What is a sociopath? and are there really people like this out there?

Question

What is a sociopath? and are there really people like this out there?

Answer 1

If you type the word 'Sociopath' into the box above, 'Search for questions', you'll find over 1 THOUSAND 500 times questions re Sociopaths have been asked ....giving you a heap of reading to go through.

Sash.

Answer 2

Senor Paco Chalupe,

Based on that description , does the term 'sociopath' apply to some of our current politicians? Somehow, I see a strong correlation..

Answer 3

Profile of the Sociopath:

# Glibness and Superficial Charm

# Manipulative and Conning

They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

# Grandiose Sense of Self

Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

# Pathological Lying

Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

# Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt

A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

# Shallow Emotions

When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

# Incapacity for Love

# Need for Stimulation

Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.

# Callousness/Lack of Empathy

Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.

# Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature

Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.

# Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency

Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

# Irresponsibility/Unreliability

Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.

# Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity

Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.

# Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle

Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.

# Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility

Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

Other Related Qualities:

   1. Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them

   2. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them

   3. Authoritarian

   4. Secretive

   5. Paranoid

   6. Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired

   7. Conventional appearance

   8. Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)

   9. Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life

  10. Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)

  11. Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim

  12. Incapable of real human attachment to another

  13. Unable to feel remorse or guilt

  14. Extreme narcissism and grandiose

  15. May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

You probably already guessed that that is not my own answer got it off http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html but yeah I've commonly heard sociopaths referred to as people with a mental disorder that I guess you could say it's like being extremely self-centered. But it's more like the only one in the entire world that truly matters are themselves and everyone else is some sort of pawn. There are many degrees of this disorder though, and it doesn't mean that they're evil. I think they're commonly portrayed as emotion-less, conscience-less, murdering shells of people in movies and television and stuff like that.

Answer 4

You wanna know a secret? I never told anyone before, I dated a sociopath who was on the severe scale before.

He wanted a gorgeous slave who did his bidding no matter what, waited on him hand and foot, and worshiped the ground he walking on and agreed with everthing he said, and did any and all work, while he sat around and did drugs.

He was abusive when I didnt give him his way, he was lazy but blamed everything on me, He tried to tell me how to dress even though he liked how I looked before we where together, he thought all women where inferior and enjoyed humilating me, He thought I should be his slave, but I got out of that, I did all the work, and all the cooking. He had no depth or perception of love for another living being unless they did something for him. He bragged about his lying and stealing and fighting. He thought the government owed him. This is the truth take it as you will.

Answer 5

Senor Paco Chalupe is on the mark.

And yes there's a lot of people like that out there. Just think of all those serial killers we all know and love.

Answer 6

yes it is.it means super crease

Answer 7

Yes, there are really people like sociopaths out there.

No, they do not all have a history of violence or criminal records. A lot of people have that misconception, as displayed in 1 or 2 answers everytime this question is asked.

There's a growing number of psychologists who do not feel it is a disorder, but rather a personality type. This would explain why there is no known therapy or medication that works in "treating" sociopathy.

You already have the mental health description in the first post, so I'll give you an example from the real world.

A sociopath is someone who, as a child, hoped that their parents would die because if they did, that child would get to live with their more entertaining uncle. It's not that the parents were bad parents or the child is neglected, there is simply no emotional attachment to them on the child's end.

It isn't that they are emotionless, it is that they have no emotional connection to other people. To a sociopath, people are more like a toy or a tool. It can be fun to be around, it can be entertaining, or it can help them get something they want. However if the person is none of those things, and they can do nothing for the sociopath, they are essentially useless and cast aside. And even if they are *all* of those things, they can still be cast aside without a second thought if the mood strikes the sociopath. Basically people are disposable.

(disposable as in throwing something away when it's no longer beneficial or enjoyable to keep around)

mai.dinh, yes there are sociopath politicians. There are also many sociopath CEO's. Their charm and ability to make decisions without emotional conflicts allows them to be successful in several fields. Just don't expect them to run a good day care, hehe.