The Adaptive Reason for the Existence of Psychopaths in Society

TLDRPsychopaths exist in society because they were beneficial in the past for activities like raiding parties. While psychopathy may not be good for individuals, it can be adaptive and useful for a tribe in certain situations like war.

Key insights

🔪Psychopaths make up a small percentage of the population, but their adaptive nature can be beneficial in specific circumstances.

💣Psychopathy may not be beneficial for individuals in the long run, but it can provide advantages for tribes during times of war.

💡Psychopathy was advantageous thousands of years ago when raiding parties needed fearless individuals to carry out violent acts.

🌍The existence of psychopaths may be a legacy from the past, as they were useful for survival in ancient societies.

💼Modern society provides opportunities for psychopaths to hide and move between locations, making it easier for them to blend in.

Q&A

What is the clinical diagnosis criteria for psychopathy?

To be clinically diagnosed as a psychopath, an individual must have committed criminal acts and meet a certain number of criteria on the psychopathic checklist.

Are psychopaths always involved in criminal activities?

Not all psychopaths are involved in criminal activities. In fact, many functioning psychopaths have successful careers and maintain societal norms.

Can someone be a psychopath without showing any criminal behavior?

Yes, it is possible for someone to have the biological determinants of psychopathy without engaging in criminal acts or being diagnosed as a psychopath.

What is the difference between grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism?

Grandiose narcissists believe they are superior to others and seek constant validation, while vulnerable narcissists hide their lack of self-worth and become angry when their expectations are not met.

Can psychopathy be determined solely based on brain activity?

Brain activity can provide insights into psychopathic tendencies, but a diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation that includes behavior and interpersonal traits.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Psychopaths make up a small percentage of the population.

00:27Psychopathy was beneficial for ancient raiding parties.

02:45Clinical diagnosis of psychopathy requires criminal acts.

03:53Not all psychopaths engage in criminal activities.

05:26Differentiating between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism.

06:32The existence of vulnerable narcissists and their behavior.

07:10The potential correlation between brain activity and psychopathy.