Psychopaths

Characteristics of Psychopaths

Thompson, in The Psychopathic Delinquent and Criminal, viewed psychopathic persons as those who seek momentary gratification, lack discretion, and fail to profit from experience, which leads to repeated failures. Today, psychopathy is defined as a constellation of emotional, social, and behavioral characteristics, including egocentricity, impulsivity, irresponsibility, shallow emotions, lack of empathy, lack of guilt, lack of remorse, pathological lying, and manipulativeness, coupled with the violation of social norms and expectations. Cleckley, in The Mask of Sanity, outlined 16 characteristics of psychopaths:

• 1.
  Intelligent
• 2.
  Rational
• 3.
  Calm
• 4.
  Unreliable
• 5.
  Insincere
• 6.
  Without shame or remorse
• 7.
  Having poor judgment
• 8.
  Without capacity for love
• 9.
  Unemotional
• 10.
  Poor insight
• 11.
  Indifferent to the trust or kindness of others
• 12.
  Overreactive to alcohol
• 13.
  Suicidal
• 14.
  Impersonal sex life
• 15.
  Lacking long-term goals
• 16.
  Inadequately motivated antisocial behavior

The term psychopath operates as a label to describe a potpourri of individuals determined by societal and medical standards to possess antisocial qualities or [Page 377]characteristics. Often used interchangeably with the label of sociopath, the psychopath often has turned out to be exactly what we want him or her to be. Psychopaths are generally viewed as aggressive, insensitive, charismatic, irresponsible, intelligent, dangerous, hedonistic, narcissistic, and antisocial. These are persons who can masterfully explain another person's problems and what must be done to overcome them but who appear to have little or no insight into their own lives or how to correct their own problems. Psychopaths who can articulate solutions for their own personal problems usually fail to follow them through. They are perceived as exceptional manipulators, capable of feigning emotions in order to carry out their personal agendas. Without remorse for the plight of their victims, they are adept at rationalization, projection, and other psychological defense mechanisms.

The veneer of stability, friendliness, and normality belies a deeply disturbed personality. Outwardly, there appears to be nothing abnormal about their personalities, even their behavior. Of course, under closer scrutiny, maladaptive behaviors are manifested. They are careful to maintain social distance and share intimacy only with those they can psychologically control. They are noted for their inability to maintain long-term commitments to people or programs. They are predators in need of others to control. Many psychopaths are not criminals and are found at all socioeconomic levels.

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