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What is a Psychopath?

A psychopath refers to a person with an antisocial personality, which is medically classified as 'antisocial personality disorder.'

Lacking conscience and goodwill, they tend to have skewed ways of thinking and behave differently compared to the general population.

It is estimated that 1% to several percent of the population are psychopaths, which means there could be about 1.2 million psychopaths in Japan.

In many studies, psychopathy is evaluated from two aspects: 'primary psychopathy,' which includes emotional traits like callousness and selfishness, and 'secondary psychopathy,' which involves behavioral traits such as impulsivity and deviant social behavior.

Characteristics of Psychopaths

Psychopaths exhibit the following characteristics:

Skilled in conversation
Appear charismatic
Attempt to manipulate others
Frequently lie
Prioritize outcomes
Lack conscience
Seek stimulation
Unscrupulous in methods
Resilient to pressure

Confident in themselves
Emotionally detached
Callous and unmerciful
Absence of guilt
Tend to boast
Incapable of empathy
Self-centered
Promiscuous
Unable to set long-term goals

Careers Suited for Psychopaths

Psychopaths, who can make quick decisions, often excel in jobs requiring decisiveness. Their fearless nature also makes them suitable for high-risk jobs. Suitable careers include:

CEO
Lawyer
Surgeon
Media Professional
Journalist
Police Officer

Salesperson
Politician
Finance Professional
Military Personnel
Clergy
Chef

Careers Unsuitable for Psychopaths

Due to their low empathy, psychopaths are unsuited for jobs requiring compassion and understanding of others. These include:

Nurse
Caregiver
Engineer
Therapist
Internist
Philanthropist

Artist
Teacher
Craftsman
Accountant
Hairstylist
Stylist

Q&A on Psychopathy

Q1. Are psychopaths highly intelligent?

A. It's a common misconception that psychopaths have high IQs, but they vary just like the general population. Some are intelligent, while others are not. They appear capable due to their quick decision-making and lack of hesitation in actions.

Q2. Can psychopaths understand others' emotions?

A. They can comprehend basic emotions like anger, joy, and surprise at a normal level, but struggle with understanding fear and sadness. However, psychopaths are adept at reading facial expressions to discern others' emotions, despite their lack of empathy.

Q3. What troubles psychopaths?

A. A 2015 study in China revealed that 'loneliness' is a major concern for psychopaths. Selfish behaviors lead to estrangement from others, and their fickle nature hinders forming long-term relationships.

Q4. How is the brain of a psychopath different from others?

A. Reduced activity in areas like the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex characterizes their brains. This leads to impulsive behavior and a lack of empathy for others.

Q5. Difference between psychopaths and sociopaths?

A. While both are classified as 'antisocial personality disorders' in psychiatry, psychopaths have innate brain structural differences leading to their antisocial behavior, whereas sociopaths' antisocial personalities develop from childhood experiences and environmental factors.

Q6. How to Identify a Psychopath by Appearance?

A. According to studies from Germany and Canada, men with wider facial width-to-height ratios tend to exhibit higher psychopathy or antisocial traits. This correlation may be related to higher levels of male hormones, which are associated with increased competitiveness and aggression. Research continues to explore the link between these hormonal effects and psychopathy.

Q7. What Are the Criteria for Diagnosing Psychopathy?

A. The diagnosis of psychopathy often involves the "Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)" and DSM-5 criteria. The PCL-R evaluates 20 items related to antisocial behavior and emotional deficits to quantify psychopathy. In contrast, the DSM-5 classifies it as "Antisocial Personality Disorder," focusing on persistent patterns of behavior that disregard social norms.