Psychopathy is often misinterpreted as certain evil traits one acquires as they grow. While a lot of traits associated with psychopathy are upsetting and harmful to others, this is not entirely the case. We often use the term ‘psychopath’ to describe someone who is antisocial, callous, morally depraved, and unemotional. This diagnosis is often conducted in medical and legal settings for those who have displayed such traits, including certain criminals. 

It is important to note while it is more probable for a person with psychopathy to become a criminal, not all psychopaths are ‘evil’. Psychopathy is a term used to describe those who lack the ability to detect social cues (like when a person is in distress) and interact with those around them without the subconscious need for personal benefit. 

Psychopathy often starts early in children and isn’t necessarily something that can be controlled with medication, so a person often lives with that personality for life. However, psychopathy can be controlled using cognitive behavioural therapy to help the individual practise more empathetic activities. 

Psychopathic behaviour varies greatly from one individual to another. Some can be murderers and sex offenders, while others can be successful leaders or simply regular people who are more antisocial than others. It all depends on the aspects of nurture; the type of content and people they are exposed to or the experiences that impact them. 

Psychopathic traits often include:

• Narcissism
• Antisocial behaviour
• Impulsivity
• Superficial charm
• Callous and unemotional traits
• Lack of fear, guilt, or empathy

Although narcissism is a psychopathic trait and narcissists and psychopaths are often found to have low humility and agreeableness, only psychopaths have a low conscientiousness. A study found that about 29% of the general population has at least one psychopathic trait, but only 0.6% is likely to fit the definition of a psychopath. 

Early research on psychopathy discovered that the causes for the personality disorder are often linked to parent-child attachment. Parental rejection, emotional deprivation, and a lack of affection were all thought to increase the risk of a child becoming a psychopath. 

Studies have found a link between psychopathy and maltreatment, abuse, insecure attachment styles, and frequent isolation and separation from caregivers. Some researchers believe that such childhood issues can trigger psychopathic traits in children as they develop. 

Studies have also shown that there are genetic causes and links to psychopathy as well; it is a matter of nature versus nurture, or both in some cases, that increase the risk of a child developing psychopathy. 

If you are often around a psychopath who causes you emotional distress, feel free to seek professional help. If you suspect someone has this personality disorder, it is important to note that although people with psychopathic traits have an increased risk of engaging in criminal behaviour, not all psychopaths are violent criminals. 

If you believe you can get them to seek professional help, you can approach them with such suggestions. But if you feel wary of them, feel free to maintain your distance. Psychopathy is a rather difficult personality to dissect and researchers are still looking into it, but it is important for us to educate ourselves on such topics so we are more aware of the reality associated with such individuals.