To think most people have psychopathic tendencies?

[BatShite]

I was reading about a scientist who found out he had the 'brain imaging pattern of a psychopath' which mentioned this Hare Psychopathy test. So I searched for the test that was mentioned.

uk.businessinsider.com/hare-psychopath-checklist-test-sociopath-2016-11/#1-do-you-have-excess-glibness-or-superficial-charm-1

I score 35 on this. Obviously not all people who would be diagnosed psychopaths go onto kill or anything, but its still a bit concerning scoring so highly (though it is true that I have huge issues with empathy and always have done). But then I thought, surely a lot these apply to most people?! So lets find out I guess.

This explains the typical results for people

www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hare-Psychopathy-Checklist.html

When properly completed by a qualified professional, the PCL-R provides a total score that indicates how closely the test subject matches the "perfect" score that a classic or prototypical psychopath would rate. Each of the twenty items is given a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well it applies to the subject being tested. A prototypical psychopath would receive a maximum score of 40, while someone with absolutely no psychopathic traits or tendencies would receive a score of zero. A score of 30 or above qualifies a person for a diagnosis of psychopathy. People with no criminal backgrounds normally score around 5. Many non-psychopathic criminal offenders score around 22.

[christmasrage]

I only got 4. I've read that a good upbringing allows psychopaths to successfully fit in to society, and follow the rules because it is expedient.

[BSintolerant]

Kevin Dutton has written some interesting material about psychopaths and how psychopathy operates on a spectrum. You've got a range of nasty creatures like Ted Bundy to neurosurgeons who need to switch off their feelings and focus when they're rummaging around in your skull. I know who I'd rather have carving me up.

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I've done one of these before and came out firmly in normal. Don't they start out with things where you think 'ooh, this could be anyone' - things like 'I sometimes lie to get my own way' - but then quite quickly move onto questions about actual crimes you have committed, at which point the numbers nodding along surely quickly drop?

[Nikephorus]

I scored 4!

[Neverender]

I scored 3!

[BatShite]

i imagine psychopaths might lie

Well yes, if doing them to be diagnosed or something. I am fairly sure if I was asked these questions in an official capacity I would not be admitting to most of them

[BatShite]

I've read that a good upbringing allows psychopaths to successfully fit in to society, and follow the rules because it is expedient.

Yes this makes sense. I mean, I mentioned my issues with empathy in the OP. BUT I know how to mask this and 'act' normal when it comes to stuff like that. Which is definitely learnt behaviour, from observing my siblings and parents growing up. I know what I am supposed to be upset about and such. I know when to express sadness. But I don't really...feel it. If that makes sense. I act out a totally different person to what I feel. I don't tend to feel anything at all, to be completely honest. Kind of like a robot acting out the part of a human

Again though, I thought this was quite 'normal'. I thought people go OTT in their acts of empathy, grief and such. I have never felt grief. Ever. And I have had family members dying a lot. Maybe this will be different when its my parent or a sibling. But I was extremely close to my grandmother (infact she pretty much brought me up) and I did not feel sad as such when she died. I put on the face, and forced myself to cry as I knew it was expected, but I never ever grieved. I know that makes me sound horrendous though.

[nocoolnamesleft]

1. It's you. Sorry.

[nocoolnamesleft]

Oops, crossposted there.

[BatShite]

I don't tend to feel anything at all

Is actually a huge lie. As soon as I pressed post I wanted to correct this. One emotion I feel in droves is anger.

[BatShite]

So mostly 3 and 4. Oh dear. So I was definitely wrong in thinking most of them apply to most people.

[runrudolphrun]

I scored 20. Some of the questions are quite subjective, so even someone who wasn't deliberately trying to lie might not judge themselves in the same way others might. I have quite a history of delinquency and some criminal behaviour, but I've never been caught so most people would have no idea.

[ImCatbug]

I got 24, which is interesting as I thought it would be higher. I’m not a psychopath, as far as I know, but I have a number of mental health issues which mean I have many of the behaviours that would be viewed as psychopathic (lack of empathy and guilt, poor impulse control).

[Auvergne]

I have wondered quite a lot if I am either a sociopath or a psychopath. It worries me that I might be.

I took the test above and was honest and came out with 20, which is something of a relief.

[DonnyAndVladSittingInATree]

I scored 2. But maybe I lied...

[CupcakeEater]

I got 4 which is lower than I thought it would be!

[ChaChaChaCh4nges]

I’m around the 8 mark.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

There are plenty of 'good' psychopaths. Brain surgeons, racing drivers, any job where you essentially need to not empathize to be good at it.

I score very low and it can be a pain at times. We need people who score high on psychopathy when all us high empathy scorers are blubbing in corners and discussing feelings.

There's plenty you can do to work on your anger.

[WazFlimFlam]

It's you OP. The fact is our society is quite geared towards rewarding psychopaths, which is why you haven't had a particularly hard time of it.

[Janetsadick]

I can’t see where the actual test is?!

[TheCatOfAthenry]

It's nonspecific. I got 11. Loads of those criteria would be met by ADHD, EUPD, ASD or even plain old being human.

(I'm a psychiatrist, if that makes people disrespect or respect my opinion any differently. )

[Quartz2208]

Nope I score 3 I think I’m afraid it’s accurate particularly given your description

[Janetsadick]

Ok found it.

I scored 11. But some of them were on the cusp of 0/1