Psychology for Dummies (67 page)

Wow, that’s quite a list, I know. But this checklist has become a real standard for evaluating people in court cases, prisons, and forensic hospitals. Some of these traits seem more “villainous” than the others and are worth taking a closer look at.

Two hallmarks of psychopaths is their smooth presentation and charm. They’re not easily embarrassed or even mildly self-conscious. They’re calm in social situations because they couldn’t care less about what other people think of them. Sometimes, they come off as if they’re the hottest things since sliced bread. They’re often full of themselves and see other people as inferior and easy prey. They’ll lie, cheat, and manipulate to get whatever it is they want, and they’ll do all of this with a coldness of heart. Psychopaths don’t feel remorseful or guilty for any of their transgressions and can sometimes be so cold that they are extremely ruthless, possessing no empathy for the suffering of others. Finally, a host of crimes that they have either been convicted of or have admitted to doing represent their criminal versatility. The range is impressive, from murder to fraud, forgery, kidnapping, arson, tax evasion. . . . Get the picture?

Digging into deviants

If you’re interested in more information, check out the following titles:

The Anatomy of Motive,
by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker (Wheeler Publishing)

Serial Offenders: Current Thoughts, Recent Findings,
edited by Louis B. Schlesinger (CRC Press)

Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives,
by Robert K. Ressler, Ann W. Burgess, John E. Douglas, and Horace J. Heafner (Simon & Schuster)