How common are psychopaths?

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 8,512

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  05/06/12 - 16:55 #2

  I think I've known a few. That friend most of us have who causes chaos for others, is only concerned with themselves, who never shows empathy and who reacts terribly badly if in anyway criticised, is probably at the lower end of being a psychopath.

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• spiney2 Posts: 27,058

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  05/06/12 - 16:56 #3

  psychopaths are usually very refined. think hannibal lecter ......

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 14,920

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  05/06/12 - 17:06 #4

  I work with one. No friends. Routinely has confrontations with other people who are "in his way". Describes everyone in terms of their perceived class and how they don't react appropriately to his class. Mainly because he comes across as a nutter. Obsessive about everything he does.
  
  We're just waiting for him to go over the edge.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 9,845

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  05/06/12 - 17:06 #5

  1 in 25, it's estimated. Most psychopaths aren't criminals, and are no more likely to be 'refined' or intelligent than non-psychopaths (so no, *don't* think Hannibal Lecter).

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• goldielox Posts: 8,425

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  05/06/12 - 17:10 #6

  Ginger Nut wrote: »

  I work with one. No friends. Routinely has confrontations with other people who are "in his way". Describes everyone in terms of their perceived class and how they don't react appropriately to his class. Mainly because he comes across as a nutter. Obsessive about everything he does.
  
  We're just waiting for him to go over the edge.

  
  narcissist more than psychopath perhaps?

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• AnnaliseZ Posts: 3,912

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  05/06/12 - 17:14 #7

  goldielox wrote: »

  narcissist more than psychopath perhaps?

  
  Or just obsessive and angry. A psychopath isn't just someone who comes across as a nutter or a misfit - if anything it would seem that they're not always that immediately obvious at all.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 8,156

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  05/06/12 - 17:15 #8

  CEOs tend to have psychopathic tendencies, so quite common.

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• .Lauren. Posts: 7,864

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  05/06/12 - 17:15 #9

  I have met several. Problem with them is unless you know what to look for, you're unlikely to know you're in the company of one.

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• skazza Posts: 4,983

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  05/06/12 - 17:48 #10

  Skolastyka wrote: »

  1 in 25, it's estimated. Most psychopaths aren't criminals, and are no more likely to be 'refined' or intelligent than non-psychopaths (so no, *don't* think Hannibal Lecter).

  
  That figure is way too high. Where did you get it?

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• teresagreen Posts: 16,444

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  05/06/12 - 17:56 #11

  I would say they are a lot more common than is recognised, but because they don't all kill people in horrific ways they go under the radar.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 11,139

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  05/06/12 - 17:57 #12

  AnnaliseZ wrote: »

  What is very disturbing about psychopaths, besides their sense of special entitlement, is the complete lack of empathy for normal people, for "antisocials (psychopaths) seem to lack a conscience, feeling little or no empathy for the people whose lives they touch...the antisocial effortlessly resists all regulation, unable to see beyond his self-interest or to adopt standards of right versus wrong." [Black, XIII].
  
  So bearing in mind that a psychopath need not necessarily be violent, do you think they are more common than we realise? Have you ever known one? And I suppose more importantly do you have any insights as to why they were this way?

  
  I knew one guy like that. I've spoken about him on here before I think. He seemed 'normal' if a little non-conformist at first but as I got closer to him it was just like...his mind did not work like anyone else's. It was really jarring. The best I can explain it, it was like he didn't see other people as being as real as himself.

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• kim1994 Posts: 7,332

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  05/06/12 - 18:00 #13

  Figures are estimated about 1% of the population so I guess we all know or have known someone who is a psychopath. I can think of two people in my workplace that fit the profile

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• blueblade Posts: 88,859

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  05/06/12 - 18:01 #14

  Much more common than most people think.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 5,692

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  05/06/12 - 18:02 #15

  There's quite a few on the A4.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 14,920

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  05/06/12 - 18:05 #16

  goldielox wrote: »

  narcissist more than psychopath perhaps?

  AnnaliseZ wrote: »

  Or just obsessive and angry. A psychopath isn't just someone who comes across as a nutter or a misfit - if anything it would seem that they're not always that immediately obvious at all.

  
  Yes, maybe you're right in retrospect. The anger and the wound-upness(made up word alert) pour off the guy to the extent that you can feel it when he arrives.
  
  It's widely accepted that the extreme levels of exercise he does is just about enough to stop him toppling into going postal in the office.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 9,845

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  05/06/12 - 18:50 #17

  skazza wrote: »

  That figure is way too high. Where did you get it?

  
  From 'Without Conscience' by Hare. I think Martha Stout has claimed it too.
  
  *edit* just checked my sources - that's the figure claimed by Stout. According to Hare there are at least 2 million in North America.

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• johnnybgoode83 Posts: 8,908

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  05/06/12 - 18:52 #18

  More common than psychotic people, thank God.

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• neelia Posts: 24,186

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  05/06/12 - 18:57 #19

  teresagreen wrote: »

  I would say they are a lot more common than is recognised, but because they don't all kill people in horrific ways they go under the radar.

  
  Just popped in to make this point.

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• Alt-F4 Posts: 10,960

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  05/06/12 - 18:57 #20

  There's one every 4.35 sq miles in the UK. Look out for lorry drivers and middle aged builders wearing curly wigs.

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• AnnaliseZ Posts: 3,912

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  05/06/12 - 19:03 #21

  Alt-F4 wrote: »

  There's one every 4.35 sq miles in the UK. Look out for lorry drivers and middle aged builders wearing curly wigs.

  
  You've seen 'Duel' too many times.

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• yappy Posts: 6,310

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  05/06/12 - 19:17 #22

  i want to meet one

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• koantemplation Posts: 101,293

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  05/06/12 - 19:18 #23

  Some psychopaths are very common but you can get posh psychopaths too.

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• AnnaliseZ Posts: 3,912

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  05/06/12 - 19:23 #24

  koantemplation wrote: »

  Some psychopaths are very common but you can get posh psychopaths too.

  
  eg - Ted Bundy. Good-looking (not my taste but anyway), charismatic, educated and pursuing a successful legal and political career.

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• bobcar Posts: 19,424

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  05/06/12 - 19:28 #25

  Some of them are quite posh.

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• Steve35 Posts: 2,468

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  05/06/12 - 19:37 #26

  AnnaliseZ wrote: »

  What is very disturbing about psychopaths, besides their sense of special entitlement, is the complete lack of empathy for normal people, for "antisocials (psychopaths) seem to lack a conscience, feeling little or no empathy for the people whose lives they touch...the antisocial effortlessly resists all regulation, unable to see beyond his self-interest or to adopt standards of right versus wrong." [Black, XIII].
  
  So bearing in mind that a psychopath need not necessarily be violent, do you think they are more common than we realise? Have you ever known one? And I suppose more importantly do you have any insights as to why they were this way?

  
  More common than you think:D:D:D:D

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