
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Psychopaths and Superheroes
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Apr 27, 2020 In this discussion, Abigail Marsh, a Georgetown psychology professor and expert on altruism, reveals the inspiring world of super altruists—those who risk their own well-being to help others. She shares her personal story of being saved by a stranger, sparking her passion for exploring the brain's role in compassion. The conversation dives into how selfless actions can lead to greater happiness and how understanding altruism can transform our lives. Listeners are encouraged to embrace generosity for a more fulfilling existence.
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Psychopathy and Altruism
- Abigail Marsh, a psychology professor, studied psychopaths to understand altruism.
- By studying the lack of compassion, she hoped to understand its origins in others.
The Inmate's Blind Spot
- A psychopathic inmate, proficient in violence, failed to recognize facial expressions of fear.
- He recognized fear only as "what people look like right before you stab them."
The Anti-Psychopath
- Psychopathy is a spectrum, suggesting the existence of "anti-psychopaths."
- These individuals possess exceptional levels of compassion and altruism.






