This is a good question and a hard one to answer. I'd say that it is definitely possible to recognize another sociopath in real life because I have done it once. But it's also impossible to know whether or how many other sociopaths I have met in real life without being able to identify them.
The one time I recognized a sociopath in real life, the person was of my same general background, education, and was even in my same career, which helped immensely I am sure. I think when you recognize each other, the thing that tips you off the most is watching them perform your same tricks. This must be how conmen spot each other (or at least this is how it is always portrayed in film). There was something somewhat unnerving about our subsequent interactions. With both of us mirroring the other to a certain extent, it was almost the effect you get when two mirrors are facing -- an endless loop with no substance. Still, I think we understood each other and got on well.
The only other sociopath I have met in person is someone whom I had been previously informed was a sociopath. That interaction was in some ways more telling. We come from very different backgrounds, are in different stages in life, and just generally live in two different worlds. I don't think I would have been able to tell whether this person was a sociopath if I hadn't been made aware of the diagnosis ahead of time. The more time I spent with this person, the more I saw similarities, but this person's tricks were a different set than mine -- surely a set more suited to their daily life than mine. We still talk and get along well too, but I think we also can bore each other with our lack of substance and commonalities to discuss. But also we must intrigue or attract the other, because we definitely still play games whenever either of us is in the mood.
1st
ReplyDeleteomg coppycat (1st)
ReplyDelete2 bald men fighting over a comb
ReplyDeleteDo you think it is easier for empaths or sociopaths to identify sociopaths? Given that you have only identified one in your life but it seems that empaths often claim that they have meet several.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure they can claim every person who screwed them over is a sociopath. It makes them look (and feel) less pathetic to themselves at least. Not to mention, I'm always hearing stories about how these very clever empaths have no trouble identifying sociopaths and staying out of their grasp, even outwitting them. They fail to see the irony of their clever selves sharing these brave tales with a sociopath. Priceless...
DeleteIt is easier for uberempaths, however we must be atuned with our senses and our gut. Once we learn to do that, everything makes sense and we can as green eyes pointed out, "outwit them." The mind games are a waste of time for me, so I retired from him, I got a life to live... It was a good learning experience for now I recognize at least one other person at work who is a sociopath and I'm on guard. Did I warn others around? No, it's more fun this way, if he hurts them it's their fault for letting him and it'd be a good life lesson they wouldn't get otherwise. The world needs sociopaths :)
DeleteI'm usually not looking to diagnose people as sociopaths. They go into categories - interesting/not interesting, a threat/not a threat. On the whole the people I find most interesting tend to have a lot of the traits, but I don't know if a psychologist would say they were sociopaths or not.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article ME. Could I identify a sociopath? They are supernaturally charming. They have a charisma which attracts you like a moth to a flame. They have something very cool about them in terms of unflappable. I think I could identify a sociopath if I didn't fall in love first he he
ReplyDeleteI'm curious; do adult children that had a parent that was
ReplyDeletea sociopath - want to associate with sociopaths? Do they
have a real desire to be in a relationship with sp?
My friend with a narcipathic father would rather not associate with potential sociopaths or narcissists. She finds it irritating that I am willing to not only to associate with such, but to also attempt friendship.
Delete*narcipathic is the term we use to describe people who could be narcissists or sociopaths--we admit we don't have the training or the emotional detachment to discern which is which....
That is a great question Anon. Desire would be the wrong word. It must be a familiarity. Love gets mixed with pain.
ReplyDeleteWhen you become close enough for someone to tell you they just don't know if they're capable of the kind of love romantic comedies idealize, your childhood makes sense. That kind of honesty it is extremely intimate.
ReplyDeleteOne cannnot say this aloud to a person accustomed to seeing their parents love one another. They will not have anything to do with you. You fake it. If they find you are different than other giving, loving partners they might leave, so you have to be very very careful. I find I go the other way, out of my way to prove it. I go out of my way big time. I always thought that was empathic. Isn't it???
DeleteNot exactly.
DeleteWhy?
DeleteI don't know.. is there someone else who can explain it for 745/748?
DeleteI think it IS empathy. I think when you see someone who wants something and you give it even though you don't feel it, that is empathy.
DeleteAnd I care and that means I have a conscience. I have a conscience and I always will.
Just because you have a conscience doesn't mean you have empathy.
DeleteYou are considerate, that is all you are.
DeleteI am more than that. I am not a monster or a reptile just because I can see things. I am very good. I do good things.
DeleteYeah? So did my mother.
DeleteWhat the fuck do I care about your stupid ass mother?
DeleteI didn't ask you to care.
DeleteWho cares about you? Instead of the cussing how about asking how his mother is? Or maybe "what good things has your mother done?" I'm no imp-pathetic person..I have no idea how it felt to your mom when I pounded her ass out. But people who jump to talking about parents from no where are plump n juicy.
Deletei'n verry aware of ppl not being neurotipicle (but can also be aspi/autism) if you wach somone loung enough they always show there true self but dont have the patience for that (usualy)
ReplyDeletewhat do you mean "don't have the patience for that. What is "that" ?
DeleteWhat if everyone tells you your a sociopath. I.ve been told by bfs, friends, family members. If so many people think im cold and unfeeling. But i dont see it thay way. Im practical and dont put up with ppls shit. Is thay something "normal people do?"
ReplyDeleteDo you have trouble faking it with people who you really want to think you are warm and feeling?
DeleteI was told by narcissists I am cold and unfeeling.
Delete...But only when I feel like they're trying to trample me. I squash them and then they respect me right away.
Delete@7:42 I think normal people with confidence and cajones do that.
DeleteBecause i dont pity them, or feel bad for them when they.re suffering. It doesnt involve me, i just dont care. Unless they.re in my little circle of people i care about. Not in the circle? Then i dont care. I just always thought that made me a bitch, not a sociopath
DeleteI don't feel like a bitch. Neither should you. I do obligatory "aw that's too bad" face because it's what people want. Some people get off on pity parties and it's NICE to be able to make a person feel heard.
DeleteIt's not bitchy to do one thing and think another. It's fucking responsible. I'd not call myself a sociopath. But I know all too well when I'm faking emotion.
- -"I feel your pain" a la Bill Clinton. HE'S pretty much a nice guy!
So many anons...so many questions...
ReplyDeleteInteresting questions though!
Delete*yawn*
ReplyDeleteAnyone see the debate over the soldier with TBI and PTSD they called psycho in the headline of one of the finest papers in NYC? Precious.
are aspi's sespetable to pts (lots of jews have aspi marker)
ReplyDeleteJews are suseptible to all this personality disorder and genetic abnormality. Manic depression, depression, all fucking neurotic shit is the realm of the jew. The highly intelligent and fucked up, not to mention god picked..ha ha . Isn't that a bitch? God chooses you and you are a fucking retard.
DeleteWhy don't you kill yourself?
DeleteHa ha ha. You'd get off on that, that's why. Plus fuck you I like my life, regardless. It's full and empty at the same time, and I can entertain myself for hours and hours and hours.
DeleteIt's full and empty at the same time?
DeleteYES !
DeleteExplain full.
DeleteNo.
DeleteFuck you.
DeleteNo ttttthhhhhank you.
DeleteYou should just get someone to run you over.
DeleteOh please, anon 10:53, are you seriously trying to say that Jews have a monopoly on neuroticism, manic depression, etc? Mormons, Catholics, Hindus, Muslims etc are all perfectly normal aren't they. I know I've never heard of one of those with any disorders. You are just desperate for attention and willing to spew forth whatever garbage you think will get you some.
DeleteAnon 10:57, didn't anyone ever tell you not to argue with an idiot; they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. I know your intentions were good, but don't give him what he wants. His life is full enough masturbating in front of a mirror and probably empty cause there's not much to hold on to.
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=manic+depression+jews&btnG=Search&as_sdt=0%2C33&as_ylo=&as_vis=1
Deletenothing is "statistically significant" so I suppose you are right. A few years back there was a call to study history of mental illness stretching throughout generations of families. I waasn;t masturbating to it.
DeleteAnd no one was talking to me so thanks for coming out :)
No shit.
ReplyDeleteIn revising a list of high-performing CEOs, after examining some of their personal photographs, I may ascribe sociopathic features to most of them, with a greater Aspergian component evident within the superior margins.
ReplyDelete