Is a psychopath objective or subjective?

Answer 1

I would think that a psychopath can be either one. The main ingredient for a person that is psychopathic is that their idea of logic is different from the norm. So, while it may seem crazy to you or me, the psychopath sees their actions as perfectly reasonable. This may be why they show no remorse for their actions. To them, there is nothing wrong with what they are doing.

Answer 2

I am wondering what you mean by the term "psychopath." In the professional field the term psychopath or sociopath would be in reference to an individual who frequently violates the rights of others with no remorse. The current clinical term is "anti-social personality disorder." To be given this diagnosis by a professional a person needs to meet a set of criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manuel 4ed, TR.

Often the term psychopath is used in reference to serial killers, especially in the media. Although not completely inappropriate not all psychopaths, or more appropriately, not all people with anti-social personality disorder are serial killers.

So to answer your question, in the professional setting it is an objective term used to describe a set of behaviors and/or personality characteristics of a person. An argument can be made that there is a certain bit of subjectivity amongst professionals in deciding that a particular behavior meets the diagnostic criteria, there are assessment tools, such as the MMPI to remove this possible level of subjectivity.

In most casual settings the term psychopath is tossed around in a subjective manner, usually by people not in the behavior science field. I have overheard many people refer to their ex's as psychopaths!

Answer 3

Do you mean the diagnosis?? That is based on a list of characteristics, so if the person is borderline, the diagnosis may be subjective, according to which of the symptoms the doctor feels are most indicative.

Otherwise: A psychopath is a person and people by nature are subjective.

Answer 4

Subjective.

Answer 5

"Thirdly, the diagnostic criteria for many of these disorders require a subjective determination of whether or not a symptom is present, which, except for ASPD, has a very low rate of reliability."

apparently, anti-social personality disorder can be diagnosed subjectively.

Answer 6

Objectivity usually requires higher reasoning so I would say a pshycopath is subjective.

Answer 7

I think he or she can be both they may be tools to solving a problem We should never label people either as anti socials or pschopaths for they are victims of there environment or mis understood only god can judge we all can only guess.