But Dutton says that "when we talk about psychopaths, we're actually talking about people who have a distinct set of personality characteristics — ruthlessness, fearlessness, mental toughness, charm, persuasiveness — and they lack a conscience and empathy."
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by disordered emotions and antisocial behavior. It is not a mental illness in the strict sense of the term, since unlike psychotic individuals, psychopaths remain rational and aware of their actions [15, p. 22–23].
Although psychopaths lack an understanding of moral emotions, they seem to be, in all other respects, rational agents. Successful psychopaths are especially good at understanding reasons and use this understanding to manipulate others.
There is evidence to suggest that psychopaths can identify behavioral traits typical of psychopathy. But acknowledgment isn't tantamount to full-fledged self-awareness. Recognizing a behavioral propensity for manipulation, for instance, doesn't equate to an internalized understanding of oneself as a 'psychopath'.
While sociopaths may be more likely to experience some level of empathy, when they don't, they will often lack remorse as well. Psychopaths, on the other hand, consistently show a lack of empathy and remorse.
Do Psychopaths Have Conscience, Morality? Narcissists?
Do psychopaths have a high IQ?
Despite some early assumptions regarding a link between psychopathy and intact intellectual functioning (Cleckley, 1976), findings have been mixed, with some linking psychopathy to below average intelligence, some indicating average or higher intelligence, while others have found no relationship (Allen, Briskman, ...
In fact, you will almost never receive an apology from a psychopath, and if you do, it is only because they want something from you, or to save face in front of others. Lying seem to be a way of life – The psychopath will tell a lie even when the truth would have actually been a better story.
But not all psychopaths are violent. Some are even considered good human beings. Studies have found there are "successful psychopaths" who are more likely to be promoted to leadership positions and less likely to serve time behind bars.
Although both biological and environmental factors play a role in the development of psychopathy and sociopathy, it is generally agreed that psychopathy is chiefly a genetic or inherited condition, notably related to the underdevelopment of parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and impulse control.
Psychopaths are loners and have few, if any, childhood friends. This is because they burn many bridges. As soon as someone figures them out or confronts them, they move on. This is easy for them to do because they don't care how others feel.
Can psychopaths recognize other psychopaths? It truly depends if you are a low or high functioning psychopath at that time and if the other person you are meeting is low or high functioning as well. Upon first meeting most psychopaths recognize each other by instinct.
A psychopath is not a liar by default. Nor will he primarily lie. If he is far enough in the spectrum he just not care if he lies or tells the truth as he does not feel remorse. But if the truth is equally beneficial or better for him as a lie, he will tell the truth.
Stephen Morse along with several other philosophers and legal experts has argued that evidence from psychology and neuroscience shows that psychopaths have considerable deficits in moral cognition and empathy and that therefore blaming psychopaths is either futile or unjustified as psychopaths are not (fully) morally ...
Those with histrionic, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, schizotypal, passive-aggressive, self-defeating, antisocial, paranoid, borderline, avoidant, dependent, and sadistic personality traits also were attracted to psychopaths.
Like healthy people, many psychopaths love their parents, spouse, children, and pets in their own way, but they have difficulty in loving and trusting the rest of the world.
Yes, people with psychopathy can feel emotions such as joy and love. However, the way in which they experience these feelings may be different from how healthy individuals do.
Unlike sadists, psychopaths don't harm the harmless simply because they get pleasure from it (though they may). Psychopaths want things. If harming others helps them get what they want, so be it. They can act this way because they are less likely to feel pity or remorse or fear.
Although sociopathy and psychopathy cannot be diagnosed until someone is 18, one of the hallmarks of both conditions is that they usually begin in childhood or early adolescence. Usually, the symptoms appear before the age of 15, and sometimes they are present early in childhood.
TO THE BEST of our knowledge, there is no cure for psychopathy. No pill can instill empathy, no vaccine can prevent murder in cold blood, and no amount of talk therapy can change an uncaring mind. For all intents and purposes, psychopaths are lost to the normal social world.
Because the diagnosis does not affect IQ, someone who is classified as a "psychopath" or having "antisocial personality disorder" would have the same variation in IQ as anyone else.
But, like most people, when they are by themselves, they would probably be quiet. They definitely don't have to be. It really depends on the psychopath. A lot of them are actually extroverted and love to engage in conversation with other people, in the hopes of manipulating them.
psychopaths usually speak in a controlled manner. They don't emphasize emotional words as other people do. Sometimes they will adjust their pitch to try. and convince someone else that they are being genuine, but it's superficial.
There are some areas where psychopaths may experience normal emotions and grief is one such area. In response to death of a person with whom there is a bond, some psychopaths can experience sadness and this may even bring about feelings of guilt which are otherwise impossible to feel. Crying may be a part of this.
