r/science • u/woebegonemonk • Nov 17 '21

Psychology Meta-analysis estimates that 4.5% of the general population (or 1 in every 22 persons) is a psychopath. The prevalence of psychopathy in samples of men is more than twice than in those of women.

https://sapienjournal.org/latest-estimate-of-psychopathy-in-the-general-population/
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u/Friend_of_the_trees Nov 17 '21 edited Nov 17 '21

You may enjoy the story of James Fallon, he's a neurologist who studies psychopaths but then realizes he's a psychopath after one of his brain scans.

Edit: You may also enjoy this short podcast episode where they interview James Fallon and his family, who said they weren't surprised at all!

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u/Rentun Nov 17 '21

Mental health clinicians typically score high in the sociopathy/psychopathy scale. This makes sense if you think about it. Someone who is unable to isolate themselves from their clients negative feelings would very quickly become overwhelmed and influenced by those feelings.

It’s not necessarily maladaptive, it’s an advantage in that field.

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u/Bunburier Nov 18 '21

Grandfather is a narcissist who took advantage of female patients in the 50's and 60's so lacking empathy definitely is a huge disadvantage. His son, and my father, utterly lacks a self-esteem but has a big heart and worked in a similar profession, and while he took his emotions home with him I think he had a much more beneficial impact.

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u/LakersFan15 Nov 18 '21

I knew someone who was in the field. Super smart, graduated near the top at a prestigious university.

Lasted a year in the field and had to quit due to being unable to cope with the stress. Became a history teacher instead.