One reason that psychopaths ‘‘cheat’’ is because they have low levels of empathy, yet strong levels of indignation when they feel wronged. An employee can siphon off money from his employer and not feel guilty because he can't feel the pain that his boss or fellow employees may suffer because of the loss, but he can become enraged if he doesn't get back an 25 cents he is owed from a fellow employee splitting the check for pizza. I talk about this in my forthcoming book on Bullys, Malignant Narcissists, and Sociopaths and Psychopaths
“Psychopaths are predators, who use their mask of charm, manipulation and intimidation and violence to control others…lacking in conscious and in feelings for others, they cold-bloodedly take what they want and do as they please.”
“Psychopaths are predators, who use their mask of charm, manipulation and intimidation and violence to control others…lacking in conscious and in feelings for others, they cold-bloodedly take what they want and do as they please.”
Nature, Nurture and Psychopaths
“Primary psychopaths are individuals who generally show low levels of anxiety, empathy, fearlessness and emotion due to some intrinsic deficit rather than due to environmental or emotional difficulties. Secondary psychopaths show more impulsiveness, anxiety, empathy, and guilt than their primary counterparts. Their antisocial behavior is viewed not as an intrinsic deficit but rather as a result of environmental disadvantage, neurotic anxiety, psychotic thinking, low intelligence levels or other attributes that increase the likelihood for antisocial behavior (Lykken, 1995). ”
Cheater Hypothesis
Cheater hypothesis explains the manipulativeness and cheating behavior of psychopaths. In the “Prisoner’s Dilemma’’ game where an individual must decide whether to cooperate with or cheat a group of people in order to maximize his/her own benefits. Psychopaths have been shown to exploit others to benefit themselves. This cheating may even go beyond the social aspect to actual cheating and dishonesty in financial, business, and academic life. For example, in a non-clinical population. According to the Cheater hypothesis, one reason that psychopaths ‘‘cheat’’ is because they have low levels of empathy, yet strong levels of indignation when they feel wronged.
Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
