We know only too well that by far the majority of psychopaths are men. Or at least we think we know that. Could it be that the criteria used to identify psychopaths are biased towards men? After all Hare began his work in male prison.
Think about it. While behaving and being the way the PCL-R without doubt earns one the label psychopath, this is simply a list of symptoms. It says nothing about the underlying dynamics. If psychopathy is life centered on the principle of power (as opposed to love) and if it is therefore characterised by what Liane Leedom nicely calls ‘warped empathy‘, then wouldn’t you expect there to be more or less the same number of woman as men psychopaths? And wouldn’t you expect them to come across differently?
I am beginning to wonder whether there may be two broad types of psychopathy – a ‘male’-type and a ‘female’-type. I place these in quotes because, when I think about it, men with might be thought of as ‘female’ psychopathy come to mind and we all know about women with ‘male’ psychopathy. And yet, at the risk of being un-PC, I want to maintain these descriptors for now so that the difference I think I see doesn’t disappear.
A ‘female’ psychopath would not necessarily commit crimianl/antisocial acts like her male counterpart, but she woud be as power-driven, as toxically narcissistic as a ‘male’ psychopath. The control, the manipulation, the dishonesty, the selfishness, the callousness – all these would be present, but we might not recognise them for what they are because of 1. media portrayal and 2. medical diagnosis of psychopaths. The difference would come in the gendered style of their behaviour.
In my clinical work I have come across this phenomenon. For example, a woman I now consider to be of the ‘female’-type of psychopath didn’t come close to committing a crime and yet the way she mothered her daughter, my patient, came close to destroying the child’s mind. This seems to me to be a perversion of motherhood eqivalent to the perversion of fatherhood we read about on this website.
Do readers have any comments? I’m particularly interested in any examples you might have of how ‘female’ psychopathy – if such a thing does exist – manifests itself?
callmeathena
Star, Oxy
Yes, going to the gym is a great release. As is gardening and dealing with my potted plants.
Now that winter is here, I need to find another reason (other than work & gym) to get out and shake things up. I think getting on a flight is good, but not necessary. There are millions in my city. Must be one or two worth my time. LOL.
Alex
yes my grammer is horrible sorry i just get thinking and typing. i got caught up in the fact that people act like because your a man it shouldnt bother you, nobody really takes it serious, this is all fresh for me its just in the past couple of weeks with some help from friends that i have been able to try and get a direction, i tried to post a short story of what happened and it was ignored completely? so yes look at my posts read my story i didnt come here for a fight i came here to learn, and honestly am shocked with the response so far if in anyway if i offended anyone i am sorry. And as for slamming me for giving advice everyone has there opinions i was just voicing mine and i shouldnt be in my current situation. So if we can start fresh please read about my experience and i would like to receive feedback
darwinsmom
Alex,
I tried to read it. But without punctuation and periods and capitals and paragraphs it is very hard to concentrate on it.
I have to finish the last math exam and then catch a few hours of sleep. I’ll try to read it again tomorrow.
Alex
i will slow down and work on puncuation my mind just gets going thinking about this
darwinsmom
Alex,
It might help to write it first in notepad. You’ll have a bigger screen to write in, and a better overview. Then take a step back, and just look at the text without readig it. It becomes easier then if text will become just a blur of letters or easy separated parts.
Stargazer
Athena, I have been going to the gym regularly for about a year and a half, give or take a few breaks. I hate the gym, but the feeling of accomplishment and strength in my body is a good one.
Alex, sounds like you are just fresh out of the relationship with your spath, and haven’t been away even long enough for the confusion to clear. But I love your attitude about moving on. I think it takes will and determination to move past a horror like what you’ve been through. It’s troubling to me that you perceive posts here as being anti-male, and I will try my best not to feed your perception. If you’re not liking the reception you get here, at least read some of the articles – they may be of help to you.
Alex
trust me stargazer i have been reading its keeping me sane right now
Alex
found this today on buzzle.com
She Did You Wrong Because You Asked for It!
Blame her for making your life difficult and be prepared to make it more worse! She will either trap you with her fake stories and lies once again to give justification for what has happened, or she will blame you in return. She will never take responsibility for her actions and she will never agree to the fact that she is to be blamed for anything wrong. She can also show behavioral signs like anger, frustration, shouting, abusing and becoming highly aggressive.
wow that hit me on the nose
Alex
also didnt know there where more types
there are at least four (4) different subtypes — common, alienated, aggressive, and dyssocial. Commons are characterized mostly by their lack of conscience; the alienated by their inability to love or be loved; aggressives by a consistent sadistic streak; and dyssocials by an ability to abide by gang rules, as long as those rules are the wrong rules.
Alex
2 year old love fraud article
There is actually very little research data available regarding sociopathy in non-criminals and in women. The little research that has been done reveals that sociopathy in women entails two or three main features that are similar to those found in men. Namely, female sociopaths lack empathy and enjoy manipulating and exploiting others. Violent and impulsive behavior is less common in sociopathic women. This fact may make them more dangerous, as they more easily blend in with the rest of society.
The teens were callous and lacked empathy, had a grandiose sense of self worth and were conning and manipulative. They were also likely to engage in impersonal sexual relationships. Importantly, the researchers revealed that female sociopaths did not necessarily have “shallow emotions.” Again the lack of impulsivity and shallow emotions may make a female sociopath more difficult to spot.
Notice that female sociopaths victimize other women as well as men. This vignette illustrates many of the core qualities of a female sociopath.
Women who are sociopaths may not appear as shallow as men who are sociopaths. They are also less angry and impulsive compared to men. Although violence is less commonly perpetrated by women, if you are the victim, these statistics don’t matter.