Approximately 1% of the population will receive a clinical diagnosis of psychopathy. But could you identify one if you encountered them?
Often, the indicators of psychopathy might remain unnoticed in our everyday interactions. There are certain subtle signs that can be overlooked, even by those who are close to us, such as friends or family members.
Nevertheless, a criminologist has shed light on the signs to watch for, including a crucial indicator that a new acquaintance or romantic interest might be a psychopath.
Professor David Wilson, while responding to questions from the ‘Honesty Box’ with LADbible, provided insights into the fundamental behaviors that sometimes make psychopaths difficult to recognize.
He stated: “Psychopaths don’t have horns on their head or a long-pointed tail, if it were that easy, it would be easy to spot a psychopath.”
He continued by describing psychopaths as being ‘very good at mirroring behavior’, noting: “They are very good at being plausible, at being charming.”
“But effectively, you spot a psychopath because a psychopath needs to get close to you as quickly as possible.”
Explaining why this closeness is crucial, Professor Wilson elaborated: “If he gets close to you and learns about you, he can use that knowledge to manipulate you – because by manipulating you, he’s able to live off you.”
“Psychopaths are very parasitical, they don’t want to spend too much energy and therefore they can live off you by knowing the buttons to press to impress you or to get money out of you.”
Even though the term ‘psychopath’ is often used casually in modern discourse, the actual condition is exceedingly uncommon.
Professor Wilson highlights that among those 1 in 100 diagnosed as psychopaths, 90% will be male, indicating a significant gender disparity in the prevalence of the condition.
According to VeryWell Mind, the term psychopath is more of a descriptor rather than an independent diagnosis. It typically refers to individuals who are callous, unemotional, and morally depraved.
This term is frequently used in clinical and legal contexts to describe individuals who are generally egocentric, antisocial, lacking in remorse and empathy, and sometimes exhibit criminal behavior.
Many of the personality traits linked with psychopathy overlap with another mental condition known as Antisocial Personality Disorder. However, only a tiny fraction of those with antisocial personality disorder are truly considered psychopaths.
Common characteristics of psychopathy include: