What Is a Psychopath?
A psychopath or sociopath, somewhat comparable to the DSM definition of one with Anti-social Personality Disorder, is one who is neurologically deficient or incapable of emotional attachment to any living, feeling being, including people. Thus, s/he is devoid of conscience, empathy, compassion, or remorse. Therefore, s/he does not possess the psychological inhibitions that restrain the general population from committing certain acts, however heinous, against others.
Furthermore, because such people are empty of emotional attachment and its inherent pleasures & sorrows, they seek solely to benefit themselves at anyone’s expense, and suffer excruciating boredom that drives them at times to create chaos & crises merely with the motive of alleviating their sheer boredom.
Mounting evidence suggests that psychopathy is a physiological abnormality passed genetically to subsequent generations, although some science points to the possibility that specific injury to the brain may also cause it. Not everyone carrying the genetic make-up will become a psychopath, however, uncovering the history of a bona fide psychopath will undoubtedly reveal more in his/her ancestral background. Confusing matters are people who may have been raised with psychopathic tendencies and/or who have suffered severe trauma or continue to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who may develop personality traits similar to a psychopath, but who possess the redemptive factors necessary to learn to emotionally attach and feel as the significant majority of humans feel. Entire societies can further muddle the definition if they are predicated on one of its most fundamental principles, to gain for oneself at any cost, even that of relationships and/or the well-being of the whole society.
Earlier last century, Dr. Hervey Checkley compiled a checklist for determining whether or not one is or is not a psychopath. Later, Dr. Robert Hare revised and added to what is now termed the PCL-R, considered to be the most accurate measure to date in determining the diagnosis. Below please find a combination thereof, and visit Resources for more. Many individuals may exhibit some of these traits, whereas many psychopaths do not exhibit all of them, although some do. Trained clinicians scale psychopathic traits using the checklist to conclude a score. Unlike most diagnoses which rely entirely or almost entirely on self-reporting, by its very nature diagnosis of psychopathy requires evidence and reporting from outside the individual. Bear in mind, even experienced and trained clinicians can be fooled by a psychopath. While it would be reckless for laypeople to use this checklist to unprofessionally diagnose others as psychopathic, here it serves solely to increase awareness of this dangerous abnormality and those among us who have it.
Compilation of Psychopathy Checklists
Glib and considerable superficial charm. Tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example. Absence of anxiety or other "neurotic" symptoms, considerable poise, calmness, and verbal facility. More often than not, the typical psychopath will seem particularly agreeable and make a distinctly positive impression when he is first encountered. Alert and friendly in his attitude, he is easy to talk with and seems to have a good many genuine interests. S/he would seldom be confused with the professional backslapper or someone who is trying to ingratiate him or herself for a concealed purpose. Signs of affectation or excessive affability are not characteristic. S/he looks like the real thing. Unreliability, disregard for obligations, no sense of responsibility in matters of little and great import. Irresponsibility -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements. Shallow effect -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness. Poor judgment and failure to learn from experience. Grandiose self-worth, a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings. Pathological egocentricity. Total self-centeredness, incapacity for real love and attachment. General poverty of deep and lasting emotions. It must be granted of course that the psychopath has some affect. Affect is, perhaps, a component in the sum of life reactions even in the unicellular protoplasmic entity. Certainly in all mammals it is obvious. The relatively petty states of pleasure, vexation, and animosity experienced by the psychopath have been mentioned. The opinion here maintained is that s/he fails to know all those more serious and deeply moving affective states which make up the tragedy and triumph of ordinary life, of life at the level of important human experience Fantastic and objectionable behavior, after drinking and sometimes even when not drinking--vulgarity, rudeness, quick mood shifts, pranks. Callousness and lack of empathy -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless. Ingratitude for any special considerations, kindness, and trust. An impersonal, trivial, and poorly integrated sex life. Promiscuous sexual behavior -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests. Lack of any true insight, inability to see oneself as others do. Many short-term marital relationships -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital. Impulsivity -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless. No history of genuine suicide attempts. | Parasitic lifestyle -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities. Failure to have a life plan and to live in any ordered way, unless it be one promoting self-defeat. Lack of realistic, long-term goals -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life. Absence of delusions and other signs of irrational thinking. Need for stimulation or proneness to boredom -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine. Conning and manipulative -- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from pathological lying in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims. Lack of remorse or guilt -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims. Antisocial behavior which is inadequately motivated and poorly planned, seeming to stem from an inexplicable impulsiveness. Average or above average intelligence. Very often indications of good sense and sound reasoning will emerge, and one is likely to feel soon after meeting him that this normal and pleasant person is also one with -high abilities. Psychometric tests also very frequently show him of superior intelligence. Inadequately motivated antisocial behavior. Untruthfulness and insincerity. Pathological lying -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest. Poor behavioral controls -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily. Early behavioral problems -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial. Juvenile delinquency -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness. Revocation of conditional release -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear. Criminal versatility -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes. |
