http://thetoptwoinches.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/10/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:45:52 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://thetoptwoinches.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/10/#comment-9 The psychopath effect (criminal variety) « Top Two Inches Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:53:07 +0000 http://thetoptwoinches.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/10/#comment-9 [...] say ‘criminal’ because, as I’ve pointed out before, not all psychopaths are criminals (and not all criminals are psychopaths). Psychopaths make [...] [...] say ‘criminal’ because, as I’ve pointed out before, not all psychopaths are criminals (and not all criminals are psychopaths). Psychopaths make [...]

]]> http://thetoptwoinches.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/10/#comment-2 Jasper Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:03:30 +0000 http://thetoptwoinches.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/10/#comment-2 Scary stuff. I have my doubts about real change in the true sociopath. In my clinical experience the true sociopath would rather die than be 'weaker' than another or a 'sucker' like everyone else. He will spin every situation in such a way that he, the sociopath, is actually the winner - even if no-one realises the fact, he knows. On the other hand, I have worked with someone who was brought up in a semi-feral, male-free enviroment during WWII. Theft from bombed out homes, assault and all manner of anti-social behavior was the norm. Until he was called up for national service, that is. There he was shown how to behave decently. He was taken aside and told, "No, man, you don't just take things from your mates. It's not done. Ask and maybe he'll lend it to you," etc. In a shortish space of time (a year, I think it was) he changed and spent the next 50 years as a law-abiding citizen. Accurate diagnosis is critical (and particualrly difficualt with someone who's out to manipulate you). Scary stuff. I have my doubts about real change in the true sociopath.
In my clinical experience the true sociopath would rather die than be ‘weaker’ than another or a ’sucker’ like everyone else. He will spin every situation in such a way that he, the sociopath, is actually the winner – even if no-one realises the fact, he knows.
On the other hand, I have worked with someone who was brought up in a semi-feral, male-free enviroment during WWII. Theft from bombed out homes, assault and all manner of anti-social behavior was the norm. Until he was called up for national service, that is. There he was shown how to behave decently. He was taken aside and told, “No, man, you don’t just take things from your mates. It’s not done. Ask and maybe he’ll lend it to you,” etc. In a shortish space of time (a year, I think it was) he changed and spent the next 50 years as a law-abiding citizen.
Accurate diagnosis is critical (and particualrly difficualt with someone who’s out to manipulate you).

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