Psychopathy: A Misunderstood Condition

Psychopathic personality is widely misunderstood, and there are a host of misconceptions regarding this condition.

Psychopathic personality (psychopathy) is NOT equivalent to:

• Violence
• Serial Killing
• Psychosis
• Mental Illness (Psychopathology) in General
• Antisocial Personality Disorder

Psychopathy IS:

• A constellation of traits that comprises affective features, interpersonal features, as well as impulsive and antisocial behaviors.
• Interpersonal features include superficial charm, manipulativeness, dishonestly, and glibness. The affective features include lack of guilt empathy, and deep emotional attachment to others. Impulsivity includes recklessness and irresponsibility. And, antisocial behavior includes transgressions and law violations.
• Psychopathic individuals are found at elevated rates in prisons and jails, but can be found in community settings as well.
• Although psychopathy is a risk factor for physical aggression, it is by no means synonymous with it. 
• In contrast to individuals with psychotic disorders, most psychopaths are in touch with reality and seemingly rational.