Waylon Smithers Case

In the case study, Waylon Smithers is becoming increasing concerned with the behaviours of his employer Mr Burns. Smithers explains how Mr Burns is becoming “too difficult for him to handle” and suspects that Burns may suffer from a personality disorder. Burns’ is described as a “heartless, greedy and exceptionally ugly” who makes “Ebeneezer Scrooge seem downright lovely.” The case study explains how Burns was brought up by his Grandfather, “a twisted and heartless billionaire” and suggests that this may have been an influencing factor in his long term behaviour. Diagnosis - Link to case& further reading Evidence from the case study suggests that Waylon Smithers is correct in thinking that Mr Burns may have a personality disorder, more specifically; …show more content…

The MAOA gene works by encoding a protein (MAO-A) that breaks down monamine molecules – serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, regulating neurotransmitter signalling at monoaminergic synapses throughout the brain (as cited in Blum, Oscar-Berman, Demetrovics, Barh & Gold, 2014). Poor functioning of the MAOA gene causes a build-up of neurotransmitters in the brain resulting in changes in mood and behaviour. Research has shown that the MAOA gene has several varieties which are distinguished by their levels of activity; MAOA-L which is a low-activity variant producing less protein, and MAOA-H which is more active producing more protein (as cited in Viding & Frith, 2006). The MAOA-L variant of the gene, producing less protein, is associated with psychopathy. Evidence to support the association between the MAOA gene and aggression comes from Brunner (1995). Brunner (1995) investigated a group of closely related males in order to determine whether their anti-social behaviour could have a genetic basis. He found a mutation in the MAOA gene located on the X chromosome. This mutation was known as Brunner’s syndrome; causing impulsive problematic behaviours, sleep disturbances and mood …show more content…

It has been found that psychopaths have significantly reduced amygdala volume (Tiihonen et al, 2000), hindered performance in tasks sensitive to amygdala damage, and less activity in the regions of the brain which are modulated by amygdala during facial fear processing (Deeley et al, 2006). It has recently been put forward that an interaction between the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and amygdala dysfunction may be the cause of the social and emotional deficits in individuals with psychopathy. Craig et al (2009) found that psychopaths had low levels of connectivity in the uncinate fasciculus (UF), which connects the amygdala and OFC; particularly affecting the right hemisphere. These circuits in the brain influence decision making and social evaluation; Amygdala is sensitive to social cues and the prefrontal cortex determines our responses. In males with a low-activity MAOA gene, amygdala is unrestrained and therefore hyper reactive, which may then lead them towards hostile behaviours and actions, which may explain Mr Burns’ belligerent, cold attitude described by Smithers in the case.