How Do You Spot a Psychopath? Meaning, Causes, & More

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Key signs to spot a psychopath anywhere
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Psychopathy is a term used in pop psychology to describe someone who is charming, manipulative, emotionally ruthless, and reckless. Based on how frequently the term is used in the media, you’d think these so-called psychopaths are everywhere; however, it’s estimated that they make up just 1% of the population. But how do you know if someone in your life is part of the 1%? In this article, we describe all the signs to identify a psychopath. Plus, we’ll explain what causes psychopathic or antisocial tendencies and how they can be treated.

Characteristics of Psychopathy

  1. Impulsivity and irresponsibility
  2. Disregard to people’s emotions
  3. Compulsive lying
  4. Aggressiveness
  5. Lack of a moral compass
  6. Overtly charming
Section 1 of 6:

13 Traits of a Psychopath

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  1. Just as an actor takes on many roles, a psychopath can put on what professionals refer to as a “mask” of normality that’s likable, pleasant, and charming. A psychopath may be known as the “life of the party” and generally appeal to everyone. Usually, a psychopath attempts to influence people to like them so they’re easier to manipulate later. [1]
    • Psychopaths may exude an air of confidence that naturally draws others to them. They probably have a stable job with relative success. They might even have a relationship or family. They are quite good at playing the role of “model citizen.”
  2. Psychopaths often believe they are smarter or more powerful than they are. They typically like to cozy up to successful and powerful people because it raises their own status. They may even believe they’re owed special treatment over others. [2]
    • Their inflated sense of self-importance often leads to one crack in their mask of normalcy. They may step on your toes if you don’t have any value or status to offer them.
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  3. Psychopaths are typically known for their refusal to acknowledge responsibility for the decisions they make or the outcomes of their decisions. Something like, “I don’t want to go to work” or “I think I’ll blow off this meeting and get a drink instead” are common impulsive ideas that a psychopath might act on. In other words, a psychopath is generally the opposite of reliable. [3]
    • Psychopaths are often self-centered, acting on a whim based on their own emotional state. They do whatever they want, whenever they want. This may result in them cheating, lying, committing crimes, and stealing just because.
  4. Psychopaths may loathe authority and typically view themselves as above rules. It’s estimated that 93% of adult male psychopaths in the United States are in prison, jail, parole, or probation, which is linked to the rule-breaking tendencies of psychopaths. [4]
    • Similarly, psychopaths can often exhibit delinquent behaviors in their youth, including aggressive behaviors toward others. [5]
    • Keep in mind that many psychopaths can avoid prison while still stepping over laws and not having any hang-ups about doing so.
  5. In general, psychopaths can lack a moral compass. It’s possible that their differentiation of “right” and “wrong” is skewed, which can lead them to making poor decisions or emotionally hurting others. They might be aware of the concept of “right” and “wrong,” but they’re likely indifferent about where their choices fall on a moral scale. [6]
    • For example, a psychopath is unlikely to live by a “moral code.” They may see no problem going after a friend's date or competing with a close pal for a job promotion and boasting about it.
  6. As licensed psychologist Liana Georgoulis explains, psychopaths often have shallow emotional responses. They don’t react normally to deaths, injuries, or other events that would cause a deep negative response in others. [7]
    • The difference between psychopathic and another antisocial or autistic response is that while autistic people may seem initially numb, they can melt down in distress later or throw themselves into research and ways to help. With psychopaths, there are usually no deep emotions hiding underneath.
  7. Individuals with psychopathy can have a general absence of guilt or remorse. Callousness is one of the primary characteristics used to describe them. A psychopath may feign guilt over bad behavior to manipulate a person into not becoming angry. [8]
    • For example, they pretend to go into a guilt spiral over hurting their victim, so the victim ends up consoling them instead.
    • While psychopathy precludes genuine empathy, psychopaths can fake empathy very well. They cannot spontaneously empathize but can do so at will (to charm others, for example).
    • Reader Poll: We asked 2182 wikiHow readers and 51% of them agreed that the most telling behavior of a psychopath is a lack of empathy . [Take Poll] So, remorselessness may be the key trait to look for when determining whether someone’s a psychopath.
  8. A psychopath may never genuinely admit to being wrong or own up to mistakes. When pressed, they might admit to making a mistake but manipulate others to avoid consequences. It’s possible they don’t understand the severity of their wrongdoings. Because of this, they’ll often put blame on others or disregard responsibility altogether. [9]
  9. Psychopaths typically love to create chaos and drama. Because they tend to get bored easily, it’s important to them that things stay interesting. They may provoke arguments and then come off as the victim. They could wreak havoc on others’ lives and sit back and watch innocently. [10]
    • If someone in your life is a psychopath, you probably leave interactions with them questioning your own sanity. Let’s say you’re at work, and the psychopath alerts you that one coworker has been insulting you behind your back. They may coax you to confront the person. In the aftermath of an ugly confrontation, you eventually realize the other person was goaded just like you.
  10. Psychopaths can be identified as extremely cunning. They can get you to do things you might not normally do. They may use guises, guilt-tripping, coercion, and other methods to get victims to do their bidding. [11]
    • For example, say you’re a high-ranking executive in your company. The psychopath “befriends” you and teases out your weaknesses. One day, you arrive at work and hear that news of a scandal is affecting the workplace. It seems the sensitive information you told the psychopath was leaked to the media. You are fired. Guess who’s in line to take your position?
  11. Maintaining long-term and stable relationships can be difficult for a psychopath. They often use manipulation and emotional tactics to get what they want; then, they let go of the relationships. They never truly bond with people; therefore, walking away from a marriage, friendship, or other relationship is quite effortless. [12]
  12. A psychopath can tell all sorts of lies—little lies to trip you up or whopping made-up stories intended to mislead. Even when telling the truth would be painless, they may still default to lying, which doesn’t cause them shame. They take pride in their lies. And if you think you’ve caught them up, they may switch around the facts to appear truthful. [13]
  13. If a psychopath is backed into a corner and expected to show remorse, they may put on a show to meet the demand. However, because their emotional affect is blunted, they’re unable to deliver a convincing apology. [14]
    • You might witness inconsistencies like them saying, “Seriously, I never meant to hurt you,” with a slight smirk on their face and their tone lacking authenticity.
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Section 2 of 6:

What is a psychopath?

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  1. A psychopath is considered to be very dangerous and/or mentally ill. [15] Their condition (psychopathy) causes them to do things that make them less compassionate, affectionate, and apologetic. A psychopath has a limited emotional range, which can cause them to be a risk to themselves and others. [16]
    • Anyone can be a psychopath—psychopathy doesn’t discriminate between race, gender, culture, or social class.
    • Around 1.2% of adult men and 0.7% of women in the US are psychopaths.
    • “Psychopath” is sometimes used to describe the clinical condition of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). ASPD is a mental condition where an individual shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the emotions of others. [17] While “psychopath” can be used to explain some elements of ASPD, doctors rarely use the term to describe patients because it isn’t an official mental health condition and has negative pop culture associations. [18]
Section 3 of 6:

What causes psychopathy?

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  1. The specific cause of psychopathy or ASPD (antisocial personality disorder) is unknown; however, scientists believe it’s the outcome of how an individual is raised and their genetic makeup. Those who experienced childhood neglect or abuse may be more predisposed to psychopathic tendencies. Similarly, those with ADHD or a history of personality disorders in the family may be more at risk. [19]
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Section 4 of 6:

How is psychopathy diagnosed?

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  1. Psychopathy is not an official mental health condition. Because of this, those suspected to have psychopathic tendencies are evaluated for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and other personality disorders. The individual’s thoughts, feelings, behavioral patterns, and relationships are compared to personality disorder symptoms. [20]
    • If they have 3 or more of the following, they may be diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder, like psychopathy:
      • Failure to conform to social norms
      • Deceitfulness, repetitive lying, or manipulation for personal gain
      • Impulsivity and irresponsibility
      • Irritability and aggressiveness
      • Disregard for the safety of self and others
      • Lack of remorse
    • While both adults and children can be evaluated for personality disorders, children cannot be diagnosed or treated for psychopathy. Instead, psychologists can diagnose and treat minors for mental conditions like anxiety and ADHD. [21]
    • Avoid diagnosing or labeling someone with ASPD or as a psychopath unless you have the qualifications to do so.
Section 5 of 6:

Can you treat psychopathy?

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  1. Because psychopathy is a large umbrella term, there isn’t a clear-cut solution for treating someone with psychopathic tendencies. Many treatments and trials have proved unsuccessful (especially amongst adult patients); however, a 2021 study showed that a schema therapy that focused on attachment issues showed significant improvement. [22]
    • Children with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) symptoms are typically treated with behavioral intervention that rewards and promotes positive social behavior.
    • Psychopathic patients may be prescribed antidepressants, antipsychotics, or anticonvulsants to help tame symptoms.
    • There is currently no cure or medication specifically for ASPD.
    • If there’s a psychopath in your life, know that there are ways to cope : ignore their intimidations, turn the conversation back on them, and talk to a therapist.
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Section 6 of 6:

Psychopath vs. Sociopath

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  1. Psychopathy and sociopathy are often used interchangeably to define someone who is antisocial, reckless, and disregards other people's feelings. There’s no official clinical difference between the terms, as they’re not clinical diagnoses; however, the symptoms vary slightly: [23]
    • Psychopaths pretend to feel emotions and are unable to form true emotional attachments.
    • Sociopaths can feel some emotions (specifically rage) and might be able to form close attachments with a few people.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What defines someone as a psychopath?
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Expert Answer
    Probably the greatest alert that you are dealing with a psychopath is a lack of empathy--the person's inability to put themselves into your shoes no matter what the situation or feelings involved.
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  • Question
    What are the characteristics of a psychopath?
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Expert Answer
    Psychopaths have shallow emotions and come across as callous. They have a sense of grandiosity about their own importance. They tend to not accept responsibility for their own actions or failures. They also can be charming and manipulative.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What are the 20 traits of a psychopath?
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Expert Answer
    There are 20 checklist items on the PCL-R which is a tool that assesses for psychopathic profiles. Interpreting that is complex. If you are interested to learn more, please search online for "PCL-R."
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      Tips

      • Watch out for pity parties. Psychopaths are experts at manipulating your emotions and insecurities into causing you to view them as the victim.
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      • Keep in mind that these types of psychopathy behaviors can also stem from a variety of mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you care about a person who happens to be a psychopath, just know that there's no convincing them to get help without them taking the first step. You cannot convince them to seek therapy. They have to choose it themselves.
      • If you are young, I highly suggest watching out for psychopaths. They will treat you great at first just to get what they want, but they will eventually isolate you from the people you care about.
      • Psychopaths will often use their lack of guilt to convince other people that their guilt is misplaced. Don't let anyone put you down for feeling bad about mistakes you've made.
      • Never rely on a psychopath to keep any promises they make. Whether or not they keep it is entirely dependent on whether or not it benefits them.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/hidden-suffering-psychopath
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3560578/
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2765815/
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4059069/
      5. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0011128720926120
      6. ↑ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/judgment-and-decision-making/article/moral-identity-in-psychopathy/E51E502DF6E25F6BD1AE16F4D6D26865
      7. ↑ Liana Georgoulis, PsyD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview. 6 September 2018.
      8. ↑ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/judgment-and-decision-making/article/moral-identity-in-psychopathy/E51E502DF6E25F6BD1AE16F4D6D26865
      9. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindmelding/201706/9-clues-you-may-be-dealing-psychopath
      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopathy
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321752/
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopathy
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopathy
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/neurosagacity/201506/6-obstacles-relationship-psychopath
      6. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/psychopath
      7. ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/03/ce-corner-psychopathy
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353928
      9. ↑ https://www.mnpsych.org/index.php?option=com_dailyplanetblog&view=entry&category=industry%20news&id=4:psychopathy-what-mental-health-professionals-need-to-know
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/
      11. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/
      12. ↑ https://modlab.yale.edu/news/there-are-no-child-psychopaths-because-we-cant-diagnose-them-yet-vice
      13. ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/03/ce-corner-psychopathy
      14. ↑ https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychopathy-vs-sociopathy.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To check if someone is a psychopath, look for key characteristics that define psychopaths, like insincere charm, grandiose self-perception, rulebreaking, and impulsivity. For example, while a psychopath may have a history of juvenile delinquency, they can easily put on a “mask” of normality and seem like a model citizen. A psychopath also lacks a conscience, so they won’t feel bad about hurting people to get what they want. Likewise, check to see if the person expresses genuine guilt when they’ve wronged someone, since a psychopath will usually pretend to feel guilty until the victim consoles them instead. For more help from our Mental Health co-author, like how to identify a psychopath based on their relationships, scroll down.

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