7 Characteristics of the Modern Psychopath.

Posted on by

hannibal

Below is a link to a really good and informative article from Psychology Today about sociopaths and psychopaths,* and the devastation and misery they leave in their wake, both in personal or familial relationships, and on a much larger, societal level.

This article explains how to detect them.   While only 4 percent of the population suffers from Antisocial Personality Disorder (sociopathy and psychopathy) , a larger portion (up to 15%) are situational sociopaths or psychopaths.   This is explained in more depth in the article.

A malignant narcissist is a person with both Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder.    This combination of personality disorders is especially devastating because of the already conscienceless person’s insatiable need for adulation and approval.  When narcissistic supply is abundant, instead of satiating the person and making them act more pleasant, as you might think, they become “drunk” on the ego “fuel.”  This phenomenon is evident in Donald Trump, who, feeling victorious and vindicated after the Barr’s summary of the Mueller Report stated he did not collude with Russia to win the election,  became “drunk on power” and his cruelty, gaslighting, lies, and unreasonable demands actually got worse.

7 Characteristics of the Modern Psychopath

*A small percentage of psychopaths (not sociopaths) choose to be prosocial instead of antisocial.  Psychopathy, unlike sociopathy, is a condition a person is born with, in which the parts of the brain concerned with conscience are missing.  Psychopaths can cognitively learn the difference between right and wrong, so they can choose to do the right thing (even if the motive for making that choice is always self serving).   It’s not second nature to them but they may make that choice if they have learned it benefits them the most.   In contrast, sociopathy is an acquired condition associated with malignant narcissism or antisocial personality disorder, and such a person will never choose prosocial behavior and in fact aren’t capable of doing so.

7 thoughts on “7 Characteristics of the Modern Psychopath.”

  1. That’s an excellent article. The explanation of situational sociopaths or psychopaths is important as that shows up so very often when bigotry and demonization are in play. Perhaps, we would do well to some form of _____path for the usual _____phobe (as in homophobe, zenophobe, etc.).

    Liked by 1 person

    • It certainly explains many of the sycophants and supporters who seem like otherwise good people, or who suddenly fell in line behind Trump after seeming to feel otherwise (Lindsay Graham, for example)

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Pingback: 7 Characteristics of the Modern Psychopath. | Fox&Co. Mental Health

      • I would suggest you read some of my blogs as its not something I can answer in full in this box. I am not in therapy. I can say that the encounters I have had with NHS services are mind bogglingly weird. I do not suppose the general public would be to impressed either. They did not even diagnose me to my face.

        Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.