Psychopathy: An Important Forensic Concept for the 21st Century

Over the years, Hollywood has provided many examples of psychopaths. As a result, psychopaths
often are identified as scary people who look frightening or have other off-putting characteristics. In
reality, a psychopath can be anyone—a neighbor, coworker, or homeless person. Each of these
seemingly harmless people may prey continually on others around them.

The term psychopathy refers to a personality disorder that includes a cluster of interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial traits and behaviors.1 These involve deception; manipulation; irresponsibility; impulsivity; stimulation seeking; poor behavioral controls; shallow affect; lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse; sexual promiscuity; callous disregard for the rights of others; and unethical and antisocial behaviors.

Psychopathy is the most dangerous of the personality disorders. To understand it, one must know some fundamental principles about personality. Individuals’ personalities represent who they are; they result from genetics and upbringing and reflect how persons view the world and think the world views them. Personalities dictate how people interact with others and how they cope with problems, both real and imagined. Individuals’ personalities develop and evolve until approximately their late 20s, after which they are well-hardwired in place, unable to be altered.  (more...)

Psychopathy: An Important Forensic Concept for the 21st Century