Psychopathic Tendencies
Psychopaths are (fortunately) quite rare in our society.
Studies estimate that about one in twenty people has psychopathic tendencies.
Score the questions as follows:
“true” = 2 points
“partially true” = 1 point
“false” = 0 points
- Are they charming, at least when things go well?
- Do they frequently manipulate people to get their own way?
- Do they become bored very easily?
- Are they cavalier with the truth?
- Do they come across as self-important?
- Do you suspect that they have no sense of shame or guilt?
- Are they unrealistic about long-term goals?
- Do they come across as belligerent?
- Does their temper flare easily?
- Are their emotions shallow and lacking in substance?
- Do they often do things on impulse?
- Are they quick to blame others for their mistakes?
- As teenagers, did they resent authority, play truant, or steal?
- Do they have difficulty sustaining relationships?
- Are they sexually promiscuous?
- Do they seem unable to empathise with others?
- Do they tend to be rash or irresponsible?
- Are they happy to sponge off others?
A score of 26 or above suggests psychopathic tendencies. This does not mean that they may come at you one day with a carving knife. It does, however, suggest that you are dealing with someone who may see you merely as a pawn.
You can expect to be manipulated, cheated, used and abused by this person.You can also expect to get nowhere in your attempts to change them. Drugs and counseling don’t seem to change them.
Anyone who is in a relationship with a psychopath (either at work or at home) is likely to find it a distressing experience.
Recent studies of murderers have identified (brain) structural and genetic indicators which seem to predispose these people to violent behaviour.
However, how they were raised as children had a major effect. Those with these indicators who suffered abuse as children often go on to become destructive psychopaths, whereas those who show the indicators but were raised in a caring nurturing environment tend not to.