Antisocial Personality Disorder 11 to the sociopath’s target. Friends, siblings, parents, and other relations of the targets can become accomplices to the sociopath, assisting in the damage done to the target person. Whatever the reasons for the apath’s involvement might be, his or her conscience seems to go to sleep during the course of interacting with the sociopath, like some people blindly follow a leader whose only motivation is one of self-interest. This type of behavior was demonstrated in experiments in the early 1960s at Yale University by professor Stanley Milgram. In the study subjects became confederates of the experimenter in engaging in seemingly harmful behav- iors to others in order to please their perceived superiors (McGregor & McGregor, 2014). “Empaths” are persons frequently targeted by individuals with ASPD. While most humans are able to empathize, some have a greater abil- ity than others. Certain regions of their brains, the anterior cingulated cortex and anterior insula, light up in bright orange color on an fMRI scan when they witness another human being in pain (Gibson, 2006). Empaths are highly perceptive and insightful people, belonging to the estimated 40 percent of human beings who are able to detect when something is not right. They are often mediators and peacemakers. As they are sensitive to others’ emotional distress, they often have diffi- culty comprehending that some people may lack compassion for others (McGregor & McGregor, 2014). This mental-emotional combination turns empaths into perfect targets for sociopaths, although the empath’s ability to sense that something is wrong might pose a threat to the socio- path. However, this possible threat may be considered by the sociopath as an interesting challenge in an otherwise boring situation. Whether through a triadic or any other type of interaction, antisocial individuals, with their calculated attention and affection, can initially overwhelm anybody, and their first step in any seduction is to make themselves appealing to their targets (Anderson, 2012). Up Close At the Starbucks café, Sandra wondered if the stranger who had con- tacted her through the internet dating service would recognize her. No pictures had been exchanged. Then she heard a voice saying, “You must be Sandra you are just like in my dream!” The voice belonged to a good- looking man in his 30s who entered the restaurant, heading straight for Sandra’s table. The certainty in his voice bestowed an aura of destiny to the situation. Little did Sandra know that he had been watching outside for some time. Surprised, Sandra nodded her head. He sat down and leaned across the table, his eyes never leaving her face as he said, “I am Robert I can’t wait to know more about you.”
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