Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 February 2010
Mealey distinguishes two types of sociopathy: (1) “primary,” or obligate, and (2) “secondary,” or facultative. Either sociopathy evolved twice, or one form is derived from the other, e.g., through: (1) genetic assimilation generating polymorphism in the relative strength of biases favoring the development of otherwise facultative strategies, or (2) independently heritable but strategically relevant characteristics biasing the optimal selection of facultative strategies.