My cousin the psychiatrist sent me the following list for judging the degree of psychopathy in mental patients. After reading it, you may recognize some people you know.
Test for Psychopathy
For each of the 20 characteristics, give a score of 0 if
it does not apply, 1 if it applies partially and 2 if it is a perfect match.
1 Glib
and Superficial Charm
The
tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile.
Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say
anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from
the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2 Grandiose
Self-Worth
A grossly inflated view of
one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart.
Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3 Need
for Stimulation or Proneness to Boredom
An
excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances
and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline
in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They
fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish
tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4 Pathological
Lying Can be moderate or high;
in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in
extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous,
manipulative, and dishonest.
5 Conning
and Manipulativeness
The use of deceit
and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished
from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is
present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of
one's victims.
6 Lack
of Remorse or Guilt
A lack
of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a
tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This
item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.
7 Shallow
Affect
Emotional poverty or a limited
range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open
gregariousness.
8 Callousness
and Lack of Empathy
A
lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate,
and tactless.
9 Parasitic
Lifestyle
An intentional,
manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as
reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin
or complete responsibilities.
10 Poor
Behavioral Controls
Expressions
of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse;
inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11 Promiscuous
Sexual Behavior
A variety of brief,
superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of
sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a
history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking
great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12 Early
Behavior Problems
A variety
of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism,
bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and
running away from home.
13 Lack of
Realistic, Long-Term Goals
An
inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and
goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14 Impulsivity
The occurrence of behaviors that are
unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation,
frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the
consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15 Irresponsibility
Repeated failure to fulfill or honor
obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans,
performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor
contractual agreements.
16 Failure
to Accept Responsibility for Own Actions
A
failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low
conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial
of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17 Many
Short-Term Marital Relationships
A lack of
commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable,
and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18 Juvenile
Delinquency
Behavior problems between
the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects
of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless
tough-mindedness.
19 Revocation
of Condition Release
A
revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations,
such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20 Criminal
Versatility
A diversity of types
of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted
for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.
TOTAL DIAGNOSIS
Hillary Arkancide
