This pattern of behavior is often associated with violent and criminally inclined people. Is it really so?
Many criminals present a profile of this nature, but there are also many psychopaths who manage to harmoniously reconcile their traits with the demands of daily life.
Throughout history there have been many authors who have been interested in a detailed analysis of the phenomenon; despite the fact that today it is still an elusive reality and very difficult to reduce to simple, objective and operational terms.
- We recommend you read: “The 7 differences between a sociopath and a psychopath”
In this article we will review the fundamental “symptoms” of psychopathy . However, it is important to consider the enormous diversity that it can adopt: from the monster that perpetrates unspeakable acts to the most restrained and thoughtful individual, or simply someone with a normal appearance whom we pass in the elevator.
Characteristics and personality traits of the psychopath
Next, we proceed to review the twelve traits of the psychopath , with a special emphasis on the correlates of personality that are characteristic of him.
For this purpose, we will take Cleckley’s criteria as a reference, which were developed in the first half of the 20th century based on the author’s extensive experience, and which continue to be valid today.
1. Absence of anxiety or neuroticism
One of the features classically described, in relation to the psychopath’s way of feeling, underlines his reduced level of anxiety ; which implies that he can remain undaunted in situations of extreme urgency or tension. This fact is associated with a certain difficulty in projecting their attention prospectively (towards the future), since this is one of the axes around which the anxious experience orbits (and which differentiates it from fear as a more basic emotion).
The low level of anxiety can be perceived by the environment as a kind of relational coldness, although it is also often raised as one of the attributes associated with their interpersonal attractiveness.
2. External charm and remarkable intelligence
People with psychopathy are capable of showing others a socially desirable image of themselves , since the preservation of their cognitive empathy allows them to infer the expectations placed on them and act accordingly. That is why they are sometimes branded as exemplary neighbors and without blemish, despite the fact that they actually harbor a particularly poor emotional life.
In the first descriptions that were made of the phenomenon, the possession of high intellectual aptitudes was accentuated. The truth is that this does not happen in all cases, since there is evidence of crimes perpetrated by such individuals in which recklessness was committed from which a low mental capacity was inferred. In absolute terms, the intellect of psychopaths is now considered to be about average for the general population.
3. Egocentrism and inability to love
The psychopath is an egocentric subject , to the point that his way of being and acting has been branded as narcissistic. In any case, these are people with a distorted image of themselves, which inflames their own value to the parallel detriment of others. They usually demand that they be treated with privileges (disproportionate respect, priority, etc.), despite the fact that it implies a sacrifice for those who live with them.
This position, absolutely centered on oneself, hinders the development of all the emotional competencies that are needed to sincerely love the other. No capacity for sacrifice or dedication is appreciated, only a selfish interest in obtaining some return from interpersonal relationships. That is why, finally, such ties are maintained by fear and/or threat (and not by the freedom that should be the basis of all affective ties).
4. Poor emotional reactions
Through objective recording procedures of physiological activity, it has been detected that psychopaths have little emotional reaction to visual stimuli associated with damage or pain , which often generate spontaneous fear in the general population. This pattern could be associated with alterations in the function of the amygdala or its interactions with the prefrontal cortex.
Delving deeper into feelings, psychopaths tend to describe a relatively persistent state of emptiness. They do not experience basic emotions with the expected intensity, and it is known that they also have great difficulty acting compassionately in the face of ups and downs that happen to others (deficit in emotional empathy). For the latter case, the possible contribution of mirror (or specular) neurons has been studied, a group of cells that activates affective patterns parallel to those of the person we are observing.
5. Impersonal and poorly integrated sex life
In psychopathy it is common for sexual contacts to be limited to their purely physical nuances, devaluing the affective correlates that are initially associated with it. Sentimental relationships can be blocked by the difficulty of advancing towards stages of greater commitment, so that sex becomes a pleasurable act without the ability to build an emotional bridge between those involved.
In cases in which psychopathy coexists with impulsivity, which happens very frequently, the person may end up engaging in very high-risk sexual activities (promiscuity, prostitution, etc.). These acts substantially increase the probability of contracting acute or chronic infections.
6. Absence of guilt and shame
People with psychopathy do not show others any signs of weakness, since they consider that it could be the incentive to become victims. Nor do they show remorse when they cause a grievance, which prevents them from learning altruistic behaviors (because these depend largely on the feelings that arise during this type of interaction).
The difficulty in experiencing the emotions of other individuals in one’s own skin translates into a limited capacity for shame. To understand it, it is essential to consider that shame derives from subjective inferences about what others might be thinking about our way of acting or being, triggering when we value that some negative judgment is being forged. Since in psychopathy it is very difficult to integrate, consider and value the affections of third parties; the shame would be felt.
7. Untrustworthy
Instability, sudden outbursts of anger, social narcissism and the inability to establish relationships based on reciprocity end up leading to distrust of the environment towards the psychopath. Added to this is the legal impact of possible antisocial acts; such as scams, robberies, thefts and fights. This situation segregates the network of those who present such traits, which is limited to individuals who show a similar pattern of thought and action.
These dynamics of isolation and ostracism increase the risk of new criminal acts being committed, by assuming the organization of a microcosm in which such activities are socially rewarded.
8. Lies
Lies are a common mechanism in the interaction dynamics of the psychopath . Its purpose is to exercise greater control over environmental conditions when they are not conducive to their interest, or to promote the forgiveness of others in the face of acts of harm that may have affected them. With the lie, the ability to infer that others have convictions different from one’s own becomes evident, which is why an adequate preservation of metacognitive functions of a higher order (such as mentalists) is deduced.
The use of lies is one of the elements that contribute in a more decisive way to the environment withdrawing trust from the psychopath. They can be appreciated in very different contexts and, sometimes (especially as a result of the aforementioned interpersonal appeal), they are totally convincing for the recipient.
9. Inability to follow a life plan
People with psychopathy have difficulty making plans for the future that go beyond the immediacy of the present moment. Their impulsiveness translates into the inability to delay rewards, with a notable tendency to prioritize immediate benefits over those that require the investment of some type of effort or that will be received in the medium or long term. As a direct consequence, they often fail in essential areas of their lives, such as academics and work .
10. Antisocial behavior
Antisocial behavior is understood as any act that is detrimental to third parties in any field: economic, social, physical, etc. As it is a disturbing phenomenon from a social point of view, the diagnostic criteria used for the picture phenomenologically closest to that of psychopathy have been built on it: antisocial personality disorder. Although they harbor some degree of obvious similarity, they cannot be considered equivalent.
A high percentage of people with psychopathy never commit any criminal act, becoming what is known as an integrated/adapted psychopath. In this case, however, there may be a preference for jobs in which a position of hierarchical superiority is held. These subjects are the ones with the greatest ability to control impulse and plan their future, so they are also the ones that best adapt to the environment.
11. Insufficient reasoning and difficulty learning from the past
Many studies on executive functions detect limitations in the reasoning of people with psychopathy, which depends on the activity of the prefrontal cortex . Likewise, great difficulty in learning from past events has been described, so the adverse consequences derived from their behaviors lack the capacity to dissuade them from continuing.
This phenomenon has often been linked to obstacles to the successful reinsertion of the most dangerous psychopaths , who revert to their criminal acts shortly after their release. This is both an ethical and legal issue, which stands as a challenge for society and science.
12. Irresponsibility
In psychopathy, little responsibility can be observed, which tends to converge with the need for stimulation, reinforcing participation in different types of potentially dangerous activities. The most common are drug use and gambling, being two habits that imply immediate reinforcements (intense sensations of pleasure mediated by the reward circuit and pecuniary gains).
These addictive behaviors are common in psychopaths, and often represent one of the points of contact with mental health professionals . It is important to bear in mind that psychopathy is experienced as ego-syntonic (it does not cause discomfort to those who suffer from it, but is experienced as normal and appropriate), so it is always detected through cross-cutting problems.
Bibliographic references
- Garrido, V. (1993). Psychopath: Psychological Profile and Reeducation of the Most Dangerous Offender. Tirant lo Blanch Books: Valencia.
- Martens, W. (2001). The Hidden Suffering of the Psychopath. Psychiatric Times, 19(1), 1-6.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
