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Significances of intelligence
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It’s Good to be a Sociopath
Surprisingly, one in twenty five people in our world are sociopaths (Stout 8). With so many people like this, one must wonder how psychopaths are different from regular people. Being a sociopath is often lonely, but, for this four percent of people, there are advantages, such as increased intelligence, business sense, charisma, and manipulation.
Sociopaths are able to do better in the business field because of certain traits and abilities that they have. One thing that contributes to this advantage is that these people are able to stay objective in the marketplace, and are able to see strengths and weaknesses within companies without having bias (Perry and Herrera 125). This means that sociopaths are able to do what
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These people usually have increased amounts of intelligence, meaning that they have an advantage over regular people. According to Martha Stout, sociopaths “have the driving nature and intellectual capacity to pursue tremendous wealth and influence” (Stout 2). They are able to use their intelligence to be successful in many aspects of their lives. For example, they can use it to get into a prestigious school, or get a higher paying job. Additionally, sociopaths are able to develop beneficial patterns of behavior by learning what didn’t previously work and changing how they act based on that (Moon 23). This allows them to hone and improve any skill that they want to. They are able to use intelligence to make more money and do well at anything they try. By using these particular traits, sociopaths not only are more intelligent, but seem smarter as …show more content…
One of these factors is attractiveness; although not all psychopaths are beautiful, they all have a greater chance to be. Testosterone, which is linked to the expression of sociopathic behaviors, is also linked with having a symmetrical face (Baron-Cohen 153). Symmetry, for centuries, has acted as an indicator for beauty in society. This beauty allows people to be manipulated by sociopaths exhibiting attractive traits. People are judged based on their outward appearance, and this boost helps people with antisocial personality disorder to be liked by others. Another factor adding to attractiveness is charm, which is “a primary characteristic of sociopathy” (Stout 88). This charisma attracts people, and boosts the influence that sociopaths yield over others. More people see psychopaths as appealing, and as a result, more people will be at risk for manipulation.
Even with all of these advantages, some people argue that the negative aspects of a sociopath’s life outweigh the positives. The most common argument used is that psychopaths get lonely; however, this assumes that they feel and care about having relationships with others. Sociopaths do not mind living like this though, and most, if given the choice, would not choose to live a different way (Stout 120). Whilst a normal person would start feeling this disadvantage, a sociopath simply does not mind the absence of true companionship and
One area of research in psychopathy focuses on the set of structures in the brain known as the limbic system, but more specifically on a structure known as the amygdala. According to neuropsychology class slides, the amygdala is involved in emotions and storage of emotions in memory as well as the fear response when encountering threatening environmental stimuli. Osumi and colleagues (2012) note that the affective and interpersonal facets of psychopathy, such as cold-heartedness and lack of empathy, which are thought to be the core features of psychopathy, are associated with reduced activity in the amygdala. This is coupled with the fact that a less functional amygdala is associated with a psychopathic individual’s exhibition of antisocial behaviors, at least in part because he will not perceive the threat of punishment as a consequence of his actions. So whether it be the acts against other people or the acts of justice that may be carried out against the perpetrator, the psychopath will perceive both as less significant, as compared to a non-psychopathic individual. (Osumi et al., 2012)
Hare used these core factors to develop the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised assessment tool that helps detect psychopathy in people. They developed this theory because psychopathic behavior was thought of as miscellaneous of a topic to be categorized in one or two factors. The four recommended factors proposed by Hare and Neumann are: Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle and Antisocial. The first factor, interpersonal consists of superficial charm, manipulation, pathological lying, and a grandiose sense of self-worth. Secondly, the affective factor involves the lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect, callous and/or lack of empathy, and failure to accept responsibility for own actions. The third factor is lifestyle, which comprises of need for stimulation and/or proneness to boredom, parasitic lifestyle, impulsivity, irresponsibility, unsatisfactory work habits, and lack of realistic long-term goals. Finally the fourth factor is antisocial and contains poor behavioral controls, early behavior problems, juvenile delinquency, criminal versatility, and revocation of conditional release (Hare & Neumann, 2005, p.58-59). According to Hare and Neumann “The 4 psychopathy factors are significantly interrelated, and thus can be comprehensively explained by a single superordinate (that is, psychopathy) factor.” (Hare, R. D., & Neumann, C. S.
The psychopath know the reasons behind acting a certain way and just don't think about the consequences. Even in the DSM-IV clear definitions of a psychopath doe not exist but the closes to diagnose is anti-social personality disorder. Dr. Hare instead developed the Psychopathy Checklist for people to diagnose psychopathy. The first part of the Psychopathy Checklist looks at the emotional and interpersonal traits of the disorder(Hare, 1993). Some of the emotional qualities that the clinician would look for is as followed: glib/superficial, egocentric/grandiose and lack of empathy.
...not function without an element of ruthlessness and a need to win. Could any capitalist be called a sociopath? In my opinion I believe that while this non-fiction novel does enlighten us to some degree on the nature and behaviors of sociopaths, it is not a myopic and in depth study worth putting any faith-based investments into. Also, it fails to answer a major and simple question: what does the future hold for these ‘monsters’? Will the population of sociopaths increase exponentially, until it is they who must destroy us for being the minority? Or are their numbers diminishing due to social awareness about this condition? Is sociopathy purely biological in nature or does this personality disorder also stem from personal experience or otherwise? In short, this book raises more questions that in answers, resulting in a disappointing and unfulfilled search for truth.
Psychopath and Sociopath are so closely related that many don’t know they are different illness. Both psychopath and sociopath have similar illness but their factors are completely different. Study’s shows this may be a product of nature vs nurture. Secondly, Psychopath behavior is shown to be controlled while sociopath is shown to have uncontrollable behavior. Thirdly, there violence outburst is different, psychopath usually plan out their crimes while sociopaths are erratic and careless with their crimes. Fourthly, Psychopaths don’t feel any type emotion towards others but they can be in relationships when it comes beneficial to them. Sociopaths often don’t have relationships, they don’t become attached to others. Lastly, Psychopath are actually
It stems from an underlying sense of rage. Sociopaths feel deeply angry and resentful underneath their often-charming exterior, and this rage fuels their sense that they have the right to act out in whichever way they happen to choose at the time. Everything is up for grabs with sociopaths and nothing is off limits. Meyers - "The 'Meyers'"
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a sociopath as someone who behaves in a dangerous or violent way towards other people and does not feel guilty about such behavior. Sociopaths lack a conscience that allows people to decipher between right and wrong. In A Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe, the narrator, Montresor, is believed to be a sociopath by many. He kills his friend, Fortunado, after he literally adds insult to a thousand of injuries. Though what the insult was and the previous injuries were never revealed to the reader, it could be assumed that Montresor probably overreacted to the Fortunado’s insult. But in order to answer this question the evaluation upon his motivation, strategy, and Montresor’s feeling and emotion towards
Scientists have many theories concerning psychopaths. Scientists do not have a definite clear cut answer on what is the cause of psychopathy but they have many ideas: nature and the nurture of the person. Nature is the gene that the person carries. The nurture of the person when they were a child simply means how they were treated when they were growing up and/or how they were raised. Some scientists even consider it a possibility that it could be a mixture of the two.
Sociopaths are prevalent among society, and some researchers, like Martha Stout, claim that one out of every twenty-five people is a sociopath. However, this statistic is incorrect. This statistic is based on the assumption that sociopaths and psychopaths are the same people—which is untrue. While the sociopathic and psychopathic traits overlap, sociopaths differ in that they are obviously nervous and agitated, unable to create the illusions that psychopaths are so proud of. They live on the fringes of society, uneducated and unable to keep a steady job. Psychopaths, unlike sociopaths, are suave and able to maintain an illusion of conformity and maintain relationships on a superficial level. Both, however, are dominantly male, tend to disregard the rights and social mores of others, and have a tendency display violent and disruptive outbursts without remorse. Unlike psychopaths, who completely lack remorse and the ability to love, sociopaths may attach themselves to certain people, though they still remain contemptuous of the rest of humanity (7).
What is a sociopath? According to R. (2012) “There are people in the world who don't care about love, and who feel no remorse, empathy or emotional attachment to others. They don't even know what these feeling are. These people are called sociopaths.” (It Wasn"t a Relationship – It Was a Robbery!!, 2013) explains, “The sociopath makes a career living off others. They feed off your energy, your wealth, your social life, your friends and family, your body, everything, and if you have material possessions, they will take those too.” According to Andersen (n.d.) “[Sic] Sociopathy is not a mental illness; it is a personality disorder. The condition is highly genetic.” These days most people find their mate on an online dating sites. Most of the dates go well but, “More than 2 billion people on the Internet. It is reasonable to assume that, as in real life, 1 percent to 4 percent of them are sociopaths. That means they are 20 million to 80 million sociopaths online – all trolling for victims 24/7 around the world” (Andersen, 2012, p. 91). Andersen (2012) writes, “If you are looking for love online, by definition, you are lonely. Sociopaths specialize in targeting lonely people” (p. 88). Andersen (2012) continues, “The Internet and social media make it easy for sociopaths to research you, your connections and your interests. Still, sociopaths usually get all the information they need for seduction directly from you, through conversations and correspondence” (p. 113). Could your online date actually be a sociopath?”
Depictions of psychopaths today have become exaggerated based off of what you see in movies and films. The psychopaths in movies are believed to be dangerous or have an anti-social personality disorder. Not all psychopaths can be defined in that manner. Psychopaths are identified as people who are emotionally unstable. They are ultimately suffering from a chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior. There have been studies ultimately wondering if a psychopath is born, or is it raised? Genetics and environment combine to produce conditions that create psychopathology. By paying attention to environmental variables we can potentially reduce the amount of people who become dangerous psychopaths.
The media most often showcases psychopaths as individuals who are inherently evil and dangerous towards themselves and others. Yet, this concept of psychopathy goes far beyond this idea of pure evil and instead necessitates a needed psychological understanding. These individuals, psychopaths, are generally characterized by a lack of empathy and conscience. Indeed, psychopath’s indifference to the repercussions of their actions combined with other characteristics such as hostility and aggression make for a potentially dangerous personality (Lyken, 1996, p.30). In order to identify a psychopath’s recidivism, it is important to differentiate them from sociopaths who, instead of having a psychological impairment that makes it difficult for them to socialize, have been systematically under socialized (Lyken, 1996, p.30). In accordance. psychologists have developed the methods such as the Psychopathy Checklist- Revised (PCL-R) to help identify those with psychopathic tendencies (Walters, 2012, p.409). That is why predictions of recidivism among psychopaths is most efficient when done
...e to murder over a period of time frequently show sociopath tendencies. Serial killer's have little self-esteem and a sociopath's inability to feel other people's pain or sorrow for any wrongful acts that they have committed (Casey, p. 80).
Sociopaths are people with a major personality disorder and they possess sociopathic characteristics of being tremendously antisocial and they have no conscience. They react on impulses and they usually fail to plan ahead. Sometimes a sociopath often believes that they are doing nothing wrong or when they are do terrible things they believe that they’re doing something that’s good or acceptable. This definition may fall a bit short because of the simple fact that one will truly never understand what a sociopath really is, or what they think, unless you’re one yourself. This is because of the many characteristics that a sociopath have. Not all sociopaths are good people, but the same thing could be said that, not all sociopaths are bad people.
These reflections are only briefly constructive to prevent ever falling into the grips of a sociopath again. I do not use that descriptor lightly. It is heavy and laden with grim future events, people’s loss, threatened safety and cunning emotional transgressions for the abuser’s selfish life enhancements. Theoretically, my partner may have been narcissistic, suffer from bipolar disorder, or be displaying a combination of disorders but that was not the whole story. It went deeper than that. The label sociopath is rarely applied officially, even by professionals in the psychological community. Sociopaths do not seek help and when they do it is often as part of a mandated recovery program or with the pressure of family members or close friends. More often than not though it is the victims of sociopaths occupy therapist’s offices. When a sociopath does enter into treatment they can often charm the practitioner. Many sociopaths are methodical and calculating, they can weave body language, facial expression, vocal intonations, eye contact and flattery into a convincing tapestry to blanket the eyes of an inquiring party. At times they are flippant and might brag about their disregard for rules, authority or others rights. However, most of them are hiding in plain sight and look like anyone else. They can seem deeply genuine but often prey on trusting, isolated and sensitive individuals because their