1. Glibness and superficial charm:
Individuals with psychopathy often possess a charming and charismatic demeanor, which they use to manipulate and deceive others.
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth:
Psychopaths tend to have an inflated self-image, believing they are superior to others.
3. Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom:
They frequently seek excitement and may become easily bored, leading to risky behaviors.
4. Pathological lying:
Psychopaths are known for their compulsive lying, even about inconsequential matters.
5. Cunning and manipulative:
They are skilled at manipulating others for their own gain, often without the victim's awareness.
6. Lack of remorse or guilt:
Psychopaths exhibit a profound absence of remorse or guilt for their harmful actions toward others.
7. Shallow affect:
They display shallow or superficial emotional responses and rarely experience deep emotions.
8. Callousness/lack of empathy:
Psychopaths lack empathy and compassion for others' suffering, making it difficult for them to form meaningful relationships.
9. Parasitic lifestyle:
They may exploit and depend on others for their financial and emotional needs.
10. Poor behavioral controls:
Psychopaths struggle to control their impulses and may engage in impulsive and reckless behaviors.
11. Promiscuous sexual behavior:
Psychopaths often engage in a high number of sexual partners, frequently without commitment or regard for the consequences, which can contribute to relationship instability and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
12. Early behavior problems:
This item reflects a history of behavioral issues in childhood, such as conduct disorder or delinquency, which may be an early indicator of psychopathic traits developing.
13. Lack of realistic, long-term goals:
Individuals with psychopathy often have difficulty setting and achieving realistic long-term goals. They may pursue short-term gratification and instant rewards rather than planning for the future.
14. Impulsivity:
Impulsivity is a hallmark trait of psychopathy. Psychopaths tend to act on their immediate desires and whims without considering the potential consequences, leading to impulsive and sometimes harmful behaviors.
15. Irresponsibility:
Psychopaths often fail to fulfill their obligations and commitments. They may neglect financial responsibilities, employment, or familial duties.
16. Failure to accept responsibility for one's actions:
Psychopaths are inclined to shift blame onto others or external circumstances, avoiding personal accountability for their wrongdoing.
17. Many short-term marital relationships:
Psychopaths have a pattern of unstable relationships, characterized by multiple short-term marriages or partnerships that often end due to infidelity, manipulation, or interpersonal conflicts.
18. Juvenile delinquency:
A history of juvenile delinquency, including arrests or involvement in criminal activities during adolescence, is a common feature of psychopathy.
19. Revocation of conditional release:
This item reflects instances where individuals with psychopathic traits have their parole or conditional release revoked due to violating the terms of their release, often through criminal behavior.
20. Criminal versatility:
Psychopaths exhibit versatility in their criminal activities, meaning they engage in a wide range of criminal behaviors rather than specializing in a specific type of crime. This adaptability can make them challenging to apprehend and predict.
