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?
Stargazer
Okay, well I don’t know the whole story so I probably shouldn’t butt in – my apology. It’s been a while since I’ve had roommate drama in my life, so I apologize if I’m being insensitive to it. (The drama from my neighbors is bad enough!)
I was under the impression truthspeak had the offer of a free place to stay.
skylar
Star and Truth,
It’s a conundrum. We do have to focus on the positive, just as you said Star. Yet, never lose sight of the negatives.
It’s hard to do, being wise as serpents and innocent as doves, but I hope that’s what we are learning here on LF and on my site as well.
I know that being grateful is really important. It gives us hope and confidence.
Back_from_the_edge
Drama: Chaos: GET THEE AWAY FROM
ME SATAN!!!!! bluck!
strongawoman
Dupey doo, you ok?
strongawoman
Truthy,
I am hoping, praying, wishing, wanting, demanding justice for you and your son. Blessings indeed ……brightest of blessings to you. Let your light shine BERRRRIGHT!!!
Back_from_the_edge
(((strongawoman)))
I am doing just fine, thank you for asking.
How are you doing?
Are YOU doing alright?
I am absolutely in love with the past 11 days
of absolute peace and quiet. It leaves me just
wondering WHAT has created such a wonder?
I am almost recovered from breaking both little piggies…
the ones that go to the market? Yes, each on each foot,
at separate times. About all healed now. Thinking of steel
toed house slippers. hahahaha
Just happy and dancing, Lovey, that the big bad wolf is
finally staying away from me….
Tons of hugs to my Sister in Beautiful Yorkshire…
Dopey
Stargazer
Sky and Truth, it’s so hard to have no money or resources because it often puts you at the mercy of toxic people. I’ve had to live in low income neighorhoods most of my life, and it’s put me in contact with a lot of people who drain my resources. Not that poor people can’t also be nice, but there are a lot of toxic people in these low-income complexes. When I lived in Boulder with my ex whom I met in a Buddhist community, and also when I was in grad school in SF, I was exposed to some very fine people. I dated some, lived with some, and had many in my communities. This is how I know they exist and how I know I am one. But it does run you down to be constantly fighting with negativity in your surroundings, and it’s hard not to succumb to their drama. I’ve gotten down to zero good friends from my immediate neighborhood. I don’t have the answer to this conundrum. I just keep reaching for better things and I keep refining my vision for what I want in my life. I even dream about it at night. It’s all I know how to do. Very slowly, my life is beginning to match the dream.
There are ways in which my life of hardship has made me what I am today – in a good way – because of the incredible will and creativity it has taken to overcome all of it. I still see the positive side of the hardships I’ve suffered. I know I can survive anywhere in the world. I can make any place – even a tiny room in a storage shed – a home if I have to. I can live with little food, bad food, horrendous climactic conditions, and people not speaking my language. I can survive all kinds of things. I have some very refined friends (I’m thinking of my doctor friend) who have lived very sheltered lives and wouldn’t know how to survive if they found themselves in some of the places I’ve been. How lucky I am to have learned these lessons, even though I had to learn them the hard way. I feel grateful, even for the hardships in my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And I think I’m a pretty okay person. 🙂
strongawoman
Oh dear! You broke the other Piggies, lol. Ouch, how on earth did you manage that? Poor love, I’ve heard breaking a toe is rather painful. Hope they’re on the mend?
I am doing good, my friend thank you. School holidays are a blessing……lots of sleep and I’ve been watching loads of trashy tv as well as the Olympics. Love it. The Real Wives of Orange County is one of my fave tv progs from the US ….oh and Judge Judy. Haha….she is brilliant.
Oh Dupey I’m so glad to hear you’ve had some peace n quiet. Long may it reign ey!
strongawoman
….And A big Yorkshire smacker to you. My Sis in the good ole USofA, lol xx
one/joy_step_at_a_time
Sky – you said:”She had an adult man proposition the boy for sex.” WTF??????
siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiickoooooooooooooo. danger danger.