What happens in the mind of a psychopath?

“The world of the psychopath is special;

“Everything goes” reigns in him if it works for him.

(Vicente Garrido)

The word “psychopath” It directly brings our minds face to face with various icons of modern culture.

Not all of them would fit the pathology at hand, but in general, cinema, television and literature are filled with fictional and real characters who They provoke fascination, fear, curiosity and rejection at the same time.

Why are we so attracted to them? What is there in their minds and in their way of acting that traps us in search of possible explanations and justifications for them?

Psychopathy is included in the group of personality disorders. That is to say, a way to be which is characterized by domination through threat, not feeling guilt or remorse for what is done and manipulation to achieve one’s own interests. All this under a façade of absolute normality.

What is psychopathy?

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) calls psychopathy Dissocial Personality Disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies it as Antisocial Personality Disorder.

To be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, you must be at least 18 years old, have a conduct disorder before the age of 15, and have a pattern of disregard for the rights of others. Additionally, three or more of the following factors must also be present:

Failure to adapt to social norms regarding legal behavior.Carrying out acts that are grounds for arrest.Dishonesty: lying repeatedly, using aliases, scamming…Impulsivity or inability to plan for the future. Irritability and aggressiveness. Lack of concern for your safety and that of others. Persistent irresponsibility. Lack of remorse.

Sebastian Lopez (2013) highlights that the Diagnosis of Antisocial Disorder focuses on the criminal behavioral aspects in his desire to be as objective as possible. The author states that “The elimination of internal traits such as: lack of remorse, emotions of guilt and empathy, makes it impossible for health experts to differentiate between non-psychopathic and psychopathic people”.

Are they mentally ill?

Something that frequently happens is confusing psychopath with psychotic. The main difference is that the first does not present hallucinations or other forms of irrational thinking and does not lose contact with reality at any time.

In reality, the presence in society of these people is very low in statistical terms, although their crime is disproportionate when they commit it. Howeverdiagnosis should not be confused with crime. The majority are integrated into society.

This figure has been studied in the business world, in cases of gender violence, and in great statesmen (Stalin, Milosevic, Mugabe, Hussein, etc.). The industrial psychologist Babiak has carried out studies where a characteristic sequence of action has even been defined.

What do they feel? What do they think?

Cleckley established 16 criteria. In his list we find poverty of basic affective reactions, inability to love, absence of nervousness, charming personality, lack of feelings of guilt and shame, use of lies and an impersonal sexual life among others.

Actually, There are two types: primary and secondary.

The first are insensitive, without remorse, Manipulative, they have deceptive relationships with others and can demonstrate arrogance. If they use violence, it is generally as an instrument to obtain benefit.

The secondary ones have difficulty tolerating boredom, They act without thinking about the consequences, they are impulsive and violent.

Studies regarding the empathic capacity of psychopaths have shown that they have no problem empathizing with the happiness of others, but they do have a problem empathizing with fear. They have difficulty feeling sorry for others. There is no emotional reaction.

Are there people who are bad by nature?

There are several theories, and some suggest that the main cause has a biological origin. Low Fear is one of them.

Researchers took as reference the experience of fear in situations of harm/punishment and the response with fear to signs of harm/punishment. It was concluded that Primary psychopaths are reckless.

If you do not experience the fear of harm or punishment from a young age, you do not have the emotional experience and therefore, it is difficult to respond with fear to signs of threat or danger in the future. This is very important to form consciousness, which is acquired with the experience of fear and socialization throughout our development.

It is known that these types of people respond poorly to images of fear, pain and suffering in the brain (low activation of the amygdala, which is responsible for processing and storing emotional reactions).

In fact, studies by Yang, Raine, D. Phil and collaborators pointed out that they have this significantly smaller brain structure.

Thereforepsychopaths have a weak conscience supported by biological differences with the rest of the population.

The main investigations resolved that They have great difficulty acquiring new fears associated with social norms, that have a under fear of punishment and its consequences, and who have greater difficulty in acquiring the harm/punishment avoidance component so important in our consciousness.

Therefore, given the characteristics, research and biology… the final question is: do they distinguish between good and evil? And the answer is yes. They know how to calibrate perfectly between good and evil, and if they cause harm, they know what they are doing.

Bad people do exist, scientifically speaking, and research continues on the matter, but fortunately, the vast majority are part of the other side.