Today's Thursday • 14 mins read
“Not all psychopaths are in prison – some are in the boardroom.”
— Robert Hare, the leading specialist on Psychopathy
Psychopaths aren’t rare. They form around 1% of the general population, up to 3% of business managers, and up to 25% of the prisoners have psychopathic traits.
Most psychopaths don’t get picked up by law enforcement. They might be scam artists, white-collar criminals, politicians, government leaders, teachers, attorneys, and even police officers. One of them might be at your workplace, gym, or neighborhood.
So, psychopaths are plentiful, like snakes. But only a few snakes will kill you; others make you fearful and uneasy. So with psychopaths.
Psychopaths and psychopathy are not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). They prefer the term “Antisocial Personality Disorder.” And mark these people as having a “pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others.”
- One of its hallmark signs is “fear blindness”: these people are just unstoppable with any threat or warning. They often foresee the serious hurt they will cause, but they still do not give a hoot.
- They are insensitive to others’ feelings, don’t respect the rules of a civic society, and are antisocial by nature and behavior.
- A psychopath can harm you willfully for the pleasure of having control over you.
How To Spot A Psychopath: 20 Defining Signs
Spotting a psychopath early on can help you and your loved ones stay safe.
1. Disdain For Social Norms, Shallow Emotions, & Coldness
The hallmark traits of a psychopath: No rules, no guilt, no shame.
- Have a persistent disregard for social norms and a blatant readiness to violate the rules.
- Known for their cold, callous behavior and lack of guilt when doing the wrong things.
- Have a striking lack of remorse for the repercussions of that behavior.
Psychopaths have a limited range of emotions, appearing detached or indifferent in highly emotional situations. While others are sad, anxious, or excited, the psychopath appears cold and unaffected.
They don’t have a conscience, so watch out for those who don’t feel guilty or regret after they insult a waiter or kick a puppy.
- Research shows psychopathic persons can feel bad about their choices, but still do not use these feelings to make better future choices. Even when they know their actions are harmful, they do not use this knowledge to change their behavior (Baskin-Sommers, 2016).
2. Violent Tendencies And Criminal Versatility
Not all psychopaths are aggressive, but some may show physical or verbal aggression.
- Pronounced irritability, simmering rage, outbursts, physical aggression.
- Uses anger to manipulate and control others.
- Repeatedly engages in violent acts.
A psychopath can adapt to various situations and use ingenious tactics to trap and harm others. 15% to 25% of prison inmates show psychopathic characteristics (Burton & Saleh, 2020).
- They can’t control their emotions and reactions. Which could explain why they cannot self-reflect or understand their own condition.
- The presence of psychopathic traits can predict future violent and sexually violent crimes with up to 80% accuracy.
- They have been found involved in some of the most cruel, violent, and heinous acts in society.
Real-life example: Charles Manson, a notorious cult leader and social deviant, orchestrated a series of brutal murders (including Hollywood celebrities) by manipulating his followers.
3. Problematic Childhood
Psychopathy is more likely to develop in children who display conduct disorder with callous-unemotional (CU) traits.
- Early signs of psychopathy often manifest in childhood as bad conduct or other antisocial behaviors.
- These children are cruel to animals, bully their peers, steal from others, cheat, and pick up fights.
Most psychopaths have a history of conduct disorder by the age of 15, and the worst ones may have their first behavioral issues before their 10th birthday.
Real-life example: Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer showed signs of conduct disorder in his childhood, including cruelty to animals and an obsession with death.
4. Failure to Form Genuine Relationships
Psychopaths are dishonest and will deceive without hesitation or fear. Even if their partner warns them after finding their cheating, they will cheat again.
- They have difficulty forming deep emotional connections.
- Their relationships are exploitative and self-serving.
- String of unstable or short-lived relationships.
It is hard to find them in long-term marriages (except in cultures where arranged marriage and life-long partnerships are the norm).
Psychopaths tend to dominate their relationships, making their long-term partners feel caged and dependent on them.
Usually, they may frequently jump from one relationship to another, discarding partners when they no longer serve a purpose.
Their trail of broken relationships can be traced to their emotional coldness, lack of empathy, cheating nature, and ability to use and hurt people guiltlessly.
Do psychopaths know that they are psychopaths?
5. Manipulation And Exploitation
Psychopaths are skilled manipulators who take advantage of others for personal gain without remorse.
- Skilled at manipulating others for personal gain.
- Uses charm, deceit, and intimidation to achieve goals.
- Exploits all their relationships and takes advantage of trust.
They can use charms, lies, or moral obligation to trap you. Ted Bundy lured many of his victims by simulating a physical injury or disability, asking for help to get close to them.
They are pathological liars and trust abusers, always ready to pounce on other people’s vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Real-life example: Bernie Madoff, a convicted financial fraudster, manipulated and exploited investors for years, resulting in one of the largest financial scandals in history.
6. Lack of Empathy
Psychopaths lack emotional empathy and compassion.
- Lack of guilt, remorse, or shame.
- Mimics emotions to blend in with others.
- Difficulty understanding and feeling emotions.
This lack of empathy makes them resistant to genuinely care about others’ feelings or well-being.
It also keeps them from feeling bad about hurting others. A psychopath may not feel any sorrow or regret after betraying a close friend or family member.
They are, however, good at mimicking empathy, compassion, and kindness to get things done. They can even fake remorse and regret.
Real-life example: Frank Abagnale, portrayed in the film “Catch Me If You Can,” was a master of deception and impersonation, mimicking his way into many high-profile positions.
7. Lack of Guilt or Remorse
Psychopaths do not experience guilt or remorse for their actions, even when they harm others.
- Blames others and makes excuses.
- Rarely takes responsibility for actions.
- Lack of morals, conscience, and empathy.
They have a low capacity for introspection and self-evaluation.
This could be due to their inherent callous and detached nature, which stops them from controlling their destructive behavior even if they understand the after-effects of their actions.
They lack conscientiousness, and this makes them lie and cheat guilt-free.
Even when a psychopath harms someone, they are often unaffected by what happens to them because of their actions. When cornered, they will rather try to escape, attack, or plot revenge.
They will repeat what they have done before (called recidivism or return to crime) whether they receive a pardon or punishment. This makes them highly dangerous.
8. Need For Control & Authority
Psychopaths often crave power, control, and dominance, seeking positions of authority to manipulate and exploit others.
- Seeks positions of power and authority
- Hunger for power and control over others
- Overlap with narcissism and Machiavellianism
They are skilled in self-image management. They curate a charismatic persona with alluring mannerisms, most noted in women psychopaths.
They are experts at social smiles, fake concerns, empty empathy, and flowery flattery. Unfortunately, all this activity is the best part of their controlling game.
9. Impulsivity, High-Risk Behavior, No Fear of Consequences
Psychopaths may act impulsively and recklessly, disregarding potential consequences or the well-being of others.
- Engages in dangerous or harmful behavior
- Poor impulse control and decision-making
- May act on a whim without considering the consequences
They are prone to thrill-seeking and risky behaviors, including criminal activity, substance abuse, and sexual promiscuity.
They do not fear that they might be caught in their act.
This “fear-blindness” is mostly because the areas of their brains linked to fear responses, impulse control, and righteous decision-making do not function as well as in normal people.
Real-life example: Andrew Cunanan, a spree killer, displayed impulsive behavior, committing multiple high-profile murders in a short time.
10. Mean Streak of Behavior
Of course, they are unreliable and irresponsible. They do not keep their promises and commitments. Worse is their meanness.
- Their sadistic streak can be sexual or non-sexual.
- Sadistic enjoyment of the pain and suffering of others.
- It is a strong predictor of violent and sexually violent crimes.
Psychopaths can not just abandon you when you need their help, they can even kick you down the hole.
Once they know they have charmed you, or they get over your “usability,” they will treat you to growing degrees of cruelty. They may fiercely degrade and humiliate their victims in public.
Real-life example: Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, known as the Moors Murderers, lured children under false pretenses and took pleasure in treating them with extreme cruelty, sexual assault, torture, and murder.
11. Narcissistic Tendencies
Psychopaths see no flaws in themselves. They have a strong sense of entitlement, believing they deserve special treatment from others.
Their narcissistic tendencies include:
- A bloated sense of self-importance
- A belief that they are superior to others
- A constant need for praise and attention
They often coerce their victims to praise them. Some may even punish the victim for refusing to give in to their fantasies and whims.
When they are invited, they demand the finest treatment (which is narcissistic entitlement), and if they are not, they will start a violent spate of acts and fights without regard for anyone else (which is psychopathic callousness).
They also often have a grandiose sense of self-worth (grandiosity), believing they are superior to others and entitled to special privileges, much like narcissists.
Real-life example: Joseph Stalin, former Soviet leader, had many psychopathic traits, including a lack of empathy and a ruthless approach to power. He ruthlessly destroyed his perceived enemies and ordered the misery and deaths of millions.
12. Social Deviance And Abnormal Thinking
Psychopaths are known to engage in antisocial and deviant behavior, such as crime, vandalism, and other acts that violate societal norms.
- Repeatedly engages in acts that violate social norms
- Poor anger management and impulse control
- Acts against the well-being of others
Their brains are seemingly wired in such a way that they can find it funny or joyful to treat others with utmost cruelty.
Even their threats and criticism can have a satanic nature. They can tell you things like, “I will burn you in your grave.”
13. Superficial Charm & Appeal
Psychopaths are often charming and persuasive, using their charisma to manipulate others.
- Highly persuasive and engaging
- Skilled at faking prosocial behaviors
- Charm eventually wears off, revealing coldness or cruelty
They excel at mimicking empathy, kindness, and concern, but this facade usually fades over time, revealing their true, colder nature.
Real-life example: Serial killer Ted Bundy was known for gaining the trust of his victims with his charm and good looks.
14. Parasitic Lifestyle
Psychopaths may rely on others for financial support or resources, exploiting their generosity and kindness.
- Relies on others for financial support or resources
- Exploits others’ generosity and kindness
- Unwilling to contribute or reciprocate
Real-life example: Maury Travis, who killed between 12 and 20 women, lived in the basement of his mother Sandra Travis’ house, using it as a torture chamber.
15. Lack of Commitments & Attachments
Psychopaths struggle to form deep, meaningful connections with others, often maintaining superficial relationships based on manipulation and deceit.
- Unreliable and unpredictable
- Fears being tied down or restricted
- Avoids long-term relationships and obligations
A psychopath may avoid committing to a job, romantic relationship, or friendship due to a fear of being controlled or losing their freedom.
16. Frequent Job Changes or Unemployment
A psychopathic individual may change jobs frequently or struggle to hold down a job due to their inability to form genuine relationships and their need for control.
- Difficulty maintaining stable employment
- Frequent job changes or periods of unemployment
- Often works in positions of power or control
17. Hostile & Antagonistic
Psychopaths often have a hidden aggressive side.
- Can pretend to be friendly, kind, and charming temporarily
- Tend to hold racist, sexist, or misogynistic views
- Treat people in hostile or unkind ways
They are often argumentative and combative, frequently seeking conflict and confrontation.
18. Lack of Long-Term Goals
Psychopaths may lack clear, long-term goals or plans, instead focusing on immediate gratification and short-term gains.
They have trouble planning for the future and following through on duties and commitments. Their inability to form stable connections or pursue long-term objectives contributes to their erratic and destructive behavior.
- Tendency to live in the present moment, disregarding future consequences
- Inability to maintain stable employment or relationships
- Frequent changes in residence or personal circumstances
Real-life example: Andrew Cunanan, once again. He murdered the famous fashion designer, Gianni Versace, in 1997. He lived a transient lifestyle, moving from place to place and having various short-term relationships.
19. Poor Behavioral Controls
Psychopaths may struggle to control their behavior, often lashing out in anger, frustration, or aggression.
They struggle to adhere to social norms and expectations, and find it hard to put up good behavior for long periods of time.
- Difficulty managing anger and frustration
- Frequent outbursts of aggression or violence
- Impulsive and reckless decision-making
20. Sexual Promiscuity
Psychopaths may engage in reckless and impulsive sexual behavior, often being promiscuous, and disregarding the feelings and well-being of their partners.
- Tendency to have multiple sexual partners
- Manipulate others for sexual gratification
- May engage in high-risk sexual behaviors
Real-life example: Ted Bundy, a notorious serial killer, was known for his sexual promiscuity and manipulation of women. He used his charm and good looks to lure victims, ultimately leading to the brutal murders of at least 30 young women during the 1970s.
Origin of Psychopaths
1. In Their Genes
- Psychopaths may have different brains. The areas linked to emotion control, morality, and decision-making show low activity in their brains.
- Murderers from good homes had 14.2% less functioning of the right orbitofrontal cortex; damage to this brain area results in reduced fear conditioning as well as personality and emotional deficits that parallel criminal psychopathic behavior, or what some have termed “acquired sociopathy” (Baker & Bezdjian. 2006).
- Around 49% of the variance in psychopathy is due to genetic factors, while the remaining 51% is attributed to non-shared environmental influences (Beaver & Rowland, 2011).
- Among various genetic influences, certain structural and functional derangements in the brain have been found to contribute to psychopathy (Thompson & Ramos, 2014).
2. From Their Environment
- Problematic parenting, childhood trauma, and harsh living conditions may contribute to psychopathy (Burton & Saleh, 2020)
- Children who experience harsh, inconsistent discipline or a lack of parental warmth are at a higher risk of developing psychopathic traits.
- Exposure to traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or neglect, can contribute to the onset of psychopathic behaviors.
- High-risk environments with unsupportive communities and deviant peers may increase a person’s susceptibility to psychopathy (Junewicz & Billick, 2021).
3. Related Mental Illnesses
High-functioning psychopaths may have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorders.
Treating Psychopaths
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help with the emotional and behavioral issues of psychopathy.
Medicines may be prescribed for their co-existing mental health issues:
- Mood stabilizers to reduce mood swings in bipolar disorder.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) to reduce symptoms of OCD.
- Antipsychotics to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
How To Protect Yourself from Psychopaths
- Awareness: Know their warning signs: emotional coldness, lack of conscience, compulsive lying, fearlessness, mental toughness, and antisocial impulses.
- Set boundaries: Don’t let them get too close to you. Don’t share any details (or give out only the bare minimum) of your personal life. Keep your past secret. Don’t trust them easily.
- Learn self-defense skills: Learn self-defense (verbal and physical) techniques to protect yourself. Avoid “telling them their true nature.”
- Inform others: Share the psychopath’s details with friends, family, and colleagues.
- Report concerns: Reach out to authorities if they threaten or bully you.
Final Words
Psychopaths exist among us, unknown to us.
- They might not hate you, but they might not love you the way you want to be loved.
- Before they attack you, homicidal psychopaths may seem like fun people to be with.
- The most dangerous part is that they don’t fear consequences or feel any remorse. They can make you sit on a faulty rollercoaster and then shrug their shoulders when you fall.
Former FBI profiler Joe Navarro says, “To live among predators, one must know and respect them.”
√ Also Read: Do Psychopaths Know They Are Psychopaths?
√ Please spread the word if you found this helpful.