These are the true signs of a psychopath, as experts have warned us not to take movie characters too seriously.
The stereotype surrounding people with psychopathy is usually that of someone who lacks empathy for the common man and who regularly engages in violent behavior; think of Patrick Bateman and Hannibal Lecter, for example.
However, this is not always the case.
If you ask the experts, there is a lot more to a ‘psychopath’ than meets the eye and it is important to understand what type of person you are dealing with.
What is a psychopath?
There is a big stereotype about people with psychopathy (Getty Stock Images)
Psychopaths generally suffer from “a severe form of antisocial personality disorder,” which is “characterized by impulsive, irresponsible, and often offender behavior”, according to National Health Service.
Since then, specialists from the non-profit organization PsychopathIs categorized The main characteristics of a psychopath are divided into three personality traits:
An indifferent temperament
Those who are associated with “aggression or antisocial behavior” are classified as “of indifferent temperament.”
If someone behaves in a way that causes “physical, social, emotional or financial harm” to others, this could be a sign of a psychopath.
Other worrying signs include:
- lying
- lack of remorse
- unconcerned about achieving anything
- with no friends
- seems cold
Boldness and social dominance
Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (Lions Gate Films)
Psychopaths tend to have “fearless, bold, and dominant personalities,” and often take “physical, social, financial, or legal risks.”
They are also considered thrill-seekers and appear very “confident or arrogant.”
Uninhibited behavior
This third feature is less surprising than the other two.
Those who are “impulsive, spontaneous or unplanned” could be psychopaths, according to the charity, which is a bit worrying.
People who do not plan ahead and “get bored or impatient more easily than others their age” are examples of uninhibited people.
So what are the most accurate depictions of psychopaths in movies?
Well, Belgian psychiatry professor Samuel Leistedt took 10 of his friends to see 400 Films from 1915 to 2010 to find that answer.
The goal was to make a short list of 126 psychopathic characters to narrow down who they are. the most realistic thing for a psychopath.
Hannibal Lecter is undoubtedly the most infamous portrayal of a psychopath. (Orion Images)
In their research they concluded that American psychopath Patricio Bateman and Silence of inocents’ Hannibal Lecter were inaccurate.
However, there were some notable expectations: with Javier Bardem’s character, Anton Chigurh, in No country for old men It is said to be one of the most accurate depictions of a psychopath.
They wrote: “He appears to be effectively invulnerable and resistant to any form of emotion or humanity.”
Two honorable mentions are Peter Lorre’s portrayal of a child killer in the 1931 German film. METERand the team noted that it is an accurate depiction of a modern-day child predator, and Michael Rooker’s portrayal of a serial killer in Henry: portrait of a serial killer.
Leistedt noted that his poor personal relationships and inability to plan for the future made him an idiopathic psychopath.
