So what is a psychopath? Dr. John Hare, a Canadian psychiatrist has come up with a valuable list of characteristics that give them away. Hare defined psychopaths as “…predators who use charm, manipulation, intimidation, sex and violence to control others and satisfy their own selfish needs. Lacking in conscience and empathy, they take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without guilt or remorse. What is missing, in other words, are the very qualities that allow a human being to live in social harmony.”
Incidentally, the term sociopath is no more, being subsumed under the psychopath label. See the new DSM-V, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
link: http://www.dsm5.org/...
By all means, read “The Psychopath Test” (2011) Jon Ronson.
link: http://www.nytimes.com/...
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