deafghost52 wrote:
Yigeren wrote:
From your description, I don't think there's enough evidence to decide that this guy is a sociopath. Probably he's just a garden-variety @sshole.
Well, given the fact that you substituted "psychopath" with "sociopath" (which are actually, as I've recently read, two
completely different types of people), I'm not sure you understand what they are (and I'm not trying to be malicious, that's just what I think). I'd like to know - from your perspective, what would he have to do to constitute psychopathic behavior? Surely he wouldn't have to kill someone? Or maybe just rape them? Plan and execute a professional bank heist? Or perhaps subdue an entire population of people and commit crimes against humanity? Because I honestly think it could be something as simple as just being a "charming dick" to people who are weaker and less able to defend themselves than he is. Just as autism comprises a spectrum of behaviors and mental processes, so too does psychopathy in my mind (and they may even exist on the same spectrum of human behavior at two opposite ends, but I won't elaborate on that hypothesis, unless you'd like me to).
There is no such diagnosis as sociopathy or psychopathy at the moment. Those who may be thought of as "sociopaths" or "psychopaths" are considered to have antisocial personality disorder according to the DSM-5.
Clinicians have not come to a consensus as to whether there is even a difference between the terms "sociopath" and "psychopath" or what those differences may be.
These are the criteria that I found for antisocial personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder and some other disorders can mimic antisocial personality disorder. I don't think you have enough evidence to diagnose this person with any sort of personality disorder.
Quote:
DSM-5 Criteria - Antisocial Personality Disorder
The essential features of a personality disorder are impairments in personality (self and interpersonal) functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits. To diagnose antisocial personality disorder, the following criteria must be met:
A. Significant impairments in personality functioning manifest by:
1. Impairments in self functioning (a or b):
a. Identity: Ego-centrism; self-esteem derived from personal gain, power, or pleasure
b. Self-direction: Goal-setting based on personal gratification; absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behavior.
AND
2. Impairments in interpersonal functioning (a or b):
a. Empathy: Lack of concern for feelings, needs, or suffering of others; lack of remorse after hurting or mistreating another.
b. Intimacy: Incapacity for mutually intimate relationships, as exploitation is a primary means of relating to others, including by deceit and coercion; use of dominance or intimidation to control others.
B. Pathological personality traits in the following domains:
1. Antagonism, characterized by:
a. Manipulativeness: Frequent use of subterfuge to influence or control others; use of seduction, charm, glibness, or ingratiation to achieve one's ends.
b. Deceitfulness: Dishonesty and fraudulence; misrepresentation of self; embellishment or fabrication when relating events.
c. Callousness: Lack of concern for feelings or problems of others; lack of guilt or remorse about the negative or harmful effects of one's actions on others; aggression; sadism
d. Hostility: Persistent or frequent angry feelings; anger or irritability in response to minor slights and insults; mean, nasty, or vengeful behavior.
2. Disinhibition, characterized by:
a. Irresponsibility: Disregard for -- and failure to honor -- financial and other obligations or commitments; lack of respect for -- and lack of follow through on -- agreements and promises.
b. Impulsivity: Acting on the spur of the moment in response to immediate stimuli; acting on a momentary basis without a plan or consideration of outcomes; difficulty establishing and following plans.
c Risk taking: Engagement in dangerous, risky, and potentially self-damaging activities, unnecessarily and without regard for consequences; boredom proneness and thoughtless initiation of activities to counter boredom; lack of concern for one's limitations and denial of the reality of personal danger
C. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual's personality trait expression are relatively stable across time and consistent across situations.
D. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual's personality trait expression are not better understood as normative for the individual's developmental stage or socio-cultural environment.
E. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual's personality trait expression are not solely due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., severe head trauma).
F. The individual is at least age 18 years.
14 Mar 2016, 6:13 pm
