Though experts warn against taking movie characters too seriously, here are the real signs of a psychopath.
The stereotype of a psychopath is usually someone who lacks empathy for ordinary people and engages in violent acts on a regular basis – think Patrick Bateman or Hannibal Lecter, for example.
However, this is not always the case.
Experts say there’s a lot more to being a “psychopath” than meets the eye, and it’s important to understand what type of person you’re dealing with.
What is a Psychopath?
Psychopathic stereotypes persist (Getty Stock Images)
According to the NHS, psychopaths typically suffer from a “severe antisocial personality disorder” and are “characterised by impulsive, irresponsible and often criminal behaviour”.
Experts from the non-profit organization PsychopathIs say: Classified The main characteristics of psychopaths can be categorized into three personality traits:
An unkind disposition
Those associated with “aggressive or antisocial behavior” are classified as having an “uncaring temperament.”
When someone behaves in a way that causes “physical, social, emotional, or economic harm” to others, it could be a sign of psychopathy.
Other worrying signs include:
- lie
- Lack of regret
- Not interested in achieving anything
- You do not have friends
- Looks cold
Boldness and social superiority
Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (Lionsgate Films)
Psychopaths tend to have “fearless, bold, and controlling personalities” and often pose “physical, social, economic, or legal risks.”
They are also thought to be thrill seekers and appear to be very “overconfident or arrogant.”
Unrestrained behavior
This third characteristic is not as surprising as the other two.
According to the charity, people who are “impulsive, spontaneous or unplanned” could be psychopaths, which is a bit worrying.
Someone who doesn’t plan ahead and who “gets bored or irritated more easily than others their age” is an example of an uninhibited person.
So what is the most accurate portrayal of a psychopath in film?
To find the answer, Belgian psychiatry professor Samuel Leystedt took 10 friends to watch 400 films spanning the years 1915 to 2010.
The aim was to create a shortlist of 126 psychopathic characters in order to narrow down the list of those who most closely resembled psychopaths.
Hannibal Lecter is arguably the most notorious portrayal of a psychopath. (Orion Pictures)
In their research, American Psycho With Patrick Bateman Silence of the Lambs’ The description of Hannibal Lecter was inaccurate.
But there were some notable expectations: Javier Bardem’s character, Anton Chigurh, No Country for Old Men It’s said to be one of the most accurate descriptions of a psychopathy.
“He appears virtually invincible, resistant to any emotion or humanity,” they wrote.
The two honorable mentions are for Peter Lorre’s performance in the 1931 German film “The Child Killer.” MaThe team notes that this is an accurate depiction of a modern-day child abuser, pointing out Michael Rooker’s portrayal of a serial killer. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.
Reisted suggested that his poor interpersonal relationships and lack of planning skills led him to become an idiopathic psychopath.
