Final answer:
Psychopaths may experience emotions, but often with less intensity or depth than non-psychopaths due to differences in physiological and neural responses. They display reduced electrodermal activity and fear arousal, which suggests their emotional processing is altered. However, cultural factors and neocortical control still allow for some degree of emotional expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether psychopaths experience emotions like normal people is a complex question that intersects psychology and neuroscience. Studies, such as one by Fung et al. (2005), have shown that psychopathy-prone individuals display reduced electrodermal activity, which is often associated with emotional arousal. Hare (1965) highlighted a reduced fear arousal in psychopaths, suggesting differences in emotional processing. The psychological model proposed by Eysenck relates to levels of psychoticism and superego control, which impacts behavior and emotional responses. While psychopaths may not experience emotions with the same depth or complexity as those without psychopathy, the James-Lange theory and subsequent research indicate that emotions can still occur, albeit potentially with less intensity, even when physiological responses are diminished, as reported by Chwalisz et al. (1988). Emotions in psychopaths are likely experienced and expressed differently, influenced by neural pathways that prioritize emotive centers in the brain stem. Crucially, cultural display rules and extended neocortical capacity provide some level of control over emotional responses, allowing even psychopaths some discretion in how their emotions are communicated through facial expressions or tone, though their capacity for emotional expression might appear impaired in comparison to non-psychopaths.