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Psychopathy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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psychopathy

[saɪˈkɒpəθi ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

mental health

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. Individuals with psychopathy may also exhibit superficial charm and a propensity for manipulation.

Synonyms

antisocial personality disorder, personality disorder, sociopathy.

Examples of usage

  • His psychopathy led him to commit numerous crimes without guilt.
  • Psychopathy can be difficult to diagnose due to its subtle symptoms.
  • Many people mistake confidence for psychopathy, but they are not the same.
  • The study of psychopathy is important for understanding criminal behavior.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Individuals diagnosed often lack empathy, which means they don't understand or care about the feelings of others.
  • Research suggests that psychopathy is highly hereditary, indicating that certain genetic factors may contribute to its development.
  • Studies show that psychopaths can be very charming and persuasive, allowing them to manipulate people around them effectively.

Criminal Justice

  • Many famous criminals, including some serial killers, have been diagnosed with psychopathic traits.
  • The Hare Psychopathy Checklist is a common assessment tool used by professionals in criminal justice to identify psychopathy in individuals.
  • Psychopathy is often viewed as a significant risk factor for violent criminal behavior, though not all psychopaths commit crimes.

Pop Culture

  • Films like 'Psycho' and characters like Hannibal Lecter portray psychopathy, often emphasizing the chilling lack of emotion associated with the disorder.
  • The phrase 'psychopath' is frequently used in media to describe villains, creating an association between the term and evil behavior.

Literature

  • Many classic literary characters are depicted with psychopathic traits, highlighting their manipulative and often romanticized nature, such as in 'Crime and Punishment' by Dostoevsky.
  • Contemporary novels, like 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis, explore the inner workings of a psychopathic mind, combining horror with social critique.

Origin of 'psychopathy'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning 'mind' and 'pathos' meaning 'suffering' or 'disease'.
  • Originally, it was used to describe individuals with emotional issues, but over time the meaning shifted to refer to manipulative or antisocial behaviors.

The term 'psychopathy' originates from the Greek words 'psyche', meaning 'soul' or 'mind', and 'pathos', meaning 'suffering' or 'disease'. The word began to gain prominence in the early 20th century as psychologists and psychiatrists sought to categorize and study mental disorders. Initially, psychopathy was viewed as a moral or ethical deficiency rather than a psychological condition. Over time, it evolved into a clinical diagnosis, particularly in the context of criminal psychology, where researchers began to identify distinct behavioral traits associated with psychopathic individuals. The development of various diagnostic tools, including the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, has further refined the understanding of the disorder, allowing for a clearer distinction from other personality disorders.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,756, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.