I was expecting some kind of analysis showing that otherwise normal people who adopted GOP politics simultaneously transitioned to showing sociopathic behavior, like in a measurable, scientific way. Instead the author gives a definition of sociopathy (“acting without feelings of guilt, remorse, or shame coupled with a tendency to reject the concept of responsibility”) and proceeds to label the policy positions and enacted laws of the GOP as sociopathic.

Applying neuroscience terms developed for individual people to actions of groups does not seem scientific at all. Isn’t that the field of sociology? I’m not really sure how such a labeling helps the conversation, especially from a neuroscientist. I don’t disagree with the positions, but this isn’t neuroscience, so I can’t really take this author as any sort of authority or expert on this; I feel like this article has the same level of expertise as a Lemmy comment (like mine).

I enjoyed this book on sociopathy in society https://www.amazon.com/Sociopath-Next-Door-Martha-Stout/dp/0767915828

I’m not 100% sold on the contagious idea but certainly every latent socio and narc has had a masterclass in recent years which would tend to embolden them.

It should be noted that the term I have been using – contagious sociopathy – is not mutually exclusive from what we have been observing with the perversion of Christian thought to suit sociopathic behaviors and the rise of fascism in the U.S. (Ruth Ben-Ghiat has written extensively on the latter). …

The bolded link goes to a Pew Research page and looks like it will take me more time than I’m willing to spend digesting it. It occurred to me that sociopath or perhaps psychopath is an accurate psychological description of the god described in the old testament but not necessarily the new. Can anyone explain in a few words what is meant by “perversion of Christian thought”?

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Sounds interesting - got a non-paywalled link handy?