When you hear the word psychopath, chances are you’re thinking about
knife-wielding men with a crazed look in their eyes at all times. This
is the usual portrayal we’re shown by popular culture, so it makes sense
that this is people’s definition of the word. But it’s not that simple.
In fact, you could be in the presence of a psychopath and not even know
it.
What Is A Psychopath
Let’s clear the air first: what is a psychopath? Is it different from a sociopath?
Here’s a short history lesson. In the early 1800s, doctors working
with mental patients noticed that, while they appeared normal on the
outside, they had what they called a ‘mental depravity’. These doctors
noticed that they didn’t seem to possess any sense of ethics or of the
rights of other people. In the 1900s, the term ‘psychopath’ was applied
to these patients. It was changed to ‘sociopath’ to reflect the damage
that they do to society [1].
Researchers have gone back to using the term psychopath to refer to a more serious disorder, linked to
genetics,
creating more dangerous individuals, while continuing to use
‘sociopath’ to refer to less dangerous people who are more a product of
their environment, including their upbringing [1].
One more key difference between psychopaths and sociopaths is whether
they have a conscience. That little voice in their head that tells them
when they’re doing something wrong. Psychopaths don’t have that, they
use and manipulate people to their will and feel nothing. A sociopath
does typically have a conscience, but it’s weak and doesn’t stop them
from doing what they want. What’s important to remember is that both
lack empathy [2].
How To Spot A Psychopath
Like we said before, when people think psychopaths, they think
axe-wielding murderers. In reality, psychopaths appear to look just like
us. While the number of psychopaths in prison is overrepresented (only
about 25% of inmates make the requirements to be labeled a psychopath),
research suggests that a sizeable number of psychopaths walk around us
every day [3].
This doesn’t mean that you need to lock yourself up at home for fear
of being attacked; one of the biggest myths about psychopaths are that
they are all violent [3].
If you’re still a little uneasy, here are 8 ways to tell if someone may be a psychopath [4]:
1. They feel no guilt
Psychopaths feel no guilt about their actions. They will do what they please to get what they want, and never feel bad about it.
2. They don’t feel empathy.
A psychopath isn’t able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and
understand their emotions. What they are capable of doing however, is
mimic empathy or sympathy, which they learned from observing others.
3. They enjoy making people feel guilty.
Psychopaths love to play with people’s emotions. It’s how they can
manipulate people into doing what they want. They pick up on small
details about you to gain your trust, and use that information to guilt
trip you and cash in on favors.
4. They only value themselves.
The whole world could be going up in flames, but as long as they’re ok, they couldn’t care less.
5. They think they’re better than everyone else.
Psychopaths view themselves as superior to everyone around them,
that’s how they get away without feeling any guilt. They feel almost
omnipotent, above everything and everyone.
6. They’re liars.
They’ll lie about everything, even if it has no benefit to them. It
gives them a false sense of power that they can’t get enough of.
7. They are generally well-liked.
While it sounds terrible, the sad fact is that psychopaths are able
to get along with almost anyone. They are friendly and approachable,
nothing like you might see in movies or tv.
8. They don’t take responsibility for their actions.
This is how they can be manipulative and feel no guilt. They feel no responsibility for what they do. Ever.
Now, while you think you might think you know someone who matches
this criteria, there is actually a much more scientific checklist known
as the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R), developed by Robert Hare
and his colleagues [1]. This is really the only way to truly determine
if someone is a psychopath, and chances are if you think you know
someone like this, they’re really just a big jerk.
Mark Balantzyan
Software Engineer at keshetresearch.com (University of British Columbia)
Andrew McHenry