SOCIOBIOLOGY, SOCIOPATHY, AND SOCIAL-POLICY

Evolutionary analysis suggests that policies based on deterrence may c ope effectively with primary sociopathy if the threat of punishment fi ts the crime in the cost/benefit calculus of the sociopath, not that o f the public. On the other hand, policies designed to offset serious d isadvantage in social competition may help inhibit the development of secondary sociopathy, rather than deter its expression.