Psychopath

Psychopathy is not an official diagnosis but refers to a combination of behavioral traits including antisocial behavior, “callousness,” and low levels of empathy and interpersonal emotions. People whose behavior mostly falls under antisocial tendencies are instead diagnosed with sociopathy — officially antisocial personality disorder.

Psychopath, sociopath, or just arrogant? Few people understand the science behind the psychopath and the sociopath. In this full-length masterclass video, clinical psychologist and personality disorder expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula does a deep dive on the psychopath, the sociopath, and everything you need to know about antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

There's a fine line between someone who is overly-confident and someone who has antisocial personality disorder, which is the clinical diagnosis behind psychopathy and sociopathy. Not only are ASPD symptoms and behaviors difficult to spot, it's also far more common than most people realize.

Psychopathy is a personality construct consisting of a cluster of characteristics used by mental health professionals to describe someone who is charming, manipulative, emotionally ruthless and potentially criminal.

1. Look for insincere charm. Just as an actor dons many roles, a psychopath will put on what professionals refer to as a "mask" of normality that is likable and pleasant. The psychopath is known to be the life of the party and generally appeals to everyone.
2. Look for a grandiose self-perception. Psychopaths will often believe they are smarter or more powerful than they actually are.
3. Check for impulsivity and irresponsibility. Both of those characteristics are evidence of psychopathy. They tend to see nothing at all wrong with their way of being in the world. Psychopaths are infamous for their refusal to acknowledge responsibility for the decisions they make, or the outcomes of their decisions.
4. Watch for rule-breaking tendencies. If your acquaintance tends to follow rules by the letter, it’s unlikely they have psychopathic traits. Psychopaths loathe authority and typically view themselves as above rules.
5. See if they have a history of juvenile delinquency. Experts find common threads in the childhoods of adults who go on to meet the criteria for psychopathy. Psychopaths often exhibit delinquent behaviors in their youth, including aggressive behaviors towards others.

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