What Is a Psychopath? Definition & Traits

Common Traits of Psychopaths

Psychopathic traits can vary significantly between individuals, both in type and severity. The presence of a psychopathic trait alone does not necessarily indicate that someone is a psychopath. Many people may exhibit mild forms of these traits without meeting the criteria for psychopathy. It is the intensity and combination of these traits that typically define psychopathy.

Common psychopathic traits include:

• Antisocial behavior
• Narcissism
• Lack of empathy
• Charming
• Unremorseful
• Impulsive
• Manipulative
• Egotistical
• Belief they are “special”
• Fearless
• Unconcerned about consequences of their actions
• Absence of a conscience
• Inability to form intimate relationships
• Above average intelligence
• Lacking in judgment

Signs of a Psychopath

A psychopath has the ability to go undetected for long periods, which allows them to create more damage and chaos in their environment. Psychopaths may seem interesting, mysterious, and oddly compelling at first. The signs of psychopathy will change over time as others gain a more complete understanding of their life and goals. Initially, they may appear good-natured or misunderstood, but as time progresses, their facade begins to crumble.

Below are common signs of a psychopath:²

Disregard for Others’ Rights & Feelings

Psychopaths exhibit a profound lack of empathy and disregard for the needs and rights of others. They are indifferent to how their actions affect those around them, focusing solely on their own selfish desires. This absence of concern often leads to behaviors that cause significant harm, yet the perpetrator remains entirely unbothered by the consequences of their actions.

Behaving in Ways That Conflict With Social Norms

Social norms are important to most people as acceptance and belonging are highly valued. However, psychopaths will act in their own best interests at all costs with no regard for social mores or cultural expectations. Social standing and others’ opinions are of no importance to a psychopath.

Frequently Lying for Personal Pleasure or Profit

While many people want to trust others and assume the best, psychopathic individuals cannot be trusted. They readily lie to others in their efforts to achieve their aims. They experience no regret or shame about their falsehoods. They lie to people who consider them a friend as well as those in positions of authority.

Impulsivity & an Inability to Plan Ahead

Many psychopathic individuals exhibit extreme behaviors and hazardous actions that seem to defy logic. This impulsivity reflections the tendency of them to act without planning or thinking, with no regard for consequences. They take risks that exhibit an absence of concern for others’ well-being as well as for the legal system.

Irresponsibility & Failure to Fulfill Obligations

While psychopaths can be surprisingly amiable or charming, they make promises that they may have no intention of living up to. They frequently fail to follow through with expected responsibilities or fail to meet expectations. They “talk a good game,” but lack follow through.

Lack of Remorse

Most people are brought up to take responsibility for their actions and to apologize when they make mistakes or harm others. Psychopaths do not take responsibility for their misdeeds. They also do not possess any regard for who they may hurt or the pain they may cause.

Inability to Determine Right From Wrong

When people do something wrong, they typically recognize that they have crossed a line as a result of their conscience reminding them of right and wrong. However, since psychopaths lack a conscience and are not concerned with rules or norms, ideas of “right and wrong” do not apply.

Intentional Manipulation of Others

Some people have strong powers of persuasion and are able to convince others to do what they want them to do. Psychopathic individuals take this to the extreme by using people as tools to get what they want. For them, other people are only valued when they can help accomplish the end goal.

Frequent Problems With the Law

Without a conscience and with no concern about the consequences of their behavior, psychopaths often experience problems with the law. Because laws and rules are frequently broken, law enforcement becomes involved. Due to the absence of concern about the costs of their actions, legal problems do not raise a high level of concern for these individuals.

Disregard for the Safety of Others

Just as psychopaths are unconcerned with risk or danger, they have no concern for the well-being of others. This results with people being consistently placed in harm’s way. Driven solely by their own immediate desires, psychopaths don’t have a second thought about anyone else.

Anger, Aggression, & Violence

Psychopaths are driven by a singular desire for getting their needs met through whatever means are available. Anger, aggression and violence are frequently selected tools to manipulate others. Anger can be intense when someone blocks their progress towards their goals and aggression may be used pre-emptively to eliminate existing barriers to their objectives.

Superficial Charm

It may seem counterintuitive, but psychopaths often possess a high level of charm and appeal. They are often charismatic in ways that others find attractive, which is a trait psychopaths use to their advantage. By easily gaining admirers, psychopaths draw people in and their targets become easy marks for them. Their charm is superficial and an effective tool of deceit.

Inherent Need for Excitement & Stimulation

Psychopathic individuals are not content with a “status quo” and boredom is not well-tolerated. Their impatience and desire for action motivates them to engage in behaviors that stir up drama and create chaos. While action and chaos become the norm for psychopaths, they take pleasure in intentionally planning the chaos watching the distress it causes as it unfolds.

Grandiose Sense of Self

Similar to narcissists, psychopaths have oversized egos. They believe themselves to be special and “on another level” compared to most people. They have total confidence in their ability to outsmart others. Coupled with the absence of shame, they engage in reckless and criminal behavior never anticipating that they could be apprehended by the law enforcement. Their unmatched conceit leaves them feeling untouchable.

Inability to Experience Emotions

One of the traits that makes psychopaths so dangerous is their inability to experience emotions. Any emotional expression tends to be superficially used as a tool of manipulation. Psychopathic individuals are extremely observant and can mimic appropriate emotional displays in order to prey on others. The inability to feel sadness, regret, shame, or genuine happiness, combined with a profound lack of empathy, often leads to deeply traumatizing harm inflicted on others.

“Mooching’ Off of Others

To satisfy their desires, psychopaths prefer to mooch off of others rather than put in effort themselves. They are adept manipulators with no scruples about taking advantage of people. In healthy relationships, there is a balanced give-and-take between people; however, psychopaths are incapable of meaningful relationships and have no interest in balancing out relationship dividends. They have no shame in using others until they have nothing left to give.

Psychopath Vs. Sociopath

While a psychopath might be more associated with antisocial personality disorder, a sociopath could be more linked to narcissistic personality disorder. These people think they are so amazing and use others to help accomplish their goals.

To be clear, the terms psychopath and sociopath are not ones used by mental health professionals as they do not represent a psychological condition. Because of this, determining if someone is a psychopath or sociopath can be open to debate.

Psychopathy in Men Vs. Women

Although it is often seen as a masculine trait, women can be considered psychopaths as well. The signs of a female psychopath may vary, but they will still manipulate others to get what they want without regard for others. At times, these actions may lead to a borderline personality disorder diagnosis due to expected gender roles.

Causes of Psychopathy

Like many mental health conditions, a combination of genetics and environment play a factor in dictating the emergence of psychopathy.¹ Previously, experts believed there were separate versions of the condition triggered by genetic issues or environmental experiences. As understanding progressed, the majority of experts agree that multiple factors contribute to psychopathy.

Some factors that increase the rates of psychopathy include:^{1, 2, 3}

• Having a close family member with psychopathy or antisocial personality disorder
• Low socioeconomic status
• Growing up in urban settings, which could be linked to feeling unsafe as a child
• Trauma linked to physical, verbal, or sexual abuse and neglect
• Poor academic success

Brain Differences in Psychopaths

Differences in brain functioning could contribute to psychopathy as well. Experts suggest that psychopaths may have a restricted response to fear, which makes them more willing to engage in dangerous or embarrassing situations. Others suggest that functional differences lead to a psychopath having deficits in their ability to recognize and respond to emotional and social cues.¹

Not only are functional differences apparent, but psychopaths may also have structural abnormalities in certain areas of the brain that could result in signs and symptoms of the condition.

Brain scans show differences in regions including:¹

• Prefrontal cortex
• Amygdala
• Hippocampus
• Temporal cortex

With these and other areas of the brain showing atypical structure, the person is more likely to exhibit signs like disinhibition, hostility, trouble monitoring conflict, and poor thought control.¹ These structural issues do well to illustrate just how ingrained and rigid the symptoms of psychopathy are.

Psychopaths & Violence

Not all psychopaths are violent, but many will show aggression and harmful acts against people or property. Some may start out by being only charming and charismatic before shifting to periods of anger, aggression, and violence. These periods may build up over time or arrive without prior warning. Psychopaths are not common among adults in the general population as only about 1% of adults meet the criteria for the label, but in the prison population, the numbers soar.¹

According to studies:¹

• About 20% of the prison population in North America is comprised of psychopaths
• Psychopaths are three times as likely to commit additional crimes than non-psychopaths
• Psychopaths are four times as likely to be violent during the additional crimes compared to others

In a sample of incarcerated people over an extended period of time, 77% of psychopaths committed a violent crime during a 10-year period. During a 20-year period, 90% of psychopaths committed violent crimes. Meanwhile, only about 40% of non-psychopaths engaged in these types of violent behaviors.¹

These acts of violence cover the entire spectrum of behaviors ranging from simple assaults to murder. Psychopaths could react impulsively and aggressively in the moment, or they could work to orchestrate an elaborate plan involving an act of terrorism. Violent psychopathic behavior can impact individuals, families, and entire communities.

How Is Psychopathy Diagnosed?

As mentioned, psychopathy is not a mental health condition, but its symptoms are linked to certain personality disorders, especially antisocial personality disorder. If someone displays enough characteristics for a personality disorder, a mental health professional or medical doctor could offer a diagnosis. If a mental health practitioner discusses a “psychopathy” diagnosis, you should be suspicious of their training and education.

Is There a Psychopath Test?

There is not one unified test that professionals use to determine someone’s status as a psychopath. Instead, there are several assessments and evaluations utilized in studies and clinical practice to quickly identify the characteristics and traits of a psychopath.

Below are some tests that may be used for identifying psychopath characteristics:

• Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R): The PCL-R is a 20-item inventory used to screen for qualities linked to psychopathy, including charm and manipulation.
• Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPL): A much longer, 154-item test that looks at a range of psychopathy that extends beyond antisocial and criminal behaviors.

Treatment of Psychopathy

Treatment of psychopathy can encounter many barriers including the person’s desire for change and believing that they are the problem in their relationships. Therapists treating psychopaths must understand the risks and benefits of treating these people while having proper expectations in mind.

Treatment options that may be beneficial when treating psychopathy include:⁵

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT draws on the notion that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Targeting unwanted thoughts and behaviors can improve a person’s feelings.
• Interpersonal therapy: Interpersonal therapy focuses on building healthy and reciprocal relationships with trusted supports through assertive communication skills and conflict resolution.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is based on CBT principles but places additional emphasis on interpersonal communication and emotional regulation.
• Mentalization-based therapy (MBT): Though originally designed for borderline personality disorder, MBT helps people to think about their thinking, goals, and beliefs to improve symptoms.
• Medications: There is no medication specifically recommended or prescribed for psychopathy. Rather than addressing the psychopathy directly, medications may be offered to address the co-occurring conditions that accompany psychopathy.

How to Deal With a Psychopath

A psychopath may not be easy to identify initially as their charm and charisma are appealing. But, learning how to spot a psychopath and practicing how to deal with them is essential.

Here are some tips for dealing with a psychopath:

• Alert necessary authorities: If there is a crime committed, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement.
• Limit contact: If you know someone is a psychopath, it could be best to simply stay away and avoid them as much as you can.
• Monitor their behavior: If you are not certain of their status, consider watching what they do for a short time to gather information.
• Encourage them to seek treatment: There is always hope that professional mental health treatment can improve symptoms. Encourage therapy and medication.
• Prioritize personal well-being: If being around this person is too painful or draining, balance your self-care and focus on your well-being.
• Know when to leave a relationship: If limiting and avoiding contact was not good enough, you may have to end the relationship completely. Be clear and direct while not being convinced that change will happen.