There are different types of psychopaths according to studies carried out by various authors. The most decisive and important are those made by Schneider, Blackburn, Millon and Lykken. In this Psychology-Online article we will delve into the characteristics of each classification made by the different authors since it is very important to understand how they act to better understand psychopathy and, therefore, treat it with scientific rigor. Let's see the 26 types of psychopaths and their characteristics.
Index
- Types of psychopaths according to Schneider
- Types of psychopaths according to Blackburn
- Types of psychopaths according to Millon
- Types of psychopaths according to Lykken
Types of psychopaths according to Schneider.
Kurt Schneider was a German psychiatrist who developed a classification that corresponds to 10 different types of psychopaths that appeared published in his book "Psychopathic personalities" in 1943. To perform the classification is based on their personalities.
- Hyperthymic
- Depressive
- Unsure of themselves
- Fanatics
- In need of estimation
- Weak in spirit
- Explosives
- Soulless
- Abúlico
- Asthenics
1. Hyperthymic psychopaths
This group of psychopaths is characterized by having a fundamentally cheerful mood, they are also active and very optimistic people. They lack firmness and depth, they are reckless, easy to influence, and unfaithful. They easily incur crimes.
2. Depressive psychopaths
This group is characterized by having a reserved and depressive predisposition. Self-reproaches and doubts predominate, they are calm. The author subdivides depressive psychopaths into
- Melancholic
- Grumpy
- With paranoid features
3. Self-insecure psychopaths
Group characterized by its insecurity, motivated by internal shyness, especially on a physical and social level. Externally they show confident and arrogant. They often suffer from pangs of conscience. The author subdivides self-insecure psychopaths into two types:
- Sensitive
- Anankastics
4. Fanatic psychopaths
They are characterized by an active and expansive personality. They will not hesitate to commit crimes and acts contrary to social order. Schneider distinguishes several classes of fanatics, depending on what their purposes are:
- Personal (they fight for their right, real or supposed)
- Idealists (they hold demonstrations in favor of their program)
- Silent
- Eccentric
- Fantasists
5. Psychopaths in need of estimation
They are subjects who want to appear more than they are, they need to be noticed. Eccentric.
6. Lazy-spirited psychopaths
They change their moods abruptly, irritable and depressed mood. Impulsive reactions that end up causing a flight or alcoholic excesses. In the following article you will find more information about mood disorders.
7. Explosive psychopaths
These types of psychopaths have an excitable and irritable personality, they get angry and rage very easily.
8. Heartless psychopaths
Subjects with affective dullness, that is, lack certain basic feelings as compassion, shame, conscience or sense of honor. Schneider emphasizes that a special trait of the soulless is incorrigibility.
9. Abulic psychopaths
These types of psychopaths are characterized by a lack of will and an inability to resist. Suggestible.
10. Asthenic psychopaths
Nervous, characterized by their cowardice and by their concern for themselves and not for what may happen around them. The author shows that asthenic psychopaths are found in both sexes and even in children. He considers them psychically insufficient: poor performance capacity, inability to concentrate, and decreased memory. In addition, they fail somatically: they do not pay attention to discomforts or small difficulties.
Types of psychopaths according to Blackburn.
Blackburn took an interpersonal approach whereby he classified the types of psychopaths into four categories:
- Primary psychopaths
- Secondary psychopaths
- Controlled psychopaths
- Inhibited psychopaths
11. Primary psychopaths
Psychopaths in this category are impulsive, aggressive, hostile, extroverted, confident in themselves, with low average anxiety. In this group are predominantly the narcissists, histrionic, Y antisocial.
12. Secondary psychopaths
Secondary psychopaths are characterized by being hostile, impulsive, aggressive, socially anxious, socially isolated, moody, with low self-esteem. Within this typology are antisocial, avoidant, schizoid, dependents and paranoid.
13. Controlled psychopaths
Psychopaths of this type are often defensive, controlled, sociable, and not anxious. This group has lower scores for personality disorders.
14. Inhibited psychopaths
In this group of psychopaths we find the shy, isolated, controlled, moderately anxious, with low self-esteem. Here are schizoids, schizotypal Y passive-aggressive, but they show low scores in antisociality.
Types of psychopaths according to Millon.
Millon was an American psychologist who stood out considerably for his studies on personality. Developed a classification based on nine types of psychopaths making it clear that neither of them is exclusive of the other, the profile of the subject may be composed of more than one typology. Its classification is as follows:
- Unprincipled psychopath
- Undercover psycho
- Risk taker psychopath
- Greedy psycho
- Weak psycho
- Explosive psycho
- Rough psycho
- Malevolent Psycho
- Tyrannical psychopath
15. Unprincipled psychopath
Associated with narcissistic personalities. They usually manage to stay successfully within the limits of what is legal and never enter treatment. Arrogant sense of self-worth, disregard for the welfare of others, and a fraudulent social style. It is not uncommon for these types of psychopaths to seek exploit others, they do not care about the rights of others.
16. Undercover psycho
Behavior characterized by a veneer of sociability and friendliness. After appearance Lack of trustworthiness, impulsive tendencies and deep bad humor and resentment towards family members and close people are hidden. Attention seeking often expressed by seductive behaviors. Superficial relationships.
17. Risk taker psychopath
These types of psychopaths need to feel alive and are easily involved in risky situations. They respond to behaviors impulsively and thoughtlessly. Reckless and insensitive, incapable of being autonomous, lacking in self-discipline. In the following article you will find more information about What is impulsivity in psychology.
18. Greedy psycho
They pursue their aggrandizement. They feel that life has deprived them of love, support, material rewards... motivated by a desire for retribution from the criminal acts they commit to fill your life. They believe that their actions restore balance.
19. Weak psycho
In this typology of psychopathy, a behavior base of the type is observed. avoidant and dependent. He shows a false image of security and his attacks seek to show that he is not afraid. Little tyrants cartoons, intimidating attitude towards the world to show that no one can mess with them.
20. Explosive psycho
In this case there would be many components of the intermittent explosive disorder. The main feature is the sudden outbreak of extreme hostility. Their behavior "explodes" so that there is no time for contention.
21. Rough psycho
This subtype of psychopathy shows your rejection of others in a passive and indirect way. They tend to have incessant discord with others, magnifying even the smallest action to be entangled in bitter and constant disputes with the people around you.
22. Malevolent Psycho
Serial killers o / y common fit this psychopath profile. Hostile and vengeful, his impulses seek a destructive and evil end. Cold and cruel, they seek revenge for attacks supposedly suffered, they seek punishment.
23. Tyrannical psychopath
Along with the previous type above, it is one of the most dangerous and cruel. Intimidating, overwhelming and destructive. Stimulated by resistance or weakness, both of which increase the attack rather than soften or stop it.
Types of psychopaths according to Lykken.
Lykken conducted various laboratory studies related to the biological substrate of psychopathy. Through these studies he differentiated three types of psychopaths:
- Primary psychopath
- Destabilized psycho
- Secondary psycho
24. Primary psychopath
The main feature in this type of psychopathy is found in a deviation in their temperament that is very difficult to master since childhood. Weak Behavioral Inhibition System associated with fear, to behavioral inhibition and passive avoidance behaviors.
25. Destabilized psycho
Despite being able to enjoy normal sociability, the psychopaths in this group suffer from an organic disorder that, when manifested, greatly unbalanced them to the point of not feeling responsible for criminal behavior and / or antisocial they commit.
26. Secondary psycho
This type of psychopaths present excess in the Behavioral Activation System. It is associated with the reward, the reward, the avoidance of pain and pursuit of pleasure. Activation of approach behaviors.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Mata, E. (2000). Violence and aggression in the psychopath.Argentine Journal of Neuropsychiatric Clinic, 9(3).
- López, C. & Robles, J. I. (2005). Historical approach to the concept of psychopathy. Clinical, Legal and Forensic Psychopathology, 5.137-168.
- Yesuron, M. (2015). Psychopathy and its diagnosis. Sociohumanistic Studies, 17-31.
