Starting BDSM Lifestyle W/Bipolar Wife

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

GRACEANNE

Speaking of zoos; there are some folks around here not long removed from the trees and acquainted with underpants.

 

[Homburg]

Instead of bitch-slapping morons who abuse people, we do double back-flips to avoid calling something, anything.

The attitude drives me crazy because all the doublespeak just serves to obfuscate the actual content of speech in favour of lessening affront on increasingly less considerable minority interests.

Makes mah eye twitch.

 

[JMohegan]

What happened to context? Have we (net denizens) as a culture become so bloody sensitive that a completely accurate word, used with no displayed intent to offend, by what looks to be a professional involved in that field, has become fodder for multiple pages of vaguely affronted discussion?

Context matters, and can clear the air greatly when taken into account. I'm sure there's not a soul here that could not immediately think of a way to take some word commonly considered crass and use it such a way as to not offend normal sensitivities.

So why would this word, in this context, be so bothersome? Because the reader chooses to be bothered, I say. Because the reader brings their own issues into the conversation and lays blame for them at the feet of someone offering no offense, and using a word accurately within appropriate context. Is there a need for that?

Now, can we get back to the important business of poking sticks into James B Johnson's cage again? Please? Much more entertaining.

Good news, Homburg! The thread had returned to just that point..... before you jumped into the fray.

 

[shy slave]

Deleted. Due to wasting my own time trying to explain why word usage on an international scale is important.

 

[Quint]

...........

 

[Netzach]

The attitude drives me crazy because all the doublespeak just serves to obfuscate the actual content of speech in favour of lessening affront on increasingly less considerable minority interests.

Makes mah eye twitch.

A minority interest is only considerable when you yourself are part of it. Then it becomes worth consideration.

Which makes me think trolls with no life local 343 is destined to show up here about...now...

 

[HB1965]

hi jack in response.


Shyslave, I'm sorry if I offended you IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION, but you need to understand something which you are failing too. Mental Retardation remains the term used in Psychology to refer to intellectual or developmental disablilities as they are now being called because people are looking for alternatives because of the denegration of the term over time. Even the World Health Organization (located in Geneva, Switzerland) continues to use it as the term and has assigned the condition an ICD-10 code under the category of MENTAL RETARDATION which is used INTERNATIONALLY. If you go to their website and put the term into it you get SEVERAL hits that have nothing to do with the term being offensive to others, but has everything to do with communication between the professionals that access that site.

Don't get me wrong. I'm pleased that the UK is as advanced as they are in trying to make the world a better place for those with Developmental Disabilities. I applaud that, but you need to get that the usage of the term on my part is not meant as something offensive and right now I'm starting to wonder if I should offended by what I see as you continuing to suggest that I meant to be offensive. Lets just agree to disagree as JMohgen suggested. I really don't want to sit here and debate this anymore.

 

[graceanne]

GRACEANNE

Speaking of zoos; there are some folks around here not long removed from the trees and acquainted with underpants.

Would that be mothers of little boys?

 

[Homburg]

Good news, Homburg! The thread had returned to just that point..... before you jumped into the fray.

Shit, I missed the memo. Can I get on the list, please?


--

A minority interest is only considerable when you yourself are part of it. Then it becomes worth consideration.

Meh. I am part of a couple of different minorities. Whatever. I am legally of Japanese (it's a story in itself). Woo. I don't get pissed when I hear a Toyota or Nissan get called a "Jap Car" or a "Nip Car", for example. What do I care? Sure, they're technically derogatory words, but the context is unremarkable to me, and the usage is accurate. I take part in a D/s relationship with my sub/s. I don't take umbrage when a vanilla person calls BDSM sex freaky. Whatever. Given the definition of that word (referring to deviating from the norm in a significant fashion) it's accurate. I care little. I'm fine with my freakiness, as are the people I know in BDSM.

Don't get me wrong, words matter, and they matter quite a bit, but people get wound up WAY too fast over what amounts to minor shit. I am more worried about the attitude and intent behind the statement. If Joe Housewife says BDSM sex is freaky, and she is just some ignorant cow that has no comprehension, why would I feel insulted? She is parroting the ideas of the masses. If she goes on a 20 minute rant on the subject, or says all those freaks should be rounded up and shot, then I'd take offense.

Given the minorities I'm part of, I'll worry if legal actions are taken against us, or illegal deeds against us. I've got bigger fish to fry than worrying about minor word use though. And, frankly, I am more interested in clear, content-rich communication than I am in sterile, affront-free 1984-speech.

 

[lil_slave_rose]

JMOHEGHAN I work in this field and it's the term we still use as even the AAMR hasn't been able to come up with a better term

my sister also works in the same field and they do still use the term. i think some got confused on what you were saying. i had to go back and re-read your first sentence as well because i didn't get it at first either, i thought the same as others that you were saying that mental illness and mental retardation was the same thing......i see now, that's not at all what you were saying

 

[lil_slave_rose]

I hear people use bipolar as a pejorative all the time.

I think it's important that language offer flexibility, but the connotations of words are always changing.

Sociopaths used to be called psychopaths and now they are diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder. If someone says their cousin has anti-social personality disorder, it makes me think this opinion is more informed than if they said their cousin is a psycho, but it doesn't make me any more inclined to go on a road trip with said cousin.

I'd rather have a child that was mildly retarded than severely schizophrenic.

actually there is a difference between sociopaths and psychopaths....

Of the more distinguishing traits, some argue the sociopath to be less organized in his or her demeanor, nervous and easily agitated – someone likely living on the fringes of society, without solid or consistent economic support. A sociopath is more likely to spontaneously act out in inappropriate ways without thinking through the consequences.

Conversely, the psychopath tends to be extremely organized, secretive and manipulative. The outer personality is often charismatic and charming, hiding the real person beneath. Though psychopaths do not feel for others, they can mimic behaviors that make them appear normal. Upon meeting, one would have more of a tendency to trust a psychopath than a sociopath.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath.htm

i know that's not what the thread is about but figured i'd put this out there anyway...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

I compared the diagnoses for psychopath and sociopath, and theyre virtually identical. And that's how I've understood it to be for the last 25 years or more. Psychopath is the old name, sociopath is the new name. Like Manic-depressive is the old term for bipolar.

As I understand it, psychopath was changed to sociopath because psychopath has a duel meaning. The other 'psychopath' simply colors outside the lines, seeks novelty, and is up for new & unusual experiences. The other psychopath might be an explorer or into BDSM. Vanilla is not their favorite flavor.

One battery on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) measures psychopathological deviancy....that is, how far you color outside the lines. Psychopathology, as it's measured on this test, is not antisocial.

Oh! My score on the test is 72nd percentile.

 

[lil_slave_rose]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

I compared the diagnoses for psychopath and sociopath, and theyre virtually identical. And that's how I've understood it to be for the last 25 years or more. Psychopath is the old name, sociopath is the new name. Like Manic-depressive is the old term for bipolar.

As I understand it, psychopath was changed to sociopath because psychopath has a duel meaning. The other 'psychopath' simply colors outside the lines, seeks novelty, and is up for new & unusual experiences. The other psychopath might be an explorer or into BDSM. Vanilla is not their favorite flavor.

One battery on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) measures psychopathological deviancy....that is, how far you color outside the lines. Psychopathology, as it's measured on this test, is not antisocial.

Oh! My score on the test is 72nd percentile.

i took psychology in high school, and i assure you there is a slight difference between the two "personalities" i quoted part of the article i found and also posted the link. yes Manic Depressive is the old term for Bipolar, they are the same thing, however, psychopath and sociopath do have different traits therefore they are not the same thing......like i said it is a slight difference, but a difference all the same.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

Let me guess; the difference is in the spelling of the name? A slight difference, but a difference nonetheless. Right?

 

[lil_slave_rose]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

Let me guess; the difference is in the spelling of the name? A slight difference, but a difference nonetheless. Right?

no that is not the difference and if you won't bother to read the article or what i quoted then i'm not debating the point with you. i gave examples of the differences between the traits of a psychopath vs a sociopath, and the article i put a link to is a good one that explains the differences *shrugs* i think you just like to argue and i'm too tired for that

 

[lil_slave_rose]

another good article on Psychopath vs Sociopath. long but worth the read if you're interested. now that i've hijacked the thread (sorry to the OP) ..it's now bedtime.....

Revisiting the Age Old Case of Diagnostic Confusion:
Sociopath vs Psychopath
by Daniel Linder

As Robert Hare had indicated in an article he had written in 1996, "The distinction between psychopathy and anti-social personality disorders is of considerable significance to the mental health and criminal justice systems. Unfortunately, it is a distinction that is often blurred, not only in the minds of many clinicians but in the latest edition of DSM-IV." *

The DSM-IV has both disorders; psychopath and sociopath lumped together under 301.7 Antisocial Personality.

There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since the age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more of the following:

failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or
conning others for personal profit or pleasure
impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated
physical fights or assaults
reckless disregard for safety of self or others
consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.
While the DSM's diagnostic criteria are accurate and valid to the extent that they apply to both; psychopathy and sociopathy, the failure to not provide additional criteria the would enable the clinician to more clearly distinguish between the two has unfortunate treatment implications.

There is obviously some overlap. For both sociopath and psychopath, lack of remorse, being extremely dangerous, deep, longstanding and pervasive characterological disturbance, significant family of origin dysfunction, an extremely poor prognosis, living on the fringes, alienated existences apply.

However, they are quite divergent in a number of ways. Let's think in terms of general tendencies like appearance, socio-economic status, level of intelligence and education, modus operandi, motivation and criminal history.

Appearance
A sociopath (ASPD) is known to appear as if it is immediate apparent that he is either in some kind of trouble or he's about to make trouble someone else. S/he appears to be a non-conformist or someone who was never able to conform for whatever the reason. S/he usually conjures up a "tough guy" image that fits the DSM, failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest, irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults. Chances are you would not be inclined to trust this person.
The psychopath is known to appear to be just like anyone else. S/he could be you or I, there are no distinguishing features that call attention to differences associated with any kind of danger. His dress is conventional, business-like or casual. Chances are there would be no reason not to trust this person.

Socio-economic status
Their disparate appearance tendencies have socio-economic implications. Sociopaths generally appear "rougher" looking or street-wise, perhaps more unkempt and as if they come from "blue-collar," poorer, disadvantaged backgrounds. They are more likely to appear as if they live on the "fringes" of society.

We might think of the psychopath's general appearance, on the other hand, to be associated with being more clean-cut, polished and a "white-collar," middle-upper class background. It's more likely that psychopaths are working and not resorting to crime to survive.

Level of intelligence and education
Continuing in an effort to flesh out sociological distinctions between the two, we may also expect the sociopaths to be less educated because of their disadvantaged background and also be less verbal ? having less command of the English language. Having been raised in a poor, urban, drug infested, gang and crime ridden environment is far cry from what it's like in middle-upper class suburbia. Sociopaths might also be less intelligent as measured by traditional intelligence testing instruments.

Psychopaths, in contrast, are known to often present as articulate, charming and charismatic.

Style/ Modus-operandi (MO)
There is a dramatic contrast between how the sociopath and psychopath operate in the world. We often see the sociopath acting out in public with reckless disregard for safety of self or others. We can say his anti-social behavior is extremely overt and tends to act impulsively and fails to plan ahead.

The MO of the psychopath is completely different. The psychopath operates covertly, in secrecy and is extremely calculated and sophisticated in his planning. S/he does not act impulsively and carefully plans ahead as to who s/he will prey on and as to exactly how and what they are going to do to the people they prey on.

Motivation
As previously stated, the sociopath's behavior is described as acting with blatant disregard for who's around, overtly, impulsively, that is, without forethought, without remorse, in ways commonly associated with anti-social behavior. It's they way they've learned to survive in the world. If they want something, they'll just take it. If they want sex, they'll rape someone, someone easy or in close proximity. If angry, they'll become violent, they operate without any internal controls.

As previously stated, the psychopath operates covertly, is careful and methodical and selects his prey with an elaborate plan in mind. The psychopath's motivations appears to be power driven. S/he gets off on control, manipulation, humiliation, and is a master at reading and exploiting other people's vulnerability. Their crimes tend to be more ritualistic and involve torture. Compared to sociopaths, psychopaths are masters of deception while sociopaths are known to lack that kind of sophistication.

Criminal History
We'd expect sociopaths to have extensive criminal histories filled with assaults, robberies, rapes and murders. The overwhelming majority have contributing drug/alcohol problems, whether they are using, dealing or both. The sociopath's modus-operandi tends to be overt and care little about exposure.

Psychopaths usually have shorter criminal records as less people are aware of what they are doing. Since their modus-operandi is of a covert nature, it's less likely they'd be arrested. They are not going to get caught as quickly. They operate covertly, making sure they can not be seen or exposed.

Are these distinctions adequate enough to make two separate diagnoses or are they to be treated as two distinct disorders? It would seem so as there are profound treatment and diagnostic implications. While it appears that there is some overlap, there are as many, if not more differences between the two, that they are not one and the same.

As Hare stated, "An unfortunate consequence of the ambiguity inherent in the DSM-IV is likely to be a court case in which one clinician says the defendant meets the DSM-IV definition of ASPD, another clinician say he does not, and both are right! The first clinician uses only the formal diagnostic criteria whereas the second agrees that the defendant meets the formal criteria but argues that he or she dos not have the personality traits described in the "Associated Features" section of the DSM-IV text. The failure to differentiate between psychopathy and ASPD can have serious consequences for clinicians, psychiatric patients and society as well."

Perhaps this situation-an unfortunate and unnecessary one in my view- will be rectified in DSM-V. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that interpersonal and affective traits are more discriminating of the construct of psychopathy than they are the socially deviant behaviors reflected in the DSM-IV criteria for ASPD (Cooke)."

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

"The DSM-IV has both disorders; psychopath and sociopath lumped together under 301.7 Antisocial Personality." This I cut from your article.

Your own article defeats your argument. THE DIAGNOSTIC & STATISTICAL MANUAL, 4th EDITION is the referee NOT Mr.Linder. Not you. Not me.

You dont have to like it, you dont have to agree...but you nor Linder have any standing to dispute it.

I mean, if you march into the offices of the American Psychiatric Association and tell them theyre fucking wrong, they'll say...who in the fuck are you? And you can explain how you took a psychology course in high school.

 

[Marquis]

The DSM-IV has both disorders; psychopath and sociopath lumped together under 301.7 Antisocial Personality.

The DSM-IV is the final authority on such definitions and the article you've posted is an editorial by an author with questionable credibility at best.

I'm surprised you didn't pick up on this, being that you took psychology in high school.

 

[lil_slave_rose]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

"The DSM-IV has both disorders; psychopath and sociopath lumped together under 301.7 Antisocial Personality." This I cut from your article.

Your own article defeats your argument. THE DIAGNOSTIC & STATISTICAL MANUAL, 4th EDITION is the referee NOT Mr.Linder. Not you. Not me.

You dont have to like it, you dont have to agree...but you nor Linder have any standing to dispute it.

I mean, if you march into the offices of the American Psychiatric Association and tell them theyre fucking wrong, they'll say...who in the fuck are you? And you can explain how you took a psychology course in high school.

*sighs* you missed the whole point of the article...i give up, as i said you like to argue, and i'm just not up for it.....enjoy yourself

 

[Marquis]

LIL SLAVE ROSE

"The DSM-IV has both disorders; psychopath and sociopath lumped together under 301.7 Antisocial Personality." This I cut from your article.

Your own article defeats your argument. THE DIAGNOSTIC & STATISTICAL MANUAL, 4th EDITION is the referee NOT Mr.Linder. Not you. Not me.

You dont have to like it, you dont have to agree...but you nor Linder have any standing to dispute it.

I mean, if you march into the offices of the American Psychiatric Association and tell them theyre fucking wrong, they'll say...who in the fuck are you? And you can explain how you took a psychology course in high school.

Ooooh, yours is way better!

 

[Marquis]

*sighs* you missed the whole point of the article...i give up, as i said you like to argue, and i'm just not up for it.....enjoy yourself

I'll never understand this.

Why is it so hard for people to say,

"Hey, looks like I was wrong. Thanks for letting me know!"

We're all wrong every once in a while, even the best of us.

It's OK.

 

[tanijaana]

You know, I've been bipolar since I was 15, stopped taking the medication when I was 18, and I haven't had any major problems since then. Sure, I have the occasional mood swings (which are very manageable since I pay close attention to myself), but I have never cheated on, robbed, assaulted, or killed anyone. In fact, I have learned to use my mood swings to my advantage. Research and outside activities during manic periods, meditation and housework during depressive periods, everyday random activities during the quiet times... It can definitely be done.

I guess I am just repeating what many others in this thread have already stated; bipolar people are not all alike, and trying to lump us into one group only causes more problems both for the accusers and the accused.

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

Deleted. Due to wasting my own time trying to explain why word usage on an international scale is important.

Shy, I understand why you deleted the post. I might also suggest that it's for a similar reason that I worded my own reply with great care then stepped back from this thread.

I'll be very clear however, we remain simpatico on the topic.

 

[graceanne]

As much as I detest politcal correctness (it's gotten ridiculous), I was always trained that calling someone who's developmentally challenged 'retarded' was rude. I was also trained that calling someone who isn't developmentally challenged a 'retard' was an insult - not just to them, but to the developmentally challenged. I don't think this is a united states thing, but a geographical thing. `

On the other hand, the developmentally challenged used to be called mentally handicapped when i was in grade school. I just wish someone would find a term that no one ever finds abhorant, cause keeping up with the changes is confusing.

 

[catalina_francisco]

*sighs* you missed the whole point of the article...i give up, as i said you like to argue, and i'm just not up for it.....enjoy yourself

Does this help explain what you are saying?

ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY, SOCIOPATHY, AND PSYCHOPATHY
"When I'm good, I'm very good. When I'm bad, I'm better." (Mae West)

People who cannot contain their urges to harm (or kill) people repeatedly for no apparent reason are assumed to suffer from some mental illness. However, they may be more cruel than crazy, they may be choosing not to control their urges, they know right from wrong, they know exactly what they're doing, and they are definitely NOT insane, at least according to the consensus of most scholars (Samenow 2004). In such cases, they usually fall into one of three types that are typically considered aggravating circumstances in addition to their legal guilt -- antisocial personality disorder (APD), sociopath, or psychopath -- none of which are the same as insanity or psychosis. APD is the most common type, afflicting about 4% of the general population. Sociopaths are the second most common type, with the American Psychiatric Association estimating that 3% of all males in our society are sociopaths and Stout (2005) estimating 4% of the population. Psychopaths are rare, found in perhaps 1% of the population.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) is practically synonymous with criminal behavior, but as with all distributions of a disease or whatever in a population, it is probable that the majority of people with this particular affliction are law-abiding. Aging, overinvolvements, and/or relationships might hold sway over the control (or lack of control) in these kind of people, and although approaching the study of offenders from a relationship & personality disorders point of view may or may not be productive, Dr. Drew is probably an adequate source of information on such matters. Dr. Drew's theory (and one with wide ramifications since he pretty much defines an antisocial tendency as thinking about one's self first) is that women with certain kinds of disorders, like borderline personality disorders, tend to be attracted to and hook up with men who manifest symptoms of psychopathic personality disorder (see Lecture on BPD & OCD) and that such match-ups may or may not be dysfunctional. On the other hand, the field of criminology tends to treat APD as so synonymous, in fact, with criminal behavior that practically all convicted criminals (65-75%) have it, with criminologists often referring to it as a "wastebasket" category. Antisocials come is all shapes and sizes, and psychologists consider the juvenile version of it to be a juvenile conduct disorder. The main characteristic of it is a complete and utter disregard for the rights of others and the rules of society. They seldom show anxiety and don't feel guilt. Although many people would hope that there's an effective treatment, there's really no effective treatment for them other than locking them up in a secure facility with such rigid rules that they cannot talk their way out. A full list of APD traits would include:

List of Antisocial Personality Disorder Traits
Sense of entitlement; Unremorseful; Apathetic to others; Unconscionable behavior; Blameful of others; Manipulative and conning; Affectively cold; Disparate understanding; Socially irresponsible; Disregardful of obligations; Nonconforming to norms; Irresponsible

whereas the DSM-IV "clinical" features of Antisocial Personality Disorder (with a person having at least three of these characteristics) are:

Clinical Symptoms for an Antisocial Personality Disorder Diagnosis
1. Failure to conform to social norms; 2. Deceitfulness, manipulativeness; 3. Impulsivity, failure to plan ahead; 4. Irritability, aggressiveness; 5. Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others; 6. Consistent irresponsibility; 7. Lack of remorse after having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another person

Sociopathy is chiefly characterized by something wrong with the person's conscience. They either don't have one, it's full of holes like Swiss cheese, or they are somehow able to completely neutralize or negate any sense of conscience or future time perspective. Sociopaths only care about fulfilling their own needs and desires - selfishness and egocentricity to the extreme. Everything and everybody else is mentally twisted around in their minds as objects to be used in fulfilling their own needs and desires. They often believe they are doing something good for society, or at least nothing that bad. The term "sociopath" is frequently used by psychologists and sociologists alike in referring to persons whose unsocialized character is due primarily to parental failures (usually fatherlessness) rather than an inherent feature of temperament. Lykken (1995), for example, clearly distinguishes between the sociopath (who is socialized into becoming a psychopath) and a "true" psychopath (who is born that way). However, this may only describe the "common sociopath", as there are at least four (4) different subtypes -- common, alienated, aggressive, and dyssocial. Commons are characterized mostly by their lack of conscience; the alienated by their inability to love or be loved; aggressives by a consistent sadistic streak; and dyssocials by an ability to abide by gang rules, as long as those rules are the wrong rules. As Stout (2005) indicates, it only takes three of the following to be defined as a sociopath, and some common sociopathic traits include:

List of Common Sociopathic Traits
Egocentricity; Callousness; Impulsivity; Conscience defect; Exaggerated sexuality; Excessive boasting; Risk taking; Inability to resist temptation; Antagonistic, deprecating attitude toward the opposite sex; Lack of interest in bonding with a mate

Psychopathy is a concept subject to much debate, but is usually defined as a constellation of affective, interpersonal, and behavioral characteristics including egocentricity; impulsivity; irresponsibility; shallow emotions; lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse; pathological lying; manipulativeness; and the persistent violation of social norms and expectations (Cleckley 1976; Hare 1993). The crimes of psychopaths are usually stone-cold, remorseless killings for no apparent reason. They cold-bloodedly take what they want and do as they please without the slightest sense of guilt or regret. In many ways, they are natural-born intraspecies predators who satisfy their lust for power and control by charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence. While almost all societies would regard them as criminals (the exception being frontier or warlike societies where they might become heroes, patriots, or leaders), it's important to distinguish their behavior from criminal behavior. As a common axiom goes in psychology, MOST PSYCHOPATHS ARE ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITIES BUT NOT ALL ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITIES ARE PSYCHOPATHS. This is because APD is defined mainly by behaviors (Factor 2 antisocial behaviors) and doesn't tap the affective/interpersonal dimensions (Factor 1 core psychopathic features, narcissism) of psychopathy. Further, criminals and APDs tend to "age out" of crime; psychopaths do not, and are at high risk of recidivism. Psychopaths love to intellectualize in treatment with their half-baked understanding of rules. Like the Star Trek character, Spock, their reasoning cannot handle any mix of cognition and emotion. They are calculating predators who, when trapped, will attempt escape, create a nuisance and danger to staff, be a disruptive influence on other patients or inmates, and fake symptoms to get transferred, bouncing back and forth between institutions. The common features of psychopathic traits (the PCL-R items) are:

List of Common Psychopathic Traits
Glib and superficial charm; Grandiose sense of self-worth; Need for stimulation; Pathological lying; Conning and manipulativeness; Lack of remorse or guilt; Shallow affect; Callousness and lack of empathy; Parasitic lifestyle; Poor behavioral controls; Promiscuous sexual behavior; Early behavior problems; Lack of realistic, long-term goals; Impulsivity; Irresponsibility; Failure to accept responsibility for own actions; Many short-term marital relationships; Juvenile delinquency; Revocation of conditional release; Criminal versatility

In addition to these most well-known types, there have been criminologists who have put forward additional constructs. They are only mentioned here because of their relevance to serial criminals, and the interesting similarity in the way they compare to the FBI's "disorganized - organized" typology.

EPISODIC AGGRESSION AND SOCIOPATHY COMPARED

Disorganized Episodic Aggression:


Organized Sociopathic Hatred:
Ritualistic behavior Superficial charm and "good" intelligence
Attempts to conceal mental instability Absence of delusions and other signs of irrational behavior
Compulsivity Absence of "nervousness" or psychoneurotic manifestations
Periodic search for help unreliability
Severe memory disorders and an inability to tell the truth untruthfulness and insincerity
Suicidal tendencies lack of remorse or shame
History of committing assault inadequately motivated antisocial behavior
Hypersexuality and abnormal sexual behavior poor judgment and failure to learn by experience
Head injuries; injuries suffered at birth pathological egocentricity and incapacity for love
History of chronic drug or alcohol abuse general poverty in major affective reactions
Parents with history of chronic drug or alcohol abuse specific loss of insight
Victim of childhood physical or mental abuse unresponsiveness in general interpersonal relations
Result of an unwanted pregnancy fantastic and uninviting behavior with and sometimes without drink
Product of a difficult gestation for mother suicide rarely carried out
Unhappiness in childhood resulted in inability to find happiness sex life impersonal, trivial, and poorly integrated
Extraordinary cruelty to animals failure to follow any life plan
Attraction to arson without homicidal interest
Symptoms of neurological impairment
Evidence of genetic disorder
Biochemical symptoms
Feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy

The patterns of episodic aggressive behavior scale is derived from Joel Norris (1990) Serial Killers, London: Arrow Books and also reproduced in Brian Lane & Wilfred Gregg (1992) The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, NY: Berkeley Books. This particular sociopathic checklist is found in numerous places but extensively featured in both of Samenow's works in the 1970s on criminal personality (thinking errors).

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER

The diagnosis of APD has long been controversial. The criteria for it seem to change with each and every new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I 1968; DSM-II 1976; DSM-III 1980; DSM-III-R 1987; DSM-IV 1994). The diagnosis was substantially changed with DSM-III when the APA decided to distinguish between child and adult characteristics, and essentially substituted behavioral criteria (like truancy or law violations) for personality criteria (like callousness and selfishness). In the DSM-III-R (R for Revised), the focus was on violence and a list of violent acts (fighting, cruelty to others, cruelty to animals). The current DSM-IV approach essentially says that anything which is not sociopathy, psychopathy or dyssocial personality disorder is antisocial personality disorder, but there is considerable overlap. The diagnostic possibilities are endless; there are at least 3 million possible variations of symptoms on at least 62 different measurable items.

Ongoing research is quite prolific into the factor or principal components analysis of APD characteristics. Most forensic experts believe there are 3-4 factors (groupings of symptoms). One factor involves symptoms that cluster around what might be called a Lack of Planning (promiscuous, irresponsible, impulsive traits and behavior). Another factor clusters around the notion of Disregard for Others. A third factor is clearly related to Adult Criminality. A fourth factor is clearly related to Juvenile Delinquency. Impulsivity appears to be a prototypical (core) feature, but it can take many forms. Definitions of impulsivity are numerous -- a tendency to act without reflection; dysfunctional information processing; a tendency for risk taking; sensation seeking; and an inability to sustain attention. Rating scales are easily available to measure these.

The incidence of APD is twice as high for inner-city residents than in small towns or rural areas, and five times higher in males than in females. It affects people in all social classes, but if someone with APD is born into a family of wealth and privilege, they will usually manage to eek out a successful business or political career. Poorer people with APD tend to wind up in state prison systems. Since African-Americans are seven times more likely to be represented in state prison systems, it's tempting to speculate the incidence of APD among African-Americans is high. However, there are most likely other causes of crime among African-Americans (like unemployment and racism). The fact is that most of the current prison population, white or black, shares the APD diagnosis. All it takes is a juvenile record, an adult offense career, aggressivity, impulsivity, a checkered work history, and/or lack of demonstrable repentance. These can be easily found in almost any prison inmate's dossier.

One of the things closely related to APD is the comorbidity of alcoholism and narcotic addiction. Some of the criteria for a substance abuse disorder are very similar: theft, hazardous behavior, failure to fulfill role functions in home, school, and work. A strong correlation exists between substance abuse and factor 2 (antisocial behaviors) of the psychopathy construct. APDs with a drug addiction have some serious substance abuse problems -- the kind that lead to death by overdose or accident within five years. Are APD and narcotic addiction part of the same disorder, does one lead to the other, or are they are spuriously linked together? From what little research there is, it appears that most of the time, APD precedes narcotic addiction, although some of the time, addiction leads to APD behaviors. People with such comorbid characteristics also usually have undiagnosed other Axis I and Axis II disorders.

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIOPATH

From the wild Irish slums of the 19th Century Eastern seaboard to the riot-torn anomic neighborhoods of Los Angeles, our society has always produced sociopaths who are quite often the products of illegitimacy, broken homes, and a lack of any bonding with male or societal authority. Some 70% of sociopaths come from fatherless homes. Father absence produces many consequences similar to the symptoms of sociopathy -- early, precocious sexuality; antagonistic, deprecating attitude toward the opposite sex; lack of interest in bonding with a durable, stable mate; aggressive acting-out; excessive boasting; and risk-taking behavior. Some 30% of children today are born out-of-wedlock, and another 30% live in divorced homes. These conditions - a problem of unsocialization - produce sociopathy. Furthermore, sociopaths tend to reproduce themselves, that is, they produce more than own their share of illegitimate offspring themselves.

So what is a sociopath? You won't find criteria in the DSM IV or official psychiatric nomenclature, but the construct refers to the largest subgroup of APDs. Most are males, but an increasing number are female. They have otherwise normal temperaments (as opposed to psychopaths who have abnormal temperaments). Some are aggressive, fearless sensation seekers, and others are Machiavellian manipulators. A Machiavellian is a personality type who is a cross between an antisocial personality and a narcissist, and someone who also has an extremely high sense of entitlement. The one thing that all sociopaths have in common is that they are "too much" to handle for their parents or anyone else. It's common to refer to them as unsocialized, but the dyssocial sociopath does socialize to the mores and values of a dyssocial outgroup, like a gang. Let's explore the four (4) subtypes of sociopaths:

COMMON SOCIOPATHS are the largest subtype and have a weak or unelaborated conscience. They are not ashamed by the same things as you or I would be ashamed of. They are like feral children grown up, taking pleasures and gratifying impulses at every opportunity or temptation. They especially enjoy and take pride in bending or breaking the rules. As teenagers, they are often runaways. As adults, they are often geographically mobile, living in shelters, or taking advantage of welfare systems. They are experienced shoplifters. They have quite active sex lives. They are usually of average intelligence, but don't do well in school and never seem to break out of low-paying dead-end jobs. Nevertheless, they seem genuinely happy with their lives, unburdened by any sense of negative self-worth or the fact that they have not been a functional, contributing member of society.

ALIENATED SOCIOPATHS have never developed the ability to love, empathize, or affiliate in real life with another person. They will show more emotion toward their pet or a personal artifact than toward a person. Or, they may hate animals and live out their emotional life by watching TV (identification with soap opera characters is a common pattern). Dating and marriage relationships will be very barren and empty. They won't get along with the neighbors. They live in a shell. They have a cold, callous attitude toward human suffering or any social problem in the society they live in. They just don't care because it's outside their range of empathy. Most will believe they are justified in this because they feel they were cheated in some way themselves by society, and a few will be more than happy to rant and rave about it to anyone who listens. They are chronic complainers, and underneath it all, they would like to see nothing better than all of society destroyed.

AGGRESSIVE SOCIOPATHS derive strong, yet nonperverse gratification from harming others. They like to hurt, frighten, tyrannize, bully, and manipulate. They do it for a sense of power and control, and will often only drop subtle hints about what they are up to. They polish their aggressive, domineering manner in such a way to disguise any intimidation others might feel. They seek out positions of power, such as parent, teacher, bureaucrat, supervisor, or police officer. Their style is one of passive aggression as they systematically go about sabotaging the ideas of others to get their ideas in place. In their spare time, they like to hunt or occasionally do sadistic things like find stray dogs and cut them up. They are usually effective at getting their way, and are especially vindictive if resisted or crossed. They don't follow the social norm of reciprocity like others do.

DYSSOCIAL SOCIOPATHS identify and hold an allegiance with a dyssocial, outcast, or predatory subculture. Any subculture will do, as long as it runs counter to established authority. They are capable of intense loyalty, and even a feeling of guilt and shame, within such limited circles. They seem to continually fall upon bad luck and bad companions, however. While they will constantly complain that none of this is their fault, behind it all is a kind of self-defeating mechanism in the poor choices they made themselves.

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOPATH

Psychopaths cannot be understood in terms of antisocial rearing or development. They are simply morally depraved individuals who represent the "monsters" in our society. They are unstoppable and untreatable predators whose violence is planned, purposeful and emotionless. The violence continues until it reaches a plateau at age 50 or so, then tapers off. Their emotionlessness reflects a detached, fearless, and possibly dissociated state, revealing a lower autonomic nervous system and lack of anxiety. It's difficult to say what motivates them - control and dominance possibly - since their life history will usually show no bonds with others nor much rhyme to their reason (other than the planning of violence). They tend to operate with a grandiose demeanor, an attitude of entitlement, an insatiable appetite, and a tendency toward sadism. Fearlessness is probably the prototypical (core) characteristic (the low-fear hypothesis). It's helpful to think of them as high-speed vehicles with ineffective brakes. Certain organic (brain) disorders and hormonal imbalances mimic the state of mind of a psychopath.

There are four (4) different subtypes of psychopaths. The oldest distinction was made by Cleckley back in 1941 between primary and secondary. However, we'll explore the other two subtypes first:

DISTEMPERED PSYCHOPATHS are the kind that seem to fly into a rage or frenzy more easily and more often than other subtypes. Their frenzy will resemble an epileptic fit. They are also usually men with incredibly strong sex drives, capable of astonishing feats of sexual energy, and seemingly obsessed by sexual urges during a large part of their waking lives. Powerful cravings also seem to characterize them, as in drug addiction, kleptomania, pedophilia, any illicit or illegal indulgence. They like the endorphin "high" or "rush" off of excitement and risk-taking. The serial-rapist-murderer known as the Boston Strangler was such a psychopath.

CHARISMATIC PSYCHOPATHS are charming, attractive liars. They are usually gifted at some talent or another, and they use it to their advantage in manipulating others. They are usually fast-talkers, and possess an almost demonic ability to persuade others out of everything they own, even their lives. Leaders of religious sects or cults, for example, might be psychopaths if they lead their followers to their deaths. This subtype often comes to believe in their own fictions. They are irresistible.

PRIMARY PSYCHOPATHS do not respond to punishment, apprehension, stress, or disapproval. They seem to be able to inhibit their antisocial impulses most of the time, not because of conscience, but because it suits their purpose at the time. Words do not seem to have the same meaning for them as they do for us. In fact, it's unclear if they even grasp the meaning of their own words, a condition that Cleckley called "semantic aphasia." They don't follow any life plan, and it seems as if they are incapable of experiencing any genuine emotion.

SECONDARY PSYCHOPATHS are risk-takers, but are also more likely to be stress-reactive, worriers, and guilt-prone. They expose themselves to more stress than the average person, but they are as vulnerable to stress as the average person. They are daring, adventurous, unconventional people who began playing by their own rules early in life. They are strongly driven by a desire to escape or avoid pain, but are unable to resist temptation. As their anxiety increases toward some forbidden object, so does their attraction to it. They live their lives by the lure of temptation.

Hare's PCL-R 20-item checklist is based on Cleckley's 16-item checklist, and the following is a discussion of the concepts in the PCL-R:

1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.

2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.

3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.

4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.

5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.

6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.

7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.

10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.

13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.

16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.

20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.

INTERNET RESOURCES
The Antisocial Personality Disorder Homepage
Can Criminal Psychopaths be Identified?
Dr. Hare's Psychopathy/Antisocial Personality Confusion article
Dr. Stanton Samenow's Home Page
The Internet Danger Zone: Psychopaths or Sociopaths

PRINTED RESOURCES
Black, D. & Larson, L. (2000). Bad Boys, Bad Men: Confronting Antisocial Personality Disorder. NY: Oxford Univ. Press.
Cleckley, Hervey (1903-1984). The Mask of Sanity, Fifth Edition, 1988. Previous editions copyrighted 1941, 1950, 1955, 1964, 1976 by St. Louis: Mosby Co.
Fishbein, D. (2000). (ed.) The Science, Treatment, and Prevention of Antisocial Behaviors. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute.
Giannangelo, S. (1996). The Psychopathology of Serial Murder. Westport: Praeger.
Hare, R. (1991). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems.
Hare, R. (1996). Psychopathy: A clinical construct whose time has come. Criminal Justice and Behavior 23:25-54.
Hare, R. (1999). Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths among us. NY: Guilford Press.
Jenkins, R. (1960). The psychopath or antisocial personality. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 131:318-34.
Lykken, D. (1995) The Antisocial Personalities. Hillsdale: Erlbaum.
McCord W. & J. (1964). The Psychopath: An Essay on the Criminal Mind. Princeton: Van Nostrand.
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Owen, D. (2004). Criminal Minds: The Science and Psychology of Profiling. NY: Barnes & Noble Books.
Petherick, W. (2005). The Science of Criminal Profiling. NY: Barnes & Noble Books.
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Reid, W., Walker, J., & Dorr, D. (Eds.) (1986). Unmasking the Psychopath: Antisocial Personality and Related Syndromes. NY: Norton.
Rogers, R., R. Salekin, K. Sewell & K. Cruise. (2000). Prototypical analysis of antisocial personality disorder. Criminal Justice and Behavior 27(2) 234-55.
Samenow, S. (2002). Straight Talk about Criminals: Understanding and Treating Antisocial Behavior. NY: Jason Aronson.
Samenow, S. (2004). Inside the Criminal Mind. NY: Random House.
Sher, K. & Trull, T. (1994). Personality and disinhibitory psychopathology: Alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 103:92-102.
Stout, M. (2005). The Sociopath Next Door. NY: Broadway.
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Wolman, B. (1999). Antisocial Behavior: Personality Disorders from Hostility to Homicide. NY: Prometheus Books.

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