The figure of the psychopath fascinates as much as it worries. In Hollywood, he often takes on the role of a serial killer ready to murder his victims without any remorse. The Joker, awaiting trial for five murders in the film “Joker: Folie à Deux” released this Wednesday, is the perfect illustration of this. But far from being all bloodthirsty killers, psychopathic personalities are sometimes good people in all respects and integrated into society. And fortunately, since a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology in 2021 reveals that 1.2% of the population would suffer from psychopathy, based on the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) test.
The 20 characteristics that define a psychopath
This test, developed by psychologist Robert Hare in the early 1980s to identify psychopathic personality traits in individuals, is still used today mainly in prisons. It includes 20 characteristics, rated on a scale of 0 to 2 based on a clinical interview and personal information.
Among these criteria, superficiality, narcissism, repeated lies, manipulation, lack of remorse, empathy and control, impulsivity, irresponsibility for one’s actions or even difficulty maintaining relationships on the long term and the absence of objectives. A score above 33 is considered indicative of severe psychopathy.
“The psychopath is a very charming person, often endowed with great charisma, cunning, who can fool those around him and adapt to others, while being completely detached from his emotions and indifferent to the suffering of others , summarizes Alexandra Allegra Mijovic, psychocriminologist and psychotherapy practitioner. He is thoughtful and also knows how to show composure, unlike the sociopath for example whose behavior is more erratic. »
Predispositions to becoming a psychopath
More than a behavior that is built over the years, there are predispositions to becoming a psychopath. Their brain, first of all, works differently. A 2012 study from King’s College London showed less gray matter in the prefrontal cortex and temporal poles in people diagnosed with psychopathy. These regions are particularly associated with emotions or impulsive behavior.
Genetic variants also define the tendency to violence, notably the CDH13 and MAOA genes. If everyone can inherit them from their parents, not everyone manifests them, explains an article in the Cité des sciences.
Proof that psychopathy is not synonymous with criminality, the American neuroscientist James Fallon explains in the documentary “Is there a psychopath in us? », released on Arte in 2022, have the brain of a psychopath. The scientist discovered by chance, as part of another research, that his brain scan closely resembled that of the psychopathic killers he had already had the opportunity to study.
Childhood trauma as a risk factor
Through further research, he also found genetic traits associated with aggression and psychopathy. “I have some psychopathic characteristics (like manipulation), but I’m completely normal,” he says. If he did not become a dangerous criminal, he explains, it is probably thanks to the environment in which he evolved. A shock in childhood in particular can generate a series of biochemical alterations.
“100% of the people with psychopathic personalities that I have seen suffered trauma in their childhood, particularly in early relationships with those around them,” explains clinical psychologist specializing in psychocriminology Aline De Rolao. The child is mainly built in the relationship with his parents and when it is faulty, non-existent or rejecting, there can be consequences. »
Predispositions would therefore not be inevitable. Certain psychopathic character traits would even be an asset in certain professions, shows an Oxford study published in 2012, such as those of cooks, surgeons or CEOs.
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