...Who is a Sociopath? Tianny C Salazar Iona College Who Is A Sociopath? “Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others” (National Library of Medicine, 1999). This is commonly resulting in criminal behavior. When we hear the word sociopath or psychopath we automatically register the names of Ted Bundy or that of Charles Manson, who were both American criminals and murderers. However they could actually be our friends, neighbors, or even family. Some of the popular representations of a sociopath can be conflicting, ranging from uncommonly impulsive and violent criminal offenders to corporate figures who callously and skillfully maneuver their way to the highest rungs of the social ladder. (Lykken, 1957) Many people argue that sociopaths are born sociopathic rather than molded into one. Who is what many doctors and criminologist call a sociopath? A sociopath is a person with a personality disorder, manifesting in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior. Sociopaths are sometimes referred to as a psychopath. Doctors argue whether there is really a difference between the two and many support the notion that there in fact is separate identifying traits. A lack of conscience can be seen through a sociopath’s behavior which includes their lack of remorse for others or their actions. In The Sociopath Next Door, Stout (2005) states that at least four...
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...In the article confessions of a sociopath, the term sociopath has been redefined for me. The author shows herself as a sociopath, but not how the world would describe one. She claims that she fits the description of a sociopath, but doesn't act on some of the normal characteristics of one who suffers from being a sociopath. She is a successful lawyer, and even a sunday school teacher, but still self proclaims herself as a sociopath. Inside her she grows to manipulate and outsmart the people around her that she can so dearly care for. She states that she has never killed anyone, but has felt the urge to take someone's life. I have found it interesting that someone would not have a problem making these claims about themselves. The author states...
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...Sociopaths are people with no remorse. In this article a girl talks about being a sociopath and how not everyone that is on isn’t a serial killer or can cause physical harm. In her experience she begins with her childhood when she was beating up a girl and didn’t even realize that was a wrong thing to do. Even though the dad of that daughter told her not to do that she still didn’t understand. She used people for getting what she wanted and was still friendly enough that people didn’t realize there was anything different about her. Her family wasn’t necessarily mean to her and she wasn’t abused as a child but she hated her dad. He would not make enough money for their family to eat and the money he made he spent it on activities and hobbies...
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...Sociopaths For my final paper I am going to talk about how Sociopaths Brain works, also the procedure of diagnosing someone as a sociopath. So whats your definition of a sociopath? Crazy? Can hide emotions well? These are the stereotypical ideas of what a sociopath is but can we really predict if someone is a sociopath by just talking to them? Well first off, the correct definition of a sociopath is a person with a personality manifesting itself in extreme antisocial, or not wanting the company of others, attitudes, behavior, and lack of conscience. They have different personalities, they are very charismatic to others and most importantly the do not feel remorse. All these characteristics that make up a Sociopath could easily be mistaken...
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...Devoid of Empathy The Sociopath, often referred to as a Psychopath or as one having an anti-social personality sickness is a callous, remorseless, self-established man or woman. However these with this sickness aren't insane-they are completely conscious of what they're doing and what the consequences of their movements might be. They make their choices rationally, no longer out of delusion. Sociopaths lack what's referred to as the affective part of empathy meaning that they are mindful of how the other person is feeling or what they are thinking but they easily do not care. As they see it, folks are just objects to use for their possess gratification. They're manipulative and ruthless predators who most likely pick those people who are...
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...We were once nasty little sociopaths of 10 to 12 years old, who lay in ambush and hurled rocks at friends in the name of fun. One day in the midst of battle I flanked a boy with yellow teeth and side armed a perfect strike at his head. I knew I’d nailed him the instant the rock left my fingers. The missile struck him in the temple and blood gushed through his fingers. I fled in horror and the war was over. I secretly though, cherished a certain involuntary glow of pleasure at the perfect bulls eye I’d thrown. What if we had used automatic rifles; would we have used them? Our violent imaginations were in business for themselves, loose in the woods. We had not signed the Geneva Convention. We did not desire blood. Our fun lay in a self-obliterating...
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...“The winged Satan in my mind’s eye, roaring with cynical laughter and rising from the wreckage, was not a terrorist, but a demonic manipulator who used terrorist’s acts to ignite the kindling of hatred all over the globe”. According to the author, Martha Stout, Ph.D., the sociopath is an individual who uses manipulation, demonic manipulation, to gain power over others with no conscience or guilt. They are mentally ill psychopaths; these individuals lack the ability to form emotional bonds with other people. They are reckless! Our society is based on relationships and bonding. We are social beings and this is true all the way back to our primate ancestors. Sociopaths are undetectable; they are next-door neighbors, teachers, employers, co-workers, and so on. They undistinguishable except for the common characteristics as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV of the American Psychiatric Association....
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...Is cheating and murder analogous? Is it the adrenaline rush of possibly getting caught? Maybe it’s like a drug once you start it you can’t stop. The legal definition of a serial killer is someone who has killed at least three people in a matter of thirty days. All serial killers are psychopaths and sociopaths, but be that as it may not all sociopaths and psychopaths are killers. To know a killer we have to get into the mindset of one. Nevertheless, the question that still stands is what makes a serial killer? The dictionary definition of a serial killer is a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and typically following a characteristic, predictable pattern (Oxford). What is a sociopath? A sociopath is a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience ( Dictionary). What is a psychopath? A psychopath is a person with a psychopathic personality, which manifests as amoral and antisocial behavior, lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships, extreme egocentricity, failure to learn from experience, etc (Dictionary)....
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...The Sociopath Next Door Author: Martha Stout Book Review By: Nicole Hanks April 8, 2013 “1 in 25 ordinary Americans secretly has no conscience and can do anything at all without feeling guilty. Who is the devil you know?” “A chilling accurate portrayal of evil—the decent person’s guide to indecency.” Jonathan Kellerman If a sociopath lives next door, don't go over for coffee. In fact, don't admit to them that you drink coffee, don't talk to them, and for the love of all that's holy, don't ever ask if you can borrow a cup of sugar. Not even if you're baking a cake that is guaranteed to find you true love, a promotion, and give you the winning lotto numbers. Do not make nice with a sociopath. Or so you'll think after reading Martha Stout's book. The Sociopath Next Door is an intriguing look at these devious, tricky people who live a life without a conscience. She describes the sociopath as a person who doesn't have guilt or remorse, or a sense of conscience. Literally they have no conscience. Their minds are such that the sociopath is free to run among us in the world, doing what they like without feeling bad or upset. They don't lie awake at night, wishing they could take back a nasty remark. They don't bite back and keep from saying nasty things to the clerk at Blockbuster when asked to check their backpacks at the store. If they say something awful, they're not going to feel sorry for it. That really seems to be the gist of sociopath, the total lack of remorse or regard...
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...Andersen is merely a freelance author of two books and a creator of the website “Lovefraud.com.” She was wooed by a sociopath and married him. She catalogued all the information she discovered about sociopaths from her own experiences, and those of other people, and then wrote a guide to tell if you’re dating, married to, or interested in a sociopath. This book is all about the concept of “love fraud” and the people who commit it, named sociopaths. The contents of this book are firsthand stories of people who were with a sociopath. The author was married to one for years and she tells her story as well. This book also gives the “Red Flags” of Love fraud which are Charisma and charm, Sudden soul mates, Sexual magnetism, Love bombing, Blames others for everything, Lies and gaps in the story, Intense eye contact, Moves fast to hook up, Pity play, and Jekyll and Hyde personality. This book also lists the traits of a sociopath being: Lying, Exploitation, Entitlement, Shallow emotions, Dominance, Irresponsibility, Need for Excitement, and Antisocial behavior. This book also lists those who a vulnerable to being preyed upon by a sociopath. Those who are Wounded, Need love, Lonely, Empathetic, Low self-esteem, Want a relationship, Trusting, Need assistance, Single parent, and those who are in Grief are all vulnerable to sociopaths. Being in a relationship with a sociopath is dangerous. They appear sweet and perfect, but in reality, they can give one health issues, financial and property...
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...Characteristic Traits among Genders: The Sociopath and Psychopath by Evelyn J. Dotson MS, University of Phoenix, 2015 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Psychology University of Phoenix March, 2015 Abstract Psychopathic and sociopathic general characteristic traits are found in both genders in various populations. More research on the general characteristic traits of females is needed. Research for the female populations will give professionals information about the differences displayed between genders. Different applied sciences will also further their knowledge in treatment options for either tendency. The study used explored if any differences existed between genders with intensified levels of psychopathic traits in regard to psychopathy factor scores. The sample consisted of 2,500 people of both genders (52.6% women) (M=22.15; SD=1.38) from the generalized population, aged 20-24. Results displayed women with psychopathic personality traits had significantly higher levels of behavioral tendencies than men of the same. The genders did display a difference in aggressive behavior. The men showed a significant amount of aggressive behaviors compared to the women. The gender differences displayed in the seven psychopathic features show the variations needed for treatment options. Differences and Similarities in Generalized Characteristic Traits among Genders: The Sociopath and Psychopath by Evelyn J. Dotson ...
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...Cleckley (1941), who is known as the first person to describe the condition in detail. Anyone fitting enough of these criteria counts as a psychopath or sociopath. There are several such lists in use. The most commonly used is called the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R), developed by Robert Hare and his colleagues. An alternative version was developed in 1996 by Lilienfeld and Andrews, called the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI). The book that psychologists and psychiatrists use to categorize and diagnose mental illness, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM IV) contains a category for something called “antisocial personality disorder” (APD), while the World Health Organization delineates a similar category it calls "dissocial personality disorder." These are much broader categories than that of psychopathy. The category of psychopath is seen as included within this category but considerably smaller so that only roughly 1 in 5 people with APD are a psychopath (Kiehl and Buckholtz, 2010)." Sociopaths are almost identical to psychopaths, except that sociopaths aren’t born with a predisposition to be killers. What makes them turn into sociopaths is the environment the are surrounded by. For example many children that suffered from abuse or a bad upbringing. Both psychopaths and sociopaths can have traits that are similar to traits in other disorders such as antisocial disorder, which is very much linked with sociopathy, or Multiple personality...
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...attribution theory, when it comes to perception of the action, where the behavior is observed, the case got the attention of the media because Amy was famous for her parents’ children’s book series named Amazing Amy. Nick’s media appearances got the public misinterpreting his socially awkward, wary demeanor. The judgment of intention, the way he hesitantly smiled at the cameras rubbed off the wrong way, that his emotional responses weren’t normal for a man who just declared his wife missing. The media judged this as a telling signs of a sociopath. The attribution of the action, they connected his behavior to a sociopath therefore jumping to the conclusion that Nick might have killed his own wife. Spiral of silence was when he was plotting his next move. Internalizing all the things Amy hurled his way. He didn’t stand up for himself. He just let the media lashed out and tore his name apart. He didn’t protest when he was being called a sociopath, didn’t voice out how hard it was to be constantly hounded by the reporters and photographers. It affected his so much he started to isolate himself from everyone he knows, even his sister. But when he gave in talked to her again, it was clear why. He remained silent because the opposition is the view of the majority. He was afraid to be subjected to rejection and to be the butt of all the negative things, he was growing sick of being called and suspected as a murderer, so he thought it would be best to keep quiet. Social penetration...
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...America’s Society, many calling for gun control and higher security of school campuses. Dylan Klebold is perceived in the Columbine novel as a depressed, suicidal teen that followed Eric and was practically hypnotized under his influence. He would attempt to commit crimes with Eric, even though he had difficulty covering his tracks and lies when confronted about them, as demonstrated on page 200 of the novel, paragraph two, “Dylan was no good at deception. He kept getting caught. Eric did not. Tom Klebold noticed that Dylan had a new laptop. Eric could have weaseled out of that one without missing a beat-- it was a friend’s… he’d checked it out of the computer lab. Dylan just confessed. His dad made him turn himself in.” Dylan was a sociopath, between his violations of the law, lying(although not very convincing as demonstrated...
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...Compulsive Lying Is your husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend a compulsive/pathological liar or a sociopath? To begin with, it may help to understand the difference between a pathological or compulsive liar and a sociopath (see, types of liars). Ultimately, making this type of distinction may not be that useful. Because in either case, the outcome is typically the same: dealing with a compulsive or pathological liar is very difficult to do. And unfortunately, sociopaths cannot be changed (see, lovefraud). A compulsive liar will resort to telling lies, regardless of the situation. Again, everyone lies from time to time (see, when lovers lie), but for a compulsive liar, telling lies is routine. It becomes a habit - a way of life. Simply put, for a compulsive liar, lying becomes second nature. Not only do compulsive liars bend the truth about issues large and small, they take comfort in it. Lying feels right to a compulsive liar. Telling the truth, on the other hand, is difficult and uncomfortable. And like any behavior which provides comfort and an escape from discomfort (i.e., alcohol, drugs, sex), lying can become addictive and hard to stop. For the compulsive liar, lying feels safe and this fuels the desire to lie even more. Making matters even more complicated, compulsive lying is often a symptom of a much larger personality disorder, which only makes the problem more difficult to resolve (see, narcissistic personality disorder and borderline...
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