Psychopathy: characteristics and curiosities

Not all psychopaths are criminals or in prison. Nor are they hooded killers or sinister-looking individuals, although cinema and literature have publicized that portrayal. According to Robert Hare, doctor of psychology and expert in psychopathy, most of them are among us, in politics or in business. Incredible true?

Psychopaths are not disoriented nor do they have delusions or hallucinations; They also do not experience a great state of discomfort. In fact, They are quite rational people, who are aware of what they do and why.. That is, their behaviors are the fruits of free choices. Now, what is behind that charismatic and attractive facade that usually characterizes them? What are its action mechanisms? Is the functioning of your mind different from that of an empathic person? Let’s dig deeper.

Historical view

The term psychopathy literally means ‘mental illness’. (of psyche, ‘mind’ and of pathos, ‘disease’). However, the media often misuses it, as it is often used as a synonym for crazy. The point is that psychopathy should not be understood like other mental illnesses; since, as we said previously, psychopaths are rational, they choose how to behave and do not experience discomfort from their condition.

At the beginning of the 20th century, French psychiatrist Philippe Pinel was one of the first authors to write about psychopaths.. He used the term mental illness without delusions to describe those individuals with behaviors characterized by marked relentlessness and a lack of restraint. Furthermore, he considered that they were morally neutral, a conception with which not all authors agree, since for some psychopaths are morally ill.

In 1941, the American psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley made the first detailed description of psychopathy in his work The Mask os Sanity. This book became a reference among researchers of the time.

Later, numerous psychiatrists and research professionals have dedicated themselves to the study of psychopathy, but if we must highlight any of them for their advances, data and results, it is Robert Hare. This psychiatrist has dedicated more than three decades to psychopathy, generating the scales most used to assess this dimension: the PCL and the PCLR.

However, Kent Kiehl, professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, and Kevin Dutton, psychologist at the University of Oxford, are also well-known authors in the study of psychopathy.

As a curiosity, there is an extract from An interview Dutton conducted with a psychopath in prison that shows his ability to question him and create confusion. At one point, the psychopath implies that if a girl refused to have sex with him, she would be able to get it some other way. Dutton begins to pack up to leave and expresses that with the interview he has learned that the two of them are wired differently and for that reason, the psychopath is in jail and he is out. And the interviewee responded:

-“Don’t let your brain fool you, Kev, with all those tests that don’t let you see reality. There is only one difference between you and me: I want it and I’m going for it, you want it and you’re not going for it”.

-“You’re scared Kev, you’re scared. You are afraid of everything, I see it in your eyes. Fear of the consequences. Afraid of being caught. Afraid of what they will think. Afraid of what they will do to you when they come knocking on your door. You are afraid of me”.

-“Look to you. You’re right, you’re outside and I’m in here. But… Who’s free, Kev? Really free, I mean. You or I? Think about it tonight. Where are the real bars Kev? Out there? (points to the window). Or in here? (and touches his temple). Without a doubt, the conversation surprises and gives food for thought.

Main characteristics of psychopaths

There are a series of traits and characteristics common to most psychopaths. However, it is also true that many people may present some of them, but that does not mean that they are psychopaths. For this reason, let us remember that psychopathy is a syndrome; That is, a set of related symptoms, which can only be diagnosed by a specialized professional.

Next, we will briefly describe the most representative features, according to Robert Hare:

Simple and superficial mind. Although they often seem witty and articulate, they often tell unlikely stories. The point is that they are able to give them realism thanks to the great interpretation they do.Egocentric and presumptuous personality. Psychopaths have a narcissistic view of life. They believe they are superior beings, who should be allowed to live according to their rules. In fact, they are not usually ashamed of their personal, financial or legal problems, they see them as temporary blips. They also think that their abilities will allow them to achieve any goal they set for themselves.Lack of remorse or guilt. These types of people show great disregard for the consequences of their actions on others, even if they are devastating. That is, they do not regret the pain or destruction they cause and openly admit that they have no feelings of guilt. However, they may, on occasion, speak of some remorse, even if they later contradict themselves with their subsequent actions or statements.

The lack of remorse in psychopaths is usually associated with their great ability to rationalize and thus evade responsibility for their actions.

Lack of empathy. They are incapable of putting themselves in the shoes of others, except on an intellectual level. They have no emotions and see others as objects that can give them gratification. That is, they use people instrumentally. Their lack of empathy is in general, both towards acquaintances and strangers: if they maintain ties with their relatives it is because they see them as possessions.Manipulation and lying skills. They are your natural talents. Even when they are discovered, they have the ability to change history or rearrange the facts without showing shame or perplexity, but rather indifference. Furthermore, they seem to be proud of their great ability to lie.Carrier of superficial emotions. Psychopaths usually manifest a certain emotional poverty that limits the depth of their feelings. They are cold, although, at times, they can show sincere, but very subdued, emotions. Of course, the language they use is not devoid of emotional content, although it is very difficult for them to explain the different emotional states. For example, they equate love with sexual desire and excitement, sadness with frustration, or anger with irritability.

Lifestyle

Psychopaths are characterized by leading a chronically unstable lifestyle., without direction and in which the violation of social norms is a common factor. “I did it because I felt like it” is usually one of his most frequent responses to any questioning of his actions.

Often, They are impulsive to satisfy their main motivation, such as obtaining pleasure or the immediate relief of any need.. According to psychologists Willian and Joan McCord, they are like children focused on their needs and demanding that they be satisfied immediately.

Another characteristic feature is that Their level of control usually drops when they feel that someone is attacking their self. or compromises your interests. When this happens, They are very reactive. Now, even though, at times, this control diminishes, they rarely forget the purpose of what they do, maintaining coldness in their behavior.

The need for excitement is another strong point in their lifestyle. They may want to live on a tightrope or on the edge because that is where they find the action, the intensity or that rush that they sometimes need. In fact, they tend to indulge in situations of emotional debauchery and are quite intolerant of routines.

Other interesting facts about psychopathy

The psychopaths They know the meaning of words, but they make mistakes in understanding their emotional value. That is, they lack the emotional dimension of language.

They make up for this lack by using phrases that they have seen others use in similar situations. Sentences that have been successful for those who used them and that may be totally disconnected from their emotional state. They also usually going around the bush in your explanations, failing to connect sentences coherently and, thanks to a skill honed by practice, they are able to dodge questions without giving this feeling.

Their speech is fragmented – they show inconsistencies and contradictions. For example, a psychopath in an interview stated that he had never been violent, but at another time he confessed that he had to kill someone. As a curiosity, according to the latest research suggests that Psychopaths move their hands more, especially when talking about emotional aspects.

On the other hand, they work with a very intellectual definition of consciousness. They consider that it is the product of the rules that others invent and that, like guilt, it serves as a mechanism of social control. It has very little value to them, like love and compassion.

As we see, The spectrum of psychopathy is mysterious… as well as interesting. That is why research on the subject is so important to continue advancing our knowledge of the psychopathic personality.