Department of Philosophy and Program in Cognitive Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 jcruz@u.arizona.edu www.u.arizona.edu/~cruz

Abstract

Mealey's (1995a) psychological explanation of the sociopath's antisocial activity appeals to an incomplete or nonstandard theory of mind. This is not the only possible mechanism of mental state attribution. The simulation theory of mental state ascription offers a better hope of explaining the diverse elements of sociopathy reported by Mealey.


Correspondence:
c1 J.L.H. Cruz is currently at Hampshire College, Cognitive Science Department, Amherst, MA 01002 jlcccs@hamp.hampshire.edu

--