The Psychology Podcast 7: "What is it like to be a psychopath?"
Jan 18, 2015
Kent Kiehl, a cognitive neuroscientist and professor, dives into the fascinating world of psychopathy, drawing from his book, 'The Psychopath Whisperer.' He uncovers traits linked to this condition, revealing emotional challenges for those who work with psychopaths. Kiehl discusses how psychopathy intersects with genius and creativity, and explores historical figures and gender differences in behavior. He also highlights brain network function in psychopathy and suggests hopeful treatment avenues for managing this complex personality disorder.
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Research Assistant’s Prison Fear
- Kent Kiehl recalls a research assistant terrified after an inmate jokingly called him a "new lollipop" during a prison tour.
- This illustrates how working with psychopaths can be intimidating for many, requiring a special frame of mind.
Psychopathy as a Pervasive Trait
- Psychopathy is a trait marked by pervasive lack of empathy and impairment across all life areas.
- Having dark thoughts doesn't make one a psychopath unless these traits lead to significant dysfunction.
Psychopathy Threshold and Extremes
- Psychopathy is typically defined as scoring 30 or above on the Psychopathy Checklist.
- Individuals scoring 37 or above show qualitatively different social and emotional characteristics.
