How can you tell if someone is a SOCIOPATH?

Question

please no GWBush jokes

Answer 1

I think this list is the most close one http://www.exitsupportnetwork.com/artcls/socio.htm

Answer 2

From what I can tell, sociopaths con people. They lead people to believe that they are normal or someone they aren't.

I think it sometimes takes awhile to determine that someone is a sociopath. If someone has a lot of long-term friends and is on good terms with their family, then I tend to trust them. Sometimes I get an odd feeling like things don't add up. Then I double check the sociopath's boasts or that fact statements with another source. For example if someone tells me they are a tennis champ, I'll ask someone who they have played against how well they play.

There are probably some sociopaths that are undetectable and that is scary. I think of the BTK killer that murdered something like eight people and was a religious leader and a boy scout master. His wife sure was surprised.

Answer 3

Sociopaths are often excellent liars as they often do not consider the consequences of their own actions. They often act on impulse, do not plan ahead, and are often in trouble with law. They often lack any real emotion. They usually have no sense of "right or wrong" and cannot put themselves in others shoes or have empathy toward others. Most serial killers have been said to be sociopaths. There are several criteria to designate someone as a sociopath. They have to meet a certain number but not all of these criteria to be diagnosed as a sociopath. Best to leave to the psych experts to diagnose, though, because sociopaths are often talented liars.

Answer 4

The first person to answer is absolutely correct. True sociopaths aren't out there for you to see. Look at BTK, or any other serial killers. They are perfect examples of "sociopaths." Until they were caught, they were living their lives like you and I. However, I don't think that the word sociopath is necessarily a bad word. We do as a society put a bad stigma on it, but I know some very nice people that could be considered "sociopaths." (As a lover of psychology, I think we all are "sociopaths" in a way, we just live our lives in public differently than we live our lives in private. No law breaking, no morally wrong-doings, but don't we all have a private side that no one else will ever see?) Maybe I'm wrong about the definition of the word, but its something to think about.

Answer 5

Go to a library and get ahold of a DSMIV, which is the diagnostic tool used in mental health.

A sociopath is a person who has no regard to rules, laws, the needs or feelings or others. The prison is full of sociopaths and Congress has a great deal who are better at manipulating than those in prison.

Answer 6

The people whom I've seen exhibiting symptoms are usually very charming when I meet them. However, once getting to know them I began to realize and sense that something was missing from their underlying characters. This manifested itself in a total lack of conscience i.e.: knowing right from wrong.

Generally speaking I remove myself from situations where I must deal with such people. Unfortunately I do have to deal with these types and it can be difficult but I just focus on the task at hand rather than getting close as they just creep me out!

It's hard to say if this is hard-wired in their brains or a learned behavior (nature vs. nurture) but it's something that does intrigue me. Where does our sense of right and wrong come from and why do some people exhibit no empathy whatsoever?

I could go on for hours but that would make for very dull reading and I haven't taken psychology in many years!

Oh yeah, nice legs by the way!

Answer 7

You can't just "tell". Many factors contribute to antisocial behavior, many more contribute to a "sociopath" diagnosis. See http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sociopath.htm

Usually, lack of empathy begins the process of determination. A true sociopath, regardless of other indications/symptoms, exhibits a significant lack of empathy - sometimes well before any other symptoms are evident.

Common profile theories "note carefully the term THEORY" Diagnosis of a sociopath is not easy, or always accurately executed.
http://www.9types.com/wwwboard/messages/18332.html
http://www.hss.caltech.edu/~mcafee/Bin/sb.html
http://www.lovefraud.com/01_whatsaSociopath/key_symptoms_sociopath.html
http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/428/428lect16.htm

Answer 8

I guess since I am truthful, you can add me on the list, perhaps most think I am, since I see ghost and spirits.

I guess that sounds like a judgment call, perhaps some of these so call doctors that do these test are nothing more than judgmental, or sociopath themselves.

There's your thought for the day... good night:)

Answer 9

Lol the truth is a sociopath cant be picked out they are the ones that mainly feed on society there like a ghost under are radars.........they are invisible.........why do I know? Because I am one :)