sociopaths?

Question

can a sociopath be an extremely gifted and talented person who excels at many things?

Answer 1

Yes, they often excel in ventures that have a high risk factor, like exploring, because they don't get scared the way normal folks do. I believe Robert Maxwell is a good example.

Answer 2

Don't know of any research linking IQ or talents to sociopaths. Their abilities are probably normally distributed, just like the rest of us, meaning a few will be very gifted and have a lot of talent. One thing we do know is that, whatever gifts they have, they'll be able to use them better than many of us because they don't suffer from stage fright. That works to their advantage. Something that works to their disadvantage is their impulsiveness. A sociopath may be born with a gift for, say, piano playing or chess, but because he is more easily bored and changeable, he isn't likely to get beyond a modest level of achievement. The short answer to your question is, yes, a rare sociopath may be born with gifts of many kinds, but, no, he probably won't develop those gifts beyond the point where they can be used to impress other people.

Answer 3

They probably have the same variation in levels of intellect as the general population. Difference is in the way they apply the abilities they do have. When normal people use their talents, they take into account all sorts of different things and especially the effects their actions, decisions have on other people. This limits their lives in a way that is beneficial to society. For a sociopath, no such rules apply. They can be so determinedly ruthless that they will achieve their goals when others would fail.

Answer 4

Yes. Sociopathy has little to say about intellectual gifted/talented. Some people who have been identified as sociopaths have been very gifted/talented.

Studying sociopaths is like studying Great White Sharks...we don't know how many are out there, so we don't know what an "average" one looks like.

Answer 5

The main difference between a normal person and a socialpath is that the normal person's brain is hardwired to worry about how others think and feel. Socialpaths have this part missing. It's not any different from how normal people's brains are hardwired to recognize and remember human faces, while those with prosopagnosia are missing this part, and so they can't recognize or remember faces. Nevertheless, socialpaths and people with prosopagnosia can otherwise be normal and can have above-average abilities. Being a socialpath doesn't limit talent, and doesn't limit stupidity as well.

Answer 6

Yes. In fact my psycology 101 text, states that most sociopaths are extremely intelligent. I've read nothing about their being extremely gifted or talented but I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

Answer 7

Yes they can, the weakness is that they cannot feel emotions in the same way as a normal [person. They manipulate situations and people and at the end of the day do not find any real contentment or happiness with themselves. To be pitied.

Answer 8

a sociopath tends to be very gifted and talented because thier focus is not on relationships and human interaction...

Answer 9

Yes. They can also be very charming as well. As long as they have no regard for other people's feelings, they're a sociopath.

Answer 10

Oh yeah. And they are charming and you'd never think he or she is a sociopath. Think Scott Peterson's crazy self.