Question: I’ve heard that this is kind of a Hollywood myth, and the Ted Bundys and Dexter Morgans are the exception, not the rule. Like many psychopaths, when you meet them you know something is off.
Psychopathy is a real, well studied and well validated mental construct, and is recognized by mental health professionals working in the field. Due to its nature it is far likelier to become an issue forensically than clinically, but there is no doubt that it describes a real personality construct. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is an interrelated concept, but is distinct from psychopathy. This article explains the distinction as well as it can be:
Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Case of Diagnostic Confusion
Put very simply, ASPD casts a wider net than psychopathy; a person who meets criteria for ASPD may or may not be a psychopath. Psychopathy is a particularly extreme and virulent strain of aggressively antisocial and narcissistic personality traits, much more so than found in the average person who would meet DSM criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder. The reason ASPD is a broader construct is that the original decision to encapsulate what was then being called sociopathy and psychopathy in the DSM III under the term “Antisocial Personality Disorder” led to the use of such broad behavioral criteria that many people who would not really meet the clinical picture of psychopathy qualified for an ASPD diagnosis - in other words, 80% to 90% of the prison population would meet criteria for ASPD, but only 20% or so would fit the profile of a psychopath as those who were at the leading edge of study of psychopathy would assess it. There was a huge attempt at revamping the entire concept of personality disorders during discussions of the DSM 5, particularly of integrating the concept of psychopathy into a new “Antisocial/Psychopathic Personality Disorder” that was part of a huge intended overhaul of personality disorders, but it didn’t get voted into the book wholesale and was apparently compromised into an alternative personality disorder model of “Antisocial Personality Disorder with Psychopathic Features.”
As correctly stated above, there is no requirement that a person commit homicide to qualify as a psychopath - most psychopaths never kill anybody. Psychopaths tend towards being parasitic career criminals and con men, frequently violent but not necessarily.
Superficial charm is a characteristic commonly associated with psychopathy. It makes sense when you think about it; if you lack empathy for other people and look at them only as a commodity to be exploited, developing a charm to exploit them is a very useful skill. It’s important to note that that charm is superficial, however, there’s a fundamental disconnect arising from the fact that the psychopath doesn’t actually connect deeply with the other person - they know the words but don’t hear the music of human connection, so to speak. It’s not a trait all psychopaths share, either. Some are about as charming as something you’d dig out from under your toenail.
I’ve never seen the show, but Sheldon sounds more like someone somewhere on the Autistic Spectrum. In fact, I remember reading a discussion (can’t recall if it was on this board or elsewhere) with an Asperger’s patient who described what his condition was like, and someone stated that his description sounded almost exactly like psychopathy. How does one tell the difference? This person said, the major difference is that psychopaths are inherently narcissistic, whereas Aspies and other people with spectrum-related disorders naturally shun attention.
That being said, some autistics are indeed prone to violence – though such events are quite rare.
Thanks to Pravnik for providing some actual facts about psychopathy and anti-social personality disorder, two separate things. “Sociopathy” is such a widely abused term these days, and can mean almost anything. I avoid using that term as much as possible.
Briefly, psychopaths are characterized by
- Lack of attachment and empathy towards other people. (sadly, some of them can fake it when it suits them.)
- Lack of remorse. ( I had a psychopathic patient say anything he ever did, he had to do, and did without any regret. This included beating a 3 year old to death.)
- Callous disregard for the needs or feelings of anyone other than themselves.
Antisocial personality disorder folks may have difficulty with empathy and attachment, but don’t necessarily lack it completely. Same for remorse and disregard.
One psychopathic patient, when told the above 3 characteristics of psychopathy, stated that he felt that was setting the bar very low for such a diagnosis. After all, wasn’t everyone like that? It seems that psychopaths really don’t feel they are psychopathic.
QtM, who sees a lot of psychopaths. Some of whom are very charming.
:: Um, TBBT? Sheldon? ::
Sheldon Cooper, a lead character on The Big Bang Theory, a television show of some renown.
Thanks. Ignorance fought. 
To quote Howard Wolowitz, “It’s funny when it’s not happening to us.”
Lots of good answers already, I’ll just chime in that Sheldon’s collection of restraining orders is evidence of his social *cluelessness *(more similar to autism spectrum, but of course very exaggerated), not a *premeditated intention *to violate the rights of others (antisocial personality). In my limited experience with criminal antisocial personalities, it has seemed to hold true that they imagine we are all just as empty and shallow as they are, several have told me they are convinced that ‘normies’ just fake empathy as a strategy.
This reminds me of the position held by some animal behaviorists that loving behavior shown by pets is not evidence that they really love you - they have just learned (or evolved) to act like they love you because it’s the best way to get food and shelter.
To address the original question, my call is it would be correct for a qualified mental health professional to refer to someone who has never killed as a psychopath. I don’t think laypeople are qualified to make that diagnosis.
What do you call someone who knows it’s illegal, understands why, understands that they shouldn’t do it, but just flat-out doesn’t care?
I have to figure that’s where the vast majority of these low-life assholes who scam the elderly and the like fall; you can’t tell me that they don’t know better than to rip befuddled old folks off.
The current term of Anti social personality disorder is used to describe a person who: 1) shows a pattern of disregard for the rights of others ie/ inability to conform with the law, displays behaviors such as conning, lying for profit or pleasure. Are impulsive. Engages in frequent physical fights. Has a reckless disregard for the safety of others. Does not honor debts and or is unable to keep a steady job. Has a lack of remorse or empathy for others.
2) is at leAst 18 years of age
3) has displayed some or all of these behaviors throughout child hood and adolescence
4) the above behaviors have not occurred exclusively during the course do schizophrenia or a manic episode.
There are lots of these people out there who never commit murder but wreck havoc on the lives of people around them. Mostly for their amusement or other gain. During my years as a psych nurse I encountered many. I remember having a discussion with a young man where he described how he would pick out a victim to molest. He described what he would look for in the child and how he would get them away from the other kids and how how would convince the child it was their fault. He talked to me in a manner and tone that I would use discussing the weather with an acquaintance. It was and remains to this day one of the top 10 most chilling conversations I have ever had. M. Scott Peck wrote a fascinating book called The People of the Lie where he tackles the topic of evil, what it is, and how it effects society. It’s worth a read if this topic interests you. Hope this helps.
I think Adam was misdx, and was a psychopath,not autistic.
Well, yes; they’ve learned when they act a certain way, certain good things will happen. Why not keep acting that way? Do you think when you’re not there that your animal is hoping you’re having a good day?
But would he care?
IIRC. the criteria which differentiates a sociopath and a psychopath are thus:
Sociopaths have no empathy or remorse. They are also pathologically charming.
Psychopaths have an unusually high tolerance for danger…they feel no worry.
A psychopath will display an inappropriate level of calm under stressful conditions.
One ‘monster’ can display various levels of both sociopathy AND psycopathy.
I’ve read a few “pop” works dealing with the subject of sociopathy (this one in particular was pretty compelling) and one tactic that seems to come up is the sociopath arguing that their self-centered actions are more authentic and honest than those of us “empaths.” After all, aren’t we all in it for ourselves when all is said and done? Don’t we want something from the people in our lives, whether it’s sex, financial security, stimulating company, etc.? So what’s wrong (goes the sociopath’s reasoning) with recognizing that’s what you’re doing, and living your life accordingly?
For the record, I don’t subscribe to that reasoning.
IANAP- but I agree with this analysis. Also, I see what you mean about the “Psyche” character, Shawn Spencer. This is creepy to me, because I and my family really like the show- we would happily invite Shawn into our home.