Can psychopaths be a force for good? We often see them represented as violent or criminal. But some say that psychopathic traits are more widespread than we think, and could even be helpful sometimes.
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Money, power, control: women want it too!
Can psychopaths be a force for good? We often see them represented as violent or criminal. But some say that psychopathic traits are more widespread than we think, and could even be helpful sometimes.
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What's happening?
If you think of the word psychopath, who do you imagine? Patrick Bateman from American Psycho? Villanelle from Killing Eve? Or even Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil?
Most people think that female psychopaths are very rare. Some researchers even say there are 10 times as many male psychopaths as women.
But now some scientists say that female psychopaths could be up to five times more common than we think.
Common traitsA person's characteristics or qualities. in psychopaths include a lack of empathyThe capacity to understand and feel the suffering of others. and guilt, antisocial behaviour, narcissismExaggerated feelings of self-importance. and ruthlessnessNot worrying about pain caused to others. .
But many believe that women show psychopathy in a different way to men. Not all psychopaths will be violent or criminal - so people may not notice them.
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Some even think psychopathy can have its strengths. For example - surgeonsDoctors who are specially trained to perform medical operations. are more likely than average to be psychopaths, say scientists. This may help them when they are doing their job. They can stay calm in stressful situations and make tough decisions without being emotional.
But others say that it is dangerous to discuss the "good" sides of being a psychopath. We should not want people who do not care about others in powerful jobs, they say.
Can psychopaths be a force for good?
Yes! We often think it is unhuman not to care about others. But there are times when it may be helpful to put our feelings aside.
No! Psychopathic traits will always be dangerous. It is a bad idea to give psychopaths powerful jobs.
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Keywords
Traits - A person's characteristics or qualities.
Empathy - The capacity to understand and feel the suffering of others.
Narcissism - Exaggerated feelings of self-importance.
Ruthlessness - Not worrying about pain caused to others.
Surgeons - Doctors who are specially trained to perform medical operations.
Money, power, control: women want it too!
Ruthless: There may be as many female psychopaths (like Cruella above) as men. Glossary
Traits - A person's characteristics or qualities.
Empathy - The capacity to understand and feel the suffering of others.
Narcissism - Exaggerated feelings of self-importance.
Ruthlessness - Not worrying about pain caused to others.
Surgeons - Doctors who are specially trained to perform medical operations.