A sociopath is someone suffering from a serious psychiatric condition called antisocial personality disorder. While no one is born with this disorder, it is associated with a pattern of antisocial behavior that began before the age of 15. Recognizing a sociopath's personality, despite the existence of telltale indications, can be challenging. Similarly to predatory animals in the wild, sociopaths are masters of camouflage and cunning. Antisocial behavior and an absence of conscience and empathy are hallmarks of the sociopath personality. Knowing the telltale indications of a sociopath can be helpful for you to identify and understand people with these tendencies so that you can set healthy boundaries.
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00:00 People that prey on other people
00:02 can be found in every culture.
00:05 They go by many names, one of which is sociopath.
00:09 A sociopath is someone suffering
00:11 from a serious psychiatric condition
00:13 called antisocial personality disorder.
00:16 While no one is born with this disorder,
00:18 it is associated with a pattern of antisocial behavior
00:22 that began before the age of 15.
00:24 Recognizing a sociopath's personality,
00:27 despite the existence of telltale indications,
00:30 can be challenging.
00:31 Similarly to predatory animals in the wild,
00:34 sociopaths are masters of camouflage and cunning.
00:38 Antisocial behavior and an absence of conscience and empathy
00:42 are hallmarks of the sociopath personality.
00:45 With every slither and slurp,
00:47 a sociopath sows discord and chaos wherever they go.
00:50 Knowing the telltale indicators of a sociopath
00:53 can be helpful for you to identify and understand people
00:56 with these tendencies.
00:57 So that you can set healthy boundaries.
00:59 So here are seven signs
01:01 someone you know might be a sociopath.
01:03 Number one, lack of care for other people.
01:07 Careless is often used to describe
01:09 a sociopath's interaction with others,
01:11 because they generally have very little regard
01:14 for other people's wellbeing.
01:15 On top of that, antisocial individuals
01:18 generally have very little regard for the law
01:20 and so may engage in actions that are illegal,
01:23 such as harassing and fighting others,
01:26 destroying property and stealing.
01:28 They lack a moral compass and won't show regret or remorse
01:31 when they've made a bad choice
01:32 or have hurt or harmed others.
01:35 Number two, manipulation and gaslighting.
01:39 Antisocial people may manipulate and deceive others
01:42 to gain rewards or pleasures,
01:44 such as money, power, social advantage or sex.
01:48 Because of this, they can make favorable impressions
01:50 on others through exuding charisma
01:52 and charm in their encounters.
01:55 Even if you try to confront them about their manipulation,
01:57 they may try to gaslight you by denying the incident,
02:00 saying you're imagining things
02:02 or even accusing you of being crazy or insecure.
02:06 Number three, deceitfulness.
02:09 Sociopaths have a reputation
02:10 for being dishonest and deceitful.
02:13 Just like how they'll use manipulative tactics
02:15 to take advantage of others,
02:17 they may lie to get their way or to get out of trouble.
02:20 They also embellish the truth when it suits them,
02:23 exaggerate things or distort facts to fit their narrative.
02:27 And if you catch them in a lie,
02:29 they'll use denial or projection
02:31 to avoid taking accountability.
02:34 Number four, impulsivity.
02:36 Antisocial individuals often make decisions
02:39 without thinking it through
02:40 or considering the consequences of their actions.
02:43 They tend to be very much in the here and now,
02:46 doing whatever they consider necessary
02:48 to achieve their immediate goals.
02:50 This may mean leaving their partner out of the blue
02:53 and not call or text them for days
02:54 or quitting their job without having a plan
02:57 for what they're doing next.
02:59 Because of these rash decisions,
03:00 they may find themselves having problems
03:02 with maintaining jobs and relationships.
03:05 Number five, irritability.
03:07 People with this condition are easily irritable.
03:10 So they may react to even the slightest frustration
03:13 with aggressive, threatening or verbally abusive behavior.
03:16 For example, while waiting in line for too long
03:19 or being stuck in traffic jams annoys everyone,
03:22 sociopaths in this case may respond with violent outbursts.
03:26 Number six, irresponsibility.
03:29 People often believe that sociopaths
03:31 are usually successful, charismatic people
03:33 in positions of power.
03:35 True, there are some sociopaths
03:37 who manage to succeed in society at large,
03:40 but they are the exception.
03:42 While persuasiveness and charisma
03:44 are sometimes seen in sociopaths,
03:46 irresponsibility is a common problem
03:49 for those who suffer from this condition.
03:51 Monotony and routine make them stressed
03:54 and they get bored quickly.
03:56 Reckless behavior is how they escape that boredom.
03:59 And number seven, negligence.
04:02 Do you often find them doing dangerous
04:04 or reckless activities?
04:06 Sociopaths tend to care very little about their safety
04:09 or the safety of others.
04:11 For this reason, they may seek out
04:13 and engage in cheap thrills and risky activities
04:16 such as drunk driving, overindulging in drugs,
04:18 alcohol or gambling,
04:19 or engaging in unprotected or unsafe sex.
04:22 Is there someone you know
04:24 who is showing some of these signs?
04:26 Let us know in the comments below.
04:28 If you found this video helpful,
04:29 be sure to like, subscribe and share this video
04:31 with those who might find benefit in it.
04:33 And don't forget to hit the notification bell icon
04:35 to get notified whenever Psych2Go posts a new video.
04:38 The references and studies used in this video
04:40 are added in the description below.
04:42 Thanks for watching and see you in our next video.
04:45 (upbeat music)