Do You Show Signs Of Psychopathy: Take The Free Test

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If you think all psychopaths are violent criminals, serial killers, and deranged mutilators, then you are mistaken! Media and films are the main reason for forming that view.

Many psychopaths, in fact, are hidden in plain sight. They don’t just live like everyone else, they also do good things for society.

Three interesting facts of psychopathy:

High-functioning psychopaths can and do live normally in the society.
A few psychopathic traits are not enough to label someone a psychopath.
Many people have a small amount of psychopathy that they can use beneficially.

Now, since they get a lot of negative public attention, psychopaths learn early on to put on a mask to hide their real selves.

As a result, you may not spot a psychopath around you at all. Then, how to tell if someone has features of a psychopath?

Read on.

How Experts Identify Psychopaths

Psychologists use these three tests to determine a psychopathic personality:

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 2003): The most widely used test to diagnose psychopathy in jail and forensic settings. It has 20 items rated based on interview and file-records. The cutoff score for the diagnosis of psychopathy is 30 out of a maximum of 40.
Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996): An index of personality traits that have been described in historic conceptions of psychopathy.
Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R; Lilienfeld & Widows, 2005): A new tool, contains 154 items, organized into eight facet scales.

Test: Signs of A Psychopathic Personality (Non-Diagnostic)

The test below has 20 questions, mainly based on PCL-R, to check someone’s psychopathic tendencies and traits.

Important Note: Do not use this test to diagnose psychopathy, even if the score is a very high. At best, this test may help you get some insights on your behaviors, views, and feelings. If you get an unusual result, consult a psychologist or psychiatrist for a formal diagnosis.

Answer these questions honestly, remembering that there is no right or wrong answer.

Take the test:

Psychopath Personality Assessment

I’ve always found it easy to convince people to do favors for me.
When I know someone is struggling, I think of them often and hope they’re doing OK.
Other people make so many stupid mistakes compared to me.
I don’t see a problem with lying if it helps me get what I want.
If someone told me that I hurt their feelings, I would feel badly.
In truth, I find most people boring or stupid.
People often blame me for things that are actually their fault.
People who refuse to break rules out of principle are foolish; they’ll never get ahead.
Seeing someone cry has little effect on me, other than maybe irritating me.
It’s fun to antagonize people just to see how upset they get.
I get uncomfortable at the thought of committing a crime.
I usually know just what to say to make other people do what I want.
I’ll do whatever it takes to feel a thrill.
It is important to honor financial obligations.
Everyone else seems emotional and whiny compared to me.
Helping other people instead of focusing on myself is usually a waste of time.
I don’t understand people who are anxious or fearful all the time because nothing really scares me.
Some people just aren’t meant to succeed in life, and that’s not my problem.
I wear my heart on my sleeve.
If a rule or law would get in the way of my goals, I feel justified in breaking it.

Scoring

0-5: Generally considered to be within the normal range, indicating no significant psychopathic traits.
6-12: Considered to be in the moderate range, indicating some psychopathic traits, but they are not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of psychopathy.
13-19: Considered to be in the high range, indicating significant psychopathic traits and may be at risk for antisocial behavior.
20-40: Considered to be in the very high range, indicating severe psychopathic traits, and is likely to be diagnosed with psychopathy by an expert.

Further Reading:

Hare Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL-R), Robert Hare (1991). The PCL-R can be scored in terms of two factors:

Factor 1: Labelled “selfish, callous and remorseless use of others.”
Factor 2: Labelled as “chronically unstable, antisocial and socially deviant lifestyle.”

Out of a maximum score of 40, the original PCL-R has a cutoff score of psychopathy is 30 in the United States and 25 in the United Kingdom. A cut-off score of 25 is also sometimes used for research purposes.

Self-Report Psychopathy Scale

Here's another test:

Source: The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, Dickison & Sellbom (2023)

Final Words

The PCL-R points out these hallmarks of psychopathy:

a strong lack of empathy,
impulsivity and aggression,
lack of social connectedness,
persistent criminal or violent behavior,
Machiavellianism, and manipulative behavior.

The PPI identifies two distinct signs of a psychopath:

Fearless dominance (FD) factor — reflecting social aggressiveness, stress immunity, and fearlessness.
Self-centered impulsivity (SCI) factor — reflecting egocentricity, exploitativeness, hostile rebelliousness, and lack of planning.

A professional diagnosis of psychopathy requires a face-to-face interview, with additional information on lifetime behavior. This test might help you understand more of it.

√ Also Read: 4 Types of Psychopaths: Nature And Behaviors of Each

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Do You Show Signs of Psychopathy: Take The Free Test