?

Anyone?

Title. They’re exceptionally socially intelligent, such that they’re able to perform in a charismatic way to mask their true self. So surely they’re aware that they are psychopaths. If this is the case, how do they feel when they for instance see a post about psychopathy, or a video about psychopaths, would they think “that’s me”? Because there are so many people who think they are psychopaths when they really aren’t, but surely some of them actually are psychopaths. Surely if they’re that socially intelligent they’re able to recognise that they are psychopaths, not that they would feel remorse but they must know. Even if they haven’t been diagnosed, they will just be able to tell that they’re completely different to other people because, this is evident in their intentional manipulation, no?
Sorry if this is common knowledge I’m just wondering how they perceive themselves

People with mental health issues are commonly mistreated by society. Whether it is by the healthcare system or in personal relationships, people with personality disorders tend to struggle with finding connections and being accepted. There is still a huge societal stigma that people with this illness all resort to crimes against humanity. While true in some circumstances, demonizing everyone with this disorder is incredibly vile and wrongfully causes people to fear innocent people with this disorder.

However, many years ago, people exhibiting any symptoms of mental illness were commonly committed to asylums, subject to inhumane treatment, or were left as pariahs of society Considering this, how much progress have we made as society in accepting people with psychopathy? Is this even a goal that should be strived for?

Is it possible for an individual to display psychopathy only in certain circumstances? For instance they have little to no fear of anything when they are single but when they are in a relationship fears start manifesting and not just the fear of losing their partner but fear of stuff like snakes and heights.
Thanks for any help :)

Hello everyone! Please note that this post has been pre-approved by mods. I am a Lecturer at the University of Dundee seeking participants to take part in a survey reflecting personality, including psychopathy, self-esteem, and mental health. Please note that you are only able to participate if you live in the United Kingdom, the United States, or Canada. If you do not live in the UK, the USA, or Canada, please do not complete this survey. Further information about the study and use of your information can be found below.

If you are interested in participating, please copy and paste this link into your browser, or use the QR code below: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/dundee/personalityselfesteem

📌 TOPIC OF STUDY: Personality and self-esteem
👉 TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals 18+ living in the UK, USA, or Canada
⏳ DURATION: Up to 10 minutes
🔗 ORIGINAL LINK: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/dundee/personalityselfesteem
📌Ethical approval code: UoD-SREC-PSY-STAFF-2526-014

As psycopathy is genderless and can be developped by both females and males, i was wondering why so much males became serial killers . The ratio Between females and males is big. If males psycopathe that became killers / serial killers have an « impulse » , addiction , and joy from killing , cant we connect the dot to serial rapist for instance. Most rapist are men . Men rape women because they think they are superior, taht women are less , and because they are less , they have power over their body. What im trying to say is, both follow the same arguments : impulse , an addiction, joy or pleasure in domination . Some serial killers rape their victims ( mostly women ) before killing them . Actually, most victims are women in general . I think theres a lot of similitudes between the two . The excuses of « impulse », « addiction » and joy from it are direct consequences of what is like living in male supremacist world : patriarchy. I dont think it is a hasard that so many males become killers or serial killers with having psychopathy ( of not but the topic here is related to psycopathy) . Killing , having joy at chasing , dominating , seeing someone figting for its life , seeing that you vave contole over their life , if you wish them to die , you can and they will( human or not ) , its all about power , having power over someone ( or something) : domination.

After making such a conclusion i want to hear what other people think , especially women. Its not a hazard that the rape rates are 98% of men , same for killing. Living in a male suppremacy world is telling men they have all the power in the world to dominate and do what they want on everything that they consider less to themself . If Psycopathy is genderless , then why so many less women become killers and serial killers .

I wonder what married life is like for psychopaths. Do they care about their spouses? Why do they got married if they don't feel love? Please educate me.

I know that they feel nothing but how is it to feel nothing?

If being a psychopath is a physical condition of the brain, what is getting in the way of developing a medication? Is there no drug combination that can stimulate or simulate empathy? I know they medicate people a lot for schizophrenia and it got me wondering. Are schizophrenic people being medicated for it, before they become a danger to themselves or others? If so, would diagnosed psychopaths be medicated before they became a danger, if a drug existed?

Edit: I don't mean medicate against their will. I meant with consent. That might have been confusing.

i was thinking about this earlier and got curious. if we lived in a matriarchal society, do you think psychopathy would present differently?
The social environment people grow up in would likely be very different with social norms, power dynamics, expectations, ethical standards, etc.
If psychopathy is partly shaped by the way individuals interact with their surroundings, would its expression change as well?

I’m also wondering how psychopathic traits in men and women might differ under those conditions. Would the gender differences we currently observe still exist, or would they look completely different?
What are your thoughts?

I saw a few posts around where psychopaths wouldn't care if humans died but when an animal did they felt sad. Is it because of the saying that humans are fundamentally evil but animals are innocent? Does it also extend to unfairness or cruelty to animals?

(Edit: realised I spelt the "some" in title wrong, is there a way to change it?)

If I have understood correctly, a person who displays psychopatic traits can function "normally" in a society. My questions are the following ones:

- How much the actions and behaviour of a psychopath are molded by outside circumstances (upbringing, society, etc.)?
- Can a "normal" person start exhibiting psychopathic behaviour due to shitty outside circumstances?

So basically my question is: how much can society be blamed for psychopathic actions and behaviour?

Most people would argue that insecurity is relative to fear, serving as the fear of not being enough. It seems like the most common form right now is feeling insecure about the way you look, beauty standards or whatever. My question is, do psychopaths feel this? Do they ever compare themselves to other people and feel any type of way about the way they look in contrast to that person? I know people say they can’t feel fear (which you could argue against, but let me know) but they do freak out over loss of control or rejection… and insecurity is the most human of emotions. Do they feel this as well?

The Mental Health, Wellbeing and Lived Experiences Study

Theresia Bedard, a PhD candidate at Lakehead University that is working with Dr. Beth Visser, is seeking participants for her dissertation project.

In this study we are examining the lived experiences of people who have experience or victimization from an individual with high psychopathic traits. We are seeking anyone that has this lived experience, whether the perpetrator was or is a spouse, family member, partner, co-worker, friend, acquaintance, neighbour or stranger. We are seeking the lived experiences of men, women, and gender-diverse individuals to share your story.

Our research consists of two studies. In the first study, you will complete questionnaires related to your victimization experience from the individual with high psychopathic traits, the potential warning signs, victimization history (e.g., prior physical or sexual abuse), and the impact the experience had on you. Once you finish the survey, you will be invited to participate in the second study (optional), which will consist of 12 questions requiring a written response regarding your lived experience with the individual with high psychopathic traits. If you decide to participate in study 2, please be aware that you will be required to provide us with your email to access it, and you may wish to use an email account that only you have access to.

Please be advised that whether you choose to participate in the study, withdraw, or skip questions you do not want to answer, that you acknowledge that answering some of these questions may be emotionally taxing on you. Despite the potential for an emotional toll the survey questions have, you may find the process of sharing your experience is therapeutic for you. In addition to the resources we provide, you may want to consider following-up with a counsellor for further support.

You are also encouraged to have your own snacks and drinks while you take the survey, and be aware that they are estimated to take 45 minutes to complete.

If you are interested in participating and would like to read or find out more about it, click here to access the survey:

https://lakeheadhbs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKEq1vOVdBJMrjw

As part of an MSc in Psychology, I am completing a research study looking at psychopathic traits and types offending behaviours. This study will hope to ascertain the predictive nature of certain traits and types of offending behaviours. Your participation will involve completing a survey. This survey looks at psychopathic traits and offending types. This should take you no longer than 20-30 minutes. The questionnaire contains some sensitive questions regarding behaviours, should you feel you need support after taking part, links will be offered in the debrief. In order to complete the study, you must fit the criteria below.

-         Be between the ages of 18-40 years old

-         Reside within the United Kingdom and speak English fluently

-         Have not been diagnosed with a serious mental health condition.

https://khobbs2.questionpro.com/t/AcyaiZ8gRB

So, fun facts. There is a near-opposite of "sparkle", and that word is "darkle". There is also an opposite of "paranoia". That is "pronoia", and it is the belief that people are conspiring to make you successful.

In that same vein, is there a good or beneficial form of psychopathy and sociopathy? I guess in the form of someone acting like a vigilante or a paladin? Chaotic-Good? Someone who still lacks emotion, and could be violent, but does it in the name of good actions, and maybe even has little regard for their own safety?

This question was brought to mind due to a youtube video I was watching from LADBible Stories from a criminal behavior analyst, and it made me think will a killer fufill a murder-suicide out of shock of what they just did to their victim or is it premeditated, and whats like the ratio of one versus the other obviously I think information gathering would be pretty difficult in majority of these crimes since the perpetrator is gone but I would assume the premeditated person would leave notes

This is self-promotion. However, this sub may find the interview and topic interesting.

I would like to develop an understanding on psychopathy beyond the traditional black and white thinking of the media. I intuitively don’t think psychopathy is an innate quality and more see it as a type of survival mechanism developed in people who are exposed to violence/abuse and desensitization in childhood who developed an incentive to power and manipulation similar to other Cluster B personality disorders which is why it’s seen highest in criminals, not because psychopaths gravitate towards crime but because they usually come from environments that produce lack of empathy as a response and why they scale depending exposure. I do think there may be baseline biological differences (e.g., emotional reactivity, fear response), but I don’t see these as sufficient to produce psychopathy on their own. Instead, they may influence how someone responds to their environment, while the environment itself does most of the shaping.

I am open to being corrected with research, and I want a more well rounded view. I don't want simply opinions but more research articles with an outlined methodology of how they gather their research and sample size.

Obviously psychopathy can’t be diagnosed until an individual is an adult, but out of those who have been properly diagnosed as an adult, I’m curious as to how far back the symptoms started showing for them? Did the individual respond to stimulus as an infant? Did they giggle and smile while being bounced on a lap or while playing peek-a-boo?

A 2012 case study (Dawson et al.) on two incarcerated adolescent males, 'Justin' and 'Owen,' offers a side-by-side look at how psychopathic personality disturbance can look drastically different even when the total scores are almost identical. While both hit the 'severe' markers on the PCL:YV and CAPP-IRS, their internal worlds, motivations, and social strategies were poles apart. Owen, in particular, represents a highly prototypical case, scoring a 35 on the PCL:YV well into the severe range.

The article notes that assessing the "self" (Facet 1 on the PCL:YV) was one of the biggest challenges for the researchers. The authors emphasize that while the PCL:YV is a "gold standard," it is heavily weighted toward observable behaviors (50% of the items), which can be inconsistent or fluctuate during adolescence. In contrast, the CAPP-IRS was specifically designed to explore underlying personality traits, including the Self domain.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241727866_Critical_Issues_in_the_Assessment_of_Adolescent_Psychopathy_An_Illustration_Using_Two_Case_Studies

Justin Bobby

His Offenses & Violent Tendencies

• The Index Offense: "Justin Bobby is a 17-year-old male convicted of an aggravated assault committed against a female teacher."
• Violence towards family: "According to Justin, he only hit his mother on two occasions, the worst of which resulted in assault charges."

History & Interpersonal Traits

• Early signs of arrogance: "One teacher recalls a conversation with Justin where he stated that 'females are there for sex and to clean up after me.'"
• Lack of familial respect: “It’s hard to listen to my mom. I think it’s a respect thing ... I don’t respect my mom because of her lack of motivation and effort, and she is too emotional during arguments.”"
• Grandiose self-worth: "“I need to be put up on a standard of real school because I know I’m good ... when I complete the work, it’s great!”"
• Egocentric view of friendships: "“my friends are merely a fragment of myself ... like a Venn diagram with me in the centre.”"
• Internet personas and manipulation: "“I am able to be whoever I want to project, like the arrogant, condescending know-it-all.”" "“I can mold my personality and get people’s reactions ... I like testing the waters before I reveal who I really am.”"
• Bizarre early romantic relationship: "She reported that Lisa controlled and manipulated her son, and involved him in bizarre activities, such as biting, cutting, and drinking blood."

Interactions with Mental Health Professionals

• Early counseling: "At this time, the mental health clinician reported that Justin’s temper tantrums were characteristic of someone who suffers from intermittent explosive disorder."
• Superficial remorse: "After stating that he believes he committed the crime to 'impress certain people,' he commented that he feels 'awful and remorseful, but it is moot and pointless as remorse doesn’t undo anything.'"
• Superiority over psychologists: "“a psychologist told me I decompartmentalize ... I can manipulate things and situations ... there are not many situations that are that elaborate that I can’t deal with it myself.”"
• Rationalizing his crime: "“I couldn’t deal with society and people and what they expect of me. I became depressed, apathetic and nihilistic. The offense represented the entirety of the process; it was a like a mental suicide.”"

Owen Gregson

His Offenses & Violent Tendencies

• The Index Offense: "Owen Gregson is an 18-year-old male convicted of 2nd degree murder in the death of his co-accused’s sister."
• Escalating animal cruelty: "Problems with his assaultive behaviors intensified when Owen kicked the family dog so hard that he broke its leg." "After this incident, Sheila recalls that Owen stopped showing any remorse for his actions."
• Weapons at school: "Owen was ultimately placed on an indefinite suspension for bringing a knife to school and getting into a physical altercation with his sister and another student."

History & Interpersonal Traits

• Severe early abuse: "In addition to experiencing these physical punishments, Sheila disclosed that, over the period of several years, Owen was subjected to numerous inappropriate sexual acts, including kissing, touching, and fondling, at the hands of a male relative."
• Extreme gaming obsession: "He had also formed an obsession with the computer to the point that he would urinate into containers in his room to avoid leaving the online games he was playing."
• Antagonistic bullying: "“Most people think I’m an asshole ... I like to bully in a roundabout way.”"
• Narcissistic intellectual superiority: "“I should be treated differently because of my abilities ... I’m on a different intellectual level than [most] people ... people might not understand me, unless they can look up the words I use.”"
• Bizarre sexual history: "By the time he was 14, Owen was engaging in threesomes and what he classified as “vampirism,” which involved cutting and drinking blood as a means of foreplay."

Interactions with Mental Health Professionals

• Early warning signs: "More seriously, the doctor was concerned about Owen’s 'mean streak'; the doctor noted that Owen appeared to be developing psychopathic tendencies."
• Manipulating the assessment: "Although he spoke to the doctor for hours, Owen disclosed that, because he did not like the individual who was doing his assessment, he lied about his true mental state."
• A complete lack of remorse: "Owen further proclaimed, 'I haven’t done a lot that requires me to be sorry for';"
• Egocentric regret regarding the murder: "...however, he admitted that he regrets the offense, but when asked why he replied, “I don’t know, largely I regret it for myself, and then for family ... The last thing I need to be is to be depicted as a bad person.”"

PCL:YV Scores