How to Identify a Psychopath

Hi there ! How are you today ? Fine ? I hope so~

Today I'll post about Psychology Studies. Since my cousins was a student in psychology department of Airlangga University. She tell me some ways to identify a psycopath. Did you know that 'psychopathy checklist' was initially developed to assess the mental condition of people who commit crimes ? the methods called 'Hare Psychopathy Checklist', and it’s commonly used to diagnose people who may exhibit the traits and tendencies of a psychopath. Most mental health professionals define a psychopath as a predator who takes advantage of others using charm, deceit, violence and other methods to get what they want. Identify a psychopath by using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist and trusting your own intuition (you' ll need some training for it).

1. Look for glib and superficial charm. A psychopath will also put on what professionals refer to as a "mask" of sanity that is likeable and pleasant.

2. Look for a grandiose self perception. Psychopaths will often believe they are smarter or more powerful than they actually are.

3. Watch for a constant need for stimulation. Stillness, quiet and reflection are not things embraced by psychopaths. They need constant entertainment and activity.

4. Determine if there is pathological lying. A psychopath will tell all sorts of lies; little white lies as well as huge stories intended to mislead.

5. Evaluate the level of manipulation. All psychopaths are identified as cunning and able to get people to do things they might not normally do. They can use guilt, force and other methods to manipulate.

6. Look for any feelings of guilt. An absence of any guilt or remorse is a sign of psychopathy. Remember I was using a words "any" here. it's mean that "there is no". It's may be the same as "every". But "any" is used for negative thing. Many of Indonesian has misunderstanding about this word.

7. Consider the affect or emotional response a person has. Psychopaths demonstrate shallow emotional reactions to deaths, injuries, trauma or other events that would otherwise cause a deeper response

8. Look for a lack of empathy. Psychopaths are callous and have no way of relating to non-psychopaths

9. Take a look at the person's lifestyle. Psychopaths are often parasitic, meaning they live off other people.

10. Talk about goals. Psychopaths have unrealistic goals for the long term. Either there are no goals at all, or they are unattainable and based on the exaggerated sense of one's own accomplishments and abilities.

11. Look at whether the person is impulsive or irresponsible. Both those characteristics are evidence of psychopathy.

12. Consider whether the person can accept responsibility. A psychopath will never admit to being wrong or owning up to mistakes and errors in judgment.

 "I have found it easier to identify with the characters who verge upon hysteria, who were frightened of life, who were desperate to reach out to another person. But these seemingly fragile people are the strong people really." - Tennessee Williams