The term 'psychopath' is associated with those stereo typically 'bad'. Criminals. Lunatics. Mad men. It appears on the surface that psychopaths don't tend to have a significant impact on our lives because they're detached from our reality,outside of our society and communities. They're out there; In the big bad world. Hidden away in a news report or some online article your friend shared on Facebook. The definition of a psychopath even supports this stereo type. "A person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behaviour". However, what makes up a psychopath is not black and white, it lays on a spectrum. They're not all bad and they're closer than you think.
Some of the most successful people in the work force such as surgeons, barristers and politicians will almost always possess a psychotic trait. It is the way in which they harness their trait that allows them to be so successful. For example in business, the ability psychopaths have to turn down their empathy and block out other concerns make them the best operators in high pressure situations. It is common for psychopaths to go for these high status jobs because they enjoy power and the influence this means they have. I mean, if I was on trial, I'd want a psychopath to represent me too. I'd want someone who was able to rip people apart in the witness box and not think anything of it other than knowing that they're doing their job and they're doing it well. It is their fearlessness and ruthlessness which allows them to seize every opportunity without regret or fear of failure. Knowing how to use these characteristics to your advantage ensures academic success. Self confidence also pays contribution to a psychopath's success because their charisma and superficial charm is what makes manipulating the people around them a slice of cake.
Intelligence is key and knowing the rules of society is mandatory for survival. The thing with psychopaths is that they understand what you're thinking and the emotions you're feeling. They just don't feel it themselves and they simply don't care which gives them a great opportunity to use to their advantage. Chillingly, psychopaths are particularly adept at detecting vulnerability. They are impeccable at playing the game. Life is a game to these people and as far as they're concerned, they're winning. Being able to identify weakness whilst not possessing weakness is pretty astonishing. (I use the term weakness lightly)
Living with a psychopath for the past 6 years has allowed me to become familiar with some of the tactics, particularly manipulation through humiliation and intimidation. Tolerance is key when living with these types of people despite it being a definite inconvenience although, character building to say the least. A psychopathic parent has concerns about their child much like any other parent however this concern does not come from a place of love. They look at children as possessions like a car or flat screen TV. Of course you look after and maintain your car and TV, it is within your interests to uphold maintenance of your possessions. For instance, a psychotic parent will feed and bathe their child, a starving and smelly child is bound to be quite irritable and not to mention bound to cause you issues with social services and the law. A psychopath is good at reasoning, probably more so than the rest of us. According to philosopher Immanuel Kant, emotions are irrational and only get in the way of us making correct decisions, so if psychopaths don't face the obstacle of emotion then due to Kant they possess better rationality. A psychotic parent will take care of their child out of duty, it is obviously irrational to starve and neglect a child, it would only cause a series of issues. Suppose a psychotic parent is quite an unpleasant thought but thus far there has been no unbearable abuse. Perhaps functioning psychopaths aren't all that dangerous, or perhaps they're the most dangerous kind.
A non functioning psychopath for instance is bound to make irrational choices, such as taking part in crime or acting violently and dangerously. These psychopaths are more likely to get caught which makes them less dangerous. Maybe? These are the psychopaths we read about and hear about in the news. Acting recklessly and therefore getting caught. Should we be more concerned about the ones we aren't hearing about? The one's who aren't getting caught.
Are psychopaths really winning? Is emotion weakness? Do they feel pleasure in the way we do or are they closer to high performing robots? Questions I am yet to find answers to.
