Yes, psychopaths are often described as having selective empathy, or what is sometimes called "cold" or "instrumental" empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it plays a vital role in building social connections and fostering compassion. However, psychopaths typically exhibit deficits in empathizing with others, particularly when it comes to emotional or affective empathy.
Affective empathy is the ability to experience an emotional response that corresponds to the emotions of others. Psychopaths often struggle with this aspect of empathy. They may have difficulty understanding or recognizing the emotions of others, and they may not experience emotional reactions that mirror the feelings of those around them.
On the other hand, psychopaths can display what is known as cognitive empathy, also referred to as "perspective-taking" empathy. This form of empathy involves understanding the thoughts, intentions, and mental states of others. Psychopaths may possess a certain level of cognitive empathy that allows them to recognize and predict the emotions and behaviors of others, even if they don't emotionally resonate with those feelings.
This combination of diminished affective empathy and intact cognitive empathy can make psychopaths seem charming, manipulative, and skilled at understanding others' vulnerabilities. They may use this cognitive empathy strategically to exploit and manipulate others for personal gain, while lacking the emotional connection that would naturally inhibit harmful behavior.
It's essential to remember that empathy and psychopathy exist on a spectrum, and individuals with psychopathic traits may differ in the extent to which they demonstrate selective empathy. Additionally, there are other factors and coexisting conditions that can influence an individual's empathy levels and overall behavior.