Tuesday, May 01, 2007

the sociopath.

attractive, charismatic, inteligent, calm, capable, talented........

every parent wishes these traits for thier children.

everyone wishes they can work toward becoming this.

so.....it begs the question.

why the witch hunt?

19 comments:

BBC said...

LOL

You quack me up

Settle down for fuck sakes

Go spend two weeks in the mountains

You know, material things are not important, just say "Fuck it" and walk away. I gave it all away two times and it was worth every cent. You can't put a price on your sanity.

Hugs

Dr.Alistair said...

what`s that got to do with sociopaths?

and what is sanity?

Anonymous said...

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.

Diagnostic

1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right's of others, those right's considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.

2. At least eighteen years in age.

3. Evidence of a Conduct Disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.

4. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.

Anonymous said...

Sociopath definition:

Glibness and Superficial Charm


Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.


Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."


Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.


Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.


Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.


Incapacity for Love


Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.


Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.


Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.


Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.


Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.


Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.


Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.


Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

Dr.Alistair said...

so where do you recognise yourself in that catchbasin?

in transactional terms this is known as im ok./ you`re not ok. or the mask for the more insideous i`m not ok/ but i`m going to work very hard to make others believe you aren`t either.

amateur diagnosis is a dangerous game.

none said...

I've met a few. They have no interest in interacting unless it involves personal gain.

Some do not recognize others as anything other than rungs on their ladder.

Once they step on you and move up you are discarded.

God help you if are an obstacle between a sociopath and his percieved objective.

Is that what you were after?

Dr.Alistair said...

true hammer. the cold, manipulative nature of some is harsh.

but we all have some of these traits as useful tools, when the need arises.

there is a school of thought that suggests that sociopathology is the natural state of man and that it is only the moral and ethical boundaries that society applies that stop us from tearing to bits.

none said...

I agree. However some of us transcend moral and ethical boundaries and forge out on our own to help mankind.

I have to say I've probably been a total failure in that regard but at least I've learned somthing :)

Dr.Alistair said...

the credit must go to your sensitivity and attitude toward your family.

that`s where it starts and stops.

if we all did what we could in that regard then "humanity" would take care of it`s self.

BBC said...

I'll tell you what can turn you into a sociopath. Trying to have anything to do with many of the women that are available to you these days.

This is why I have boundaries these days. I have many interests and things to do so avoiding relationships is not that hard.

Not that I wouldn't like one, but with these fruitcakes? No thanks. Come on over, we'll go camping, shoot some pool.

Cynnie said...

ya'll think too much..

selfish assholes who only give a rats ass about themselves are bad..
bad bad bad.

I like people..
I like being nice ..
and I'm not a wimp btw..dont ever mistake kindness for weakness with me .


next question?

JLee said...

I guess in a word to protect yourself from being killed by one...

Dr.Alistair said...

bill, you make an interesting point. i wonder if sociopathy is a response more than a pre-existing condition.

cynnie, selfish assholes are certainly bad.

jlee, sociopaths aren`t the killers. those are the psychopaths. one is commonly confused with the other, even by clinical professionals.

ted bundy was sociopathic, but it was his psychopathic tendancies that led to his killing people.

BBC said...

Ted Bundy was one person. It's not wise to use him in any examples of society.

Even though I will admit that it is a fine line.

BBC said...

Question:

Would you rather your woman go get a pedicure, or would you rather do it?

Dr.Alistair said...

i was usung ted bundy as an example of a psychopath to distinguish between psychopaths and sociopaths.

the majority of sociopaths never harm anyone.......unless you consider high achievement harm.

and i would rather give a woman a pedicure than to have her go elsewhere.......but it`s her choice.

Unknown said...

There were a lot of people like this at my last job. It's why I have such an inherent distrust of corporate types. But you can find them elsewhere too.

BBC said...

Yeah, it's her choice. :-)

Umm, never mind. I'm not sure you would get it if I explained it to you.

Just get out your check book, they have trained you well. :-)

Dr.Alistair said...

an inherent disrust of corporate types.

yep.

it is a culture with it`s own self-referencing rules and boundaries.

to be in you have to learn the code and the language and the behaviour.

like any other cult.