Are there animals which can portray psychopathic behaviour like human beings?

Question

I was just interested.

Answer 1

If you accept that the hallmarks of psychopathy are a lack of concern for the feelings of others and a disregard for any type of social obligation - a callousness and manipulative way of interacting - then it might seem that there are parallels in the non-human animal world. But I don't really think so. The important differentiation is that psychopathy is considered to be outside the norm of human behaviour. Animal behaviours which might mimic psychopathic behaviour - the shark comes to mind - aren't really out of the norm for the species. So to call an animal like a shark "psychopathic" is really just imposing human standards in an inappropriate manner. I suspect that individual animals within a species - those who are ill or injured or otherwise deviant - might exhibit behaviours which could be considered psychopathic in the context of their species. But I don't think there is a species of animal which is inherently psychopathic.

Answer 2

Monkeys/Gorillas

Answer 3

Honey badgers are the only one that I know.

Answer 4

Wow, this is very intriquing question. First, I am not an expert in this field. However, I thought that it would be good to give my thoughts on it.

I love to watch nature and animal shows, whether on PBS or Kingdom of Omaha, Jack Hannas adventures, Steve Irvin, it doestnot matter I find nature a valuable subject.

I have noticed that animals have emotions. Elephants seem to have an expression of sadness and remorse when one of their herd passes, or even when they run across another elephant. They show signs of distress and recognition of the passing of life.

I am aware that all mothers in the animal kingdom will fight with such ferocity when their young are harmed or if the thought of harmful intent is presented to them. An example is a lioness lost her cubs. She wandered and gave that soft call that she gave them when she was coming back to where she had left them from a hunt. Although, the documentors knew that she had lost her cubs, she still and it was obviously a sad search for her, or at
least I felt as if she were suffering from emotions.

I said all of that to say this, animals are wild creatures. They are indifferent to human understanding and logic and human abilities to communicate. Yet, in their own way, they have many abilities and capabilities to communicate and express themselves. Not quite on the same level as we humans can, nonetheless on their levels.

I believe it safe to say, that a Kodiak bear, or a lion, or even an attack from wild heyenas is as justified by the laws of nature, and not to be mistaken for psychopathic behavior, no more than a bee is to be mistaken, as it stings when it felt threatened.

There is no way to project our human psychology and characteristics on the naturally wild animals' kingdom and behavior.

Yes, there are likenesses,when compared on many levels, but it is in the differences and not likenesses that shows, that in the case of animals, there are choices and responses that are spurred and nutured and controlled by nature, and the intent and the purpose of their behaviors as when compared to us humans, that makes them not subject to our psyche and our spiritual fufillings or shortcomings.

Animals can be predictable, yet unpredictable. There are leaders in their kingdom and leaders in ours. We humans are mammals, this means that we are animals, yet we are the sole inheritors of something that does make us different.

We have an extensive vocabulary. We have an ability to communicate upon multiple levels. We are capable of multiple learned languages and nuances that definately shows that while we humans are animals, yet still the animals are not quite held to our commision.

We have been commissioned to care for them, and to use them, and even to take them for food, but even while doing that we are to slaughter those fit for consumption with compassion and not cause lingering pain and unnecessary trauma for them.

Psychosis and psychotic people are just that, sick. They are, if you will permit me, sick in the soul. The mind is our soul. We, if you believe in creation as I do, are the only animals that can commit offenses against our fellow man and have a conscience, or if that conscience (soul) is ill, then it has no remorse for sins, or shortcomings, or even percieved wrongs done against others, or to hold a ledger of offenses committed against us by others.

It is a certain fact that all animals, especially, the fierce ones have an ability to have enemies. These enemies could be recognized as that and those of their own kind even.

A sow bear will fight to the death for her male cub. Yet, she will fight him and chase him away from her territory upon his growing to maturity and leaving her care.

A mother eagle will actually push her eaglet off of the edge of the precipice. Making it fall. I am certain that this could be cruel by human standards. The eaglet is screaming, (permit me,) "Hey, Mom! This is causing me trauma, you know I can't fly! What are you doing?"

Only to swoop under him to make him upright, and to open her wings, circling him, coaching him on how to ride the wind.

I admire nature. I believe that there is a lot to learn from nature, we are its caretakers and not supposedly its masters. There is only one master, God.

And just as sure as he made a difference our level and animals' level of psyche and stewardship...there is one thing I know for a fact...It is only the humans that can dissappoint him by our failures. Nature is made perfect and it conducts itself under mere laws of nature and not of both natural and spiritual laws like we humans.

For we are made in the image of God. They were not. So, I don't believe that they can portray psychopathic behavior. They don't kill, maim or rape for fun. Yes, they kill, yes they maul what is percieved a threat, and yes they do mate. Yes, they have emotions, and communications and they even have certain laws that are heeded to by their unique society, i.e. the wolves with the Alpha male and female, or the caring for each pup in kind by whichever mature animal that is in the pack. Yet, they compete for food and in the same territory with other packs of wolves, yet these other wolves have the exact natural laws and societal and even individual traits as any other pack and individual wolf has.

I hope that this, my take on this, might make you think and help out in any way that it does. I am not an expert on any of this, I just see it this way. Have a great day!