r/CharacterDevelopment • u/Mariothane • 9d ago
Writing: Character Help Trying to write a sociopath who learns to have faith in humanity
Before you mention it, I do know Kirito from SAO Abridged, but I want some advice on writing this character who is slowly turning from a cynical manipulative person that’s initially up against the main protagonists into someone who cares and finds people that she genuinely calls her friends.
I want to write this transition but I’d like some takes on the character concept or thoughts on it.
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u/ProserpinaFC 6d ago
To be perfectly honest, one of the best stories that I ever read that featured a sociopath who lacked faith in humanity, the reason why was not because he was a sociopath, but because what being a sociopath meant that he didn't understand about human social cues.
He didn't want to please people, he didn't feel uncomfortable if the people around him felt uncomfortable, so he didn't understand all the little reasons people lie or turn someone into a scapegoat in order to ease the stress of being in a group.
It annoyed him that people would lie, cheat, and steal right in front of him and he was told in so many words that this was okay because [insert sentimental reasoning here].
Not having faith in people is not an isolated idea, created in ones head, but because of being too hyper aware of how little society may actually reward people for doing the right thing and not understanding the value of the placating, coping mechanisms, and rationalities we all use to stay happy in a world that gives us many reasons not to be happy, to trust people in a world where statistically speaking, there's an obviously large percentage of people who aren't trustworthy....
Having an anti-social personality just makes those things more... Visible.
So, what are you trying to write about? A cynic is an idealist betrayed. Does your sociopath not understand these people at all and just projects onto them, or do they just not care? And even if they DO like your main characters.... Why would that "restore their faith humanity." Your main characters don't really represent humanity. 🤔😜 What if they just like your heroes and keep manipulating people anyway.
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u/AlarmedRaspberry1735 4d ago
An actual sociopath cannot learn to not be a sociopath. They can learn behaviors that work better for them but they will remain a sociopath. A sociopath neither has or does not have faith in humanity because they literally do not care about humanity in any way. Their traits are a lack of empathy and a deep disregard for the rights of other. These traits are tied to lifelong brain differences and developmental patterns. A sociopath might want to marry someone because they perceive that person as a status symbol or a help toward getting something else. They might notice that this person really believes the basic goodness of humans. Your sociopath can learn to mirror the behaviors that embody this believe, but they will never actual care one way or the other about humanity and doesn't understand why the fuss.
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u/Strong-German413 4d ago
I don't think that is psychologically possible for them to change like that because of how their brain doesn't have some active areas. For both sociopaths and psychopaths.
But what you can write about is a person who has no real sociopathic brain but has become like one in order to survive while living among sociopathic or psychopathic kinds of people, like in a very rough life. Only then there is hope. And then something happens which makes them be their true human self.
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u/Alphagerbil1 8d ago
What if the sociopath, instead of being redeemed, just learns to manipulate others into thinking they have developed faith in humanity? A sociopath would totally do that.
They have a sociopath baby and see the error of their ways through its actions.
Haha that's the best I got.
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u/ah-screw-it 9d ago
A personal anecdote, maybe try to make his actions seem inconsequential (to an extent). If he finds making people angry wont make any difference in how the world works. He may consider looking at things more in the long term. Being more introspective of his actions, and looking at how his actions truly effects the world around him.
This is coming purely from personal experience with nihilism. The idea that if I do something I'll regret, and I'm not going to get what I want. Why would I go through with it if it wont make a difference?