Off topic - looking for others' thoughts on this.

ajanus · October 2013

So I was bored at work today and started browsing a lot of tests that psychologists have made to tell you if you are right/left brained, sociopaths, psychopaths, naturally intelligent, and so on.

What I found is that I can answer everything correctly, whether I actually believed my answer or not, according to each specific test...except for the psychopath ones...I always got those wrong. Now, I realize that is actually a good thing, BUT, it still upset me quite a bit that I couldn't actually find the answer to any of them.

I'm one of those people that generally knows...everything...and if a question comes up that I just can't answer, I look it up. However, these tests are based on quick responses so you either know them or you don't.

That actually led me to want to learn more about the thought process of psychopaths (lol). I realize that unless you actually are one, it will likely be impossible to comprehend. I also realize there are likely thousands of books that attempt this...so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to start to read more in depth about it.

I figured if anyone knows a thing or two about psychopaths, it would be one of us on these forums :biggrin:

fenrichwulf · October 2013

Your best bet would be to snoop around in the club caprice for a week or two. After this week you'll probably be able to write an in depth book about how psychopaths think and what not.

flyingfinn · October 2013

Join me for a dinner and let's talk about it....
I'll bring the wine.

theravenforce · October 2013

As a psychology student (second year), I have studied psychopaths from a "face value". I am currently delving deeper into what thought processes go awry in a psychopath's mind etc

From what I have learnt so far:

- Their thought processes seem to function on an "alternate" path to that of societal norms, so they lack empathy, they may have an idea of what is right and what is wrong but they refuse to adhere or tap into that knowledge when doing what society deems as inappropriate (such as killing or torturing someone)

They usually have an adverse affect to conventional methods such as CBT etc to cure their psychopathic tendencies and instead become empowered by comprehending and listening to that information, thereby increasing their skills as a psychopath such as being able to mask their true intentions better than they previously are able to.

This level of deviation from the norm is explained as being a "distortion of cognitive processes" which then impacts on their perceptions of reality. Their cognitive functions with regard society and understanding that actions have consequences stops them from being able to understand that their actions have consequences and can lead them to believe that they will never be truly caught. This pattern of thinking and disregard for others in such a way is identifiable from early childhood or adolescence and carries on throughout their life.

Psychopathy is known in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as ASPD (Anti Social Personality Disorder):

"The essential feature of antisocial personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. This pattern has also been referred to as psychopathy, sociopathy, or dyssocial personality disorder."

This definition is part of both the 4th and 5th version of the DSM (5th Version came out this year! Woot!)

I hope this helps a bit ^^

If you have any more questions I'll try my best to answer

forrksakesexco · October 2013

Coupla things...
What's a "face value" in this context?
Can you tell me anything about emotionally based violence? For example killer shoots victim but then goes over to body and empties magazine into the corpse. Massive overkill sort of thing. Killer say has been hurt by victim in the recent or not so recent past. In particular I'd like to know the buzz words for this sort of thing. I used to think it was the word Psychotic but looked it up on the internet and it's confusing as heck but probably isn't the right word.
Is it accurate to say "a psychotic level of violence"?

theravenforce · October 2013

forrksakesexco wrote: »

Coupla things...
What's a "face value" in this context?

Just a basic look at what is labelled a psychopath really, nothing particularly in depth.

Can you tell me anything about emotionally based violence? For example killer shoots victim but then goes over to body and empties magazine into the corpse. Massive overkill sort of thing. Killer say has been hurt by victim in the recent or not so recent past.

I should be able to, it's actually one of my key readings I'll be doing tomorrow

Once I've read up on it, I'll post here for you

In particular I'd like to know the buzz words for this sort of thing. I used to think it was the word Psychotic but looked it up on the internet and it's confusing as heck but probably isn't the right word.
Is it accurate to say "a psychotic level of violence"?

Sort of, if a killer is murdering people in horrific ways and going "overboard" when committing a crime..then it would be definitely a cause for concern (even more so than someone flat out murdering someone).

In court if they were found to have psychological problems they would plead Insanity, which may grant them some leniency since they are classed as psychologically unstable. However that is usually used for people who possess personality disorders or "switch" to a more violent nature which is said to be out of their conscious control, so they would plead insanity as they lack the mens rea (or the "mind" in layman's terms) to commit such a crime...

It's all pretty confusing when it's first learnt, I'll try to explain better when I get reading...it's 1am here, so I'll get some sleep then see what I can do :biggrin:

forrksakesexco · October 2013

Oooh thanx ravenforce don't forget to play the game and otherwise goof off.

theravenforce · October 2013

forrksakesexco wrote: »

Oooh thanx ravenforce don't forget to play the game and otherwise goof off.

lol, I tend to enjoy ranting about Psychology.. :cool:

stergiosman · October 2013

flyingfinn wrote: »

Join me for a dinner and let's talk about it....
I'll bring the wine.

Hahaha, this must be one of the most hilarious posts ever....or maybe...

theravenforce · October 2013

If your really interested in Psychopathology, I'd recommend getting the book by Graham Davey (2008) entitled:

"Psychopathology - Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical Psychology"

It's the one I am currently using

It can get a bit heavy but it's great stuff, Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) comes under Personality Disorders, there are plenty of papers and journal articles about it, just type it into Google Scholar.

Also, it looks like the DSM IV refers to it as APD rather than ASPD! THE CHANGES!! \o/

handymanlondon · October 2013

I wish I can help you about it but I haven't know good psychopath authors that I can recommend you to read.

Off topic - looking for others' thoughts on this.

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