Not in the criminal justice or forensic psychology areas. In clinical practice, you're right--but from a criminological perspective, there is an enormous difference between, for example, a sadistic serial rapist and a firefighter (one of professions with a higher--though not the highest--percentage of psychopaths among it's members). While both may have several of the same characteristics diagnostically, the fact that one focuses his behavior on positive actions while the other focuses on negative ones is a pretty major difference.
Rick -- Rick Adams. Capella University Grand Canyon University Jackson Community College [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] "... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." -Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible" -----Original Message----- From: Goss, Bill [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 10:47 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: Psychopathy and frustration I thought that both of these terms were historical labels having been replaced by antisocial personality disorder? Bill Goss College of the Rockies Cranbrook, B.C. Ph: 250 489-2751 Ext. 324 -----Original Message----- From: Rick Adams [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: February 23, 2005 9:05 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: Psychopathy and frustration Sure, A psychopath meets the clinical standards set by Hervey Cleckley which include such concepts as: lack of affect, lack of guilt or remorse, pathological lying behaviors (may be controlled or not), superficial charm, etc. In other words, a true psychopath does not feel guilt, shame, or experience true empathy (he--most are male--can sympathize with someone, but he can't empathize with him or her). In addition, most have above average IQs, tend to have very poor work histories (there are exceptions--particularly among professionals), are risk takers, and have a need for above average levels of stimulation and nearly all are "logic" driven, viewing relationships as being permanent only so long as they meet their needs (actually, from a married point of view, many women are very comfortable with that--so long as they meet their end of the bargain they can be certain that their partner will meet his and not become "infatuated" with someone new). Few psychopaths are capable of feeling romantic love, although most can feel "companionable" love and concern for someone else PROVIDED it benefits them to do so. The infamous "Great Pretender" Ferdinand DeMara was a classic psychopath, but if you imagine Mr. Spock from Star Trek you have the perfect model of a psychopath. A sociopath, on the other hand is a "psychopath gone bad." Normally somewhat lower in IQ than the average psychopath (although not always) he has adapted a life model of violating the standards of society (a psychopath will violate some standards--many, for example, use recreational drugs, etc.--but not the major ones). These are the individuals who end up in the criminal justice system and are among the most violent of offenders. In this group, you can think in terms of Ted Bundy, Gary Gilmore, and Joseph Stalin (who, of course, also displayed some characteristics of paranoia--but since he really DID have enemies who wanted to kill him, that may not be unreasonable). Take the Antisocial Personality Disorder up one peg and you have the sociopath. Hope that helps a bit. Rick -- Rick Adams. Capella University Grand Canyon University Jackson Community College [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] "... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." -Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible" -----Original Message----- From: DeVolder Carol L [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 10:48 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: Psychopathy and frustration As a non-clinician, can you explain to me the difference between psychopath and sociopath? Carol Carol L. DeVolder, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 Phone: 563-333-6482 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: http://web.sau.edu/psychology/psychfaculty/cdevolder.htm ________________________________ From: Rick Adams [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wed 2/23/2005 8:14 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: Psychopathy and frustration Actually, why shouldn't we seem like psychopaths? The percentage of psychologists who are psychopaths is higher than the national average (note that I'm NOT using the term "sociopath" which is not the same thing). For the record, does anyone care to take a guess at which profession has the highest percentage of psychopaths (according to Cleckley's standards, not Hare's)? I'll post the answer Sunday after everyone who wants to do so has had a chance to give it a try. I'm willing to bet that most people won't get the right profession (be specific, by the way) and many of those who read the answer will have to get on the Internet and confirm it before they believe it! If you're serious gluttons for punishment, try for numbers two and three as well! Rick -- Rick Adams. Capella University Grand Canyon University Jackson Community College [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] "... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." -Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible" -----Original Message----- From: Shearon, Tim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 7:10 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: Psychopathy and frustration Jean-Marc- Why are you asking us? Do we seem like psychopaths? :) I totally apologize for that - it was just wrong! (And God bless the pigmies in Africa, to quote Larry). :) Thanks for understanding my quirkiness! Just got through grading at 2am this morning. Tim -----Original Message----- From: Jean-Marc Perreault [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wed 2/23/2005 2:32 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Cc: Subject: Psychopathy and frustration As I mentioned in my last post, I've been studying psychopathy lately for one of my courses. A question came up that neither my criminologist colleague nor I could answer. Do psychopaths experience frustration, and if so, could we infer that that frustration increases their odds of committing an aggression? Cheers! JM David Campbell wrote: > "B" I'd hate to have the responsibility as a teacher to make this > decision. I don't want to have to discriminate between bonafide > disabilities and student manipulation to avoid difficult requirements. > --Dave > > Frigo, Lenore wrote: > >> Just a quick survey question and I'll be happy for as many >> back-channel answers as I can get. >> >> At your college/university, when a student has a disability for which >> they need accommodation, is this determination made by >> >> a) individual instructors >> b) a centralized unit (such as disabled student services) >> c) either, depending on the student's preference >> >> Thanks, >> Lenore Frigo >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> --- >> You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To >> unsubscribe send a blank email to >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
