How to Spot a Sociopath 16 key behavioral characteristics that define sociopaths/psychopaths and others with antisocial disorders. By M.E. Thomas, published on May 7, 2013 - last reviewed on May 6, 2013 ● ● ● ● SHARE TWEET SHARE EMAIL Psychologists vie to enumerate the facets of sociopathy. Joseph Newman argues that the sociopath has an attention bottleneck that allows him to focus only on one activity or train of thought, to the exclusion of others. Researchers, including Howard Kamler, say that the sociopath lacks not "moral" identity but self-identity altogether. Yet nowhere do I recognize myself more than in Hervey Cleckley's clinical profiles. In The Mask of Sanity, published in 1941, Cleckley distilled what he believed to be the 16 key behavioral characteristics that defined psychopathy. Most of these factors are still used today to diagnose sociopaths/psychopaths and others with antisocial disorders. (Psychopathy and sociopathy are terms with an intertwined clinical history, and they are now largely used interchangeably. The DSM excludes both, in favor of antisocial personality disorder.) ● Superficial charm and good intelligence ● Absence of delusions and other signs of irrational thinking ● Absence of nervousness or neurotic manifestations ● Unreliability ● Untruthfulness and insincerity ● Lack of remorse and shame ● Inadequately motivated antisocial behavior ● Poor judgment and failure to learn by experience ● Pathologic egocentricity and incapacity for love ● General poverty in major affective reactions ● Specific loss of insight ● Unresponsiveness in general interpersonal relations ● Fantastic and uninviting behavior with alcohol and sometimes without ● Suicide threats rarely carried out ● Sex life impersonal, trivial, and poorly integrated ● Failure to follow any life plan See also: Confessions of a Sociopath sociopath definition [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Enneagram Message Board ] [ FAQ ] Posted by Jimeny on May 24, 2000 at 09:58:01: A closer fit...draw your own conclusions folks Antisocial Personality Disorder is also known as psychopathy or sociopathy. Individuals with this disorder have little regard for the feeling and welfare of others. As a clinical diagnosis it is usually limited to those over age 18. It can be diagnosed in younger people if the they commit isolated antisocial acts and do not show signs of another mental disorder. Antisocial Personality Disorder is chronic, beginning in adolescence and continuing throughout adulthood. There are ten general symptoms: not learning from experience no sense of responsibility inability to form meaningful relationships inability to control impulses lack of moral sense chronically antisocial behavior no change in behavior after punishment emotional immaturity lack of guilt self-centeredness People with this disorder may exhibit criminal behavior. They may not work. If they do work, they are frequently absent or may quit suddenly. They do not consider other people's wishes, welfare or rights. They can be manipulative and may lie to gain personal pleasure or profit. They may default on loans, fail to provide child support, or fail to care for their dependents adequately. High risk sexual behavior and substance abuse are common. Impulsiveness, failure to plan ahead, aggressiveness, irritability, irresponsibility, and a reckless disregard for their own safety and the safety of others are traits of the antisocial personality. Socioeconomic status, gender, and genetic factors play a role. Males are more likely to be antisocial than females. Those from lower socioeconomic groups are more susceptible. A family history of the disorder puts one at higher risk. There are many theories about the cause of Antisocial Personality Disorder including experiencing neglectful parenting as a child, low levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and belief that antisocial behavior is justified because of difficult circumstances. Psychotherapy, group therapy, and family therapy are common treatments. The effects of medical treatment are inconclusive. Unfortunately, most people with Antisocial Personality Disorder reject treatment. Therefore, recovery rates are low.
