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6 Subtle Signs That Someone Is A Psychopath

6 Subtle Signs That Someone Is A Psychopath post image

Most people find a psychopath (or sociopath — it means the same) difficult to spot; even psychologists have long argued over what it means.

Many psychologists think being a psychopath boils down to two ingredients: one side of psychopathy is all about fearless dominance and the other is all about self-centred impulsivity.

Here are some other common links to psychopathy…

1. Profession with the most psychopaths

CEOs, lawyers and people in the media lead the list of professions with the most psychopaths.



2. Spotting the ‘bad’ psychopaths

Not all psychopaths are the same.

There are two types of psychopaths — primary and secondary — according to new research.

Primary psychopaths can be cooperative, helpful and friendly.

Secondary psychopaths, though, are usually destructive, unhelpful and perform badly at work.

Ms Nora Schütte, the study’s first author, said that primary psychopaths are marked out by the trait of ‘fearless dominance’:


3. Psychopaths are often late to bed


Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy — menacingly called ‘the Dark Triad’ — were all linked with the preference for late bedtimes

Dr. Peter K. Jonason, explained:


For people pursuing a fast life strategy like that embodied by the Dark Triad traits, it’s better to occupy and exploit a lowlight environment where others are sleeping and have diminished cognitive functioning.”

4. Psychopaths less empathetic

Yawning after seeing someone else yawn is linked to empathy and bonding.

But psychopaths are selfish, manipulative, fearless, domineering and, critically, lack empathy.

The study found that people with psychopathic tendencies were less likely to yawn when they saw someone else yawning.

5. The criminal psychopath

Despite popular belief, being a psychopath does not automatically make someone a criminal — although it does help.

Many criminals have psychopathic traits, such as impulsive and antisocial behaviour.

However, a lack of self-control and a strong focus on rewards is strongly linked to criminal behaviour.

Brain scans have revealed this is the critical difference between an ordinary psychopath and a criminal psychopath.

6. Psychopaths like bitter foods

Having a preference for bitter tastes is linked to psychopathy, narcissism and everyday sadism, a new study finds.

A predilection for tonic water or coffee, therefore, could indicated some psychopathic tendencies in a person’s personality.

In contrast, people who dislike bitter tastes tend to be more agreeable, the researchers discovered.