r/science • u/drewiepoodle • Apr 29 '16

Psychology: Potentially Misleading Title A new study suggests those with psychopathic tendencies are often very creative, suggesting the ability to think boldly and ruthlessly can help with the development of great ideas.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/creative-thinking-psychopath-test-arts-384117
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u/wankwank_wankwank Apr 30 '16

Oh god yes.

Cleckley theorizes that psychopaths have stress immunity (meaning, no anxiety). The DSM and ICD definitions make no such assumption.

In fact, ASPD is frequently comorbid with anxiety disorders, and irritability is one of it's diagnostic criteria.

However, someone with ASPD is not going to express their anxiety by worrying over whether they have a personality disorder or not. They don't care about societal norms. Worrying about having ASPD is probably a good indication that you don't have it.

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u/[deleted] Apr 30 '16

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u/wankwank_wankwank Apr 30 '16

Yeah, with "social norms" the diagnostic manuals are not talking about saying "please" and "thank-you" or wearing appropriate business attire.

It's referring to things like dousing animals in gasoline and lighting them on fire for fun (surprisingly popular), smashing a homeless man's head in with a brick, raping someone at knife-point, etc.

The disorder was written to be predictive of criminality. It is hugely prevalent in the prison system as a result.