# The aspects of psychopathy

Part of the issue with diagnosing psychopathy comes through how subjective the concept is.

- in many ways, it shares heavily with the Machiavellianism personality trait and is difficult to distinguish.
- Psychopathy likely sits as an extreme on a spectrum, with [narcissism](mind-neurodivergence-clusterb-narcissist.md) on one end and malignant narcissism and sociopathy somewhere in the middle.

Psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism put together are called the "dark triad", but it's possible they're the same thing in many ways.

- Psychological diagnosis, however, is the description of a pathological disorder, so it's entirely possible that all personalities can theoretically descend down into the same form of corruption (which is consistent with [some religious viewpoints](https://theologos.site/narcissism/)).

The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is the standard for determining psychopathy.

- It uses 20 measurements on a scale of 0 to 2 by examining lifetime behavior, with 25 being the most liberal cutoff for a formal diagnosis.
- Factor 1 represents emotional detachment and is shared with [narcissistic personality disorder](mind-neurodivergence-clusterb-narcissist.md):
  - Glibness (surface-level [charm](power-influence-how.md))
  - A grandiose sense of [self-worth](people-identity.md)
  - Compulsive [lying](people-lying.md)
  - [Manipulative](people-image-distortion.md)
  - Lack of any [remorse or guilt](mind-feelings-shame.md)
  - A limited range of [emotions](mind-feelings.md) or lack of emotional depth
  - Unable to express sympathy or concern for others' feelings
  - Unable to claim [personal responsibility](meaning.md) for anything
- Factor 2 represents antisocial behavior that can lead to [low socioeconomic status](people-classes.md) and a higher risk of [suicide](hardship-depression.md):
  - A need for stimulation and a tendency to get bored
  - Lifestyle that draws from other people without [reciprocating in turn](people-contracts.md)
  - Difficulty controlling oneself
  - Early behavior problems since [childhood](parenting-children.md)
  - No realistic, [long-term goals](success-3_goals.md)
  - Makes impulsive decisions
  - Makes irresponsible decisions
  - Major issues with authority during [adolescence](parenting-teenagers.md)
  - Violates conditional discharge orders in the justice system (e.g., violating probation)
- Other measurements don't fit into either factor:
  - [Sexually](relationships-sex.md) promiscuous
  - Makes many short-term [marriage](relationships-marriage.md) relationships
  - [Creatively](mind-creativity-how.md) subverts [rules](people-rules-methods.md)

Psychologists are constantly debating about the specific details of the diagnosis, but all the characteristics point to a similar mechanism.

- Primary psychopathy is more emotionally detached in every capacity, and their charm and manipulative behaviors express naturally in childhood without needing [trauma](hardship-ptsd.md) to trigger it.
- By contrast, secondary psychopathy comes due to environmental factors like childhood trauma, neglect, or inconsistent [parenting](parenting-children.md).
  - [Narcissists](mind-neurodivergence-clusterb-narcissist.md) will often represent Factor 1 (secondary) psychopathy later in life under extreme [stress](mind-feelings-happiness-stress.md) and [anxiety](mind-feelings-fear.md).

One unique quality of psychopathy versus narcissism is in the effectiveness of their charm.

- Narcissistic charm is usually off-putting and creepy to most people.
  - Their behavior often fits into the uncanny valley (similar to [robotics](computers-robotics.md)) and people can feel it even if they don't consciously see it.
- However, psychopathic charm is very engaging and captivates other people.
- Popular culture can sometimes capture this, but for the sake of [storytelling](stories-storytellers.md) will often add creepier behavior that steps away from psychopathy into malignant narcissism.