The psychopaths who walk among us - and could you be one of them?!

Have you ever encountered someone who seemed charismatic, self-confident, yet at the same time elusive, cold, and cruel? Someone who rarely shows emotions, if at all? A merciless person? Someone who isn’t moved by anything?

If your answer is yes, you may have met a psychopath. But before you start labeling every slightly aloof person as a psychopath, let’s clarify: Estimates suggest that this less-than-pleasant group makes up less than 3% of the population, according to the highest estimates.

In other words, out of a hundred people you know, it’s likely that two or three of them suffer from this “condition,” if it can even be called a disease.

Unlike mental illnesses like schizophrenia, which earns a prominent place in the DSM-5—the “Bible” of modern psychology—psychopathy belongs to the family of personality disorders and is less considered a “disease,” even though it causes no less harm than other mental conditions.

So, what is psychopathy?

Psychopathy is one of the most intriguing and terrifying phenomena in the world of psychology. The image of the psychopath often gets a dramatic Hollywood makeover—from the merciless serial killer to the bold businessman willing to trample anyone in their way. But the truth about psychopaths is far more complex.

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, manipulativeness, low emotional arousal, a pursuit of instant gratification, and a tendency toward antisocial behavior. The term was coined in the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that researchers began to understand it as a set of innate traits, distinct from those with other mental disorders.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose psychopathy, psychologists use a test called the PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised), developed by Canadian researcher Dr. Robert Hare. This test measures 20 different traits, including superficial charm, lack of guilt, irresponsibility, poor emotional control, and high manipulativeness. A person who scores highly on this test is considered a psychopath.

Want to check if you’re a psychopath? Here’s a test to clarify once and for all where you stand in relation to society:

Answer the following questions with: Not at all (0), A little (1), or Very much (2).

If your score is below 20, you can rest easy. But if it’s above 30, well…

What happens in the brain of a psychopath?

Studies have shown that the brains of psychopaths differ significantly from those of ordinary people. One fascinating finding is reduced activity in the amygdala—the brain region responsible for processing emotions and fear. A psychopath simply doesn’t feel emotions the way others do. While a typical person might feel guilt after hurting someone, a psychopath won’t experience it at all.

Additionally, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for impulse control—functions poorly in psychopaths, explaining their irresponsibility and tendency toward risky behaviors.

Psychopaths in everyday lifeIt’s important to emphasize that not every psychopath is a serial killer. In fact, most psychopaths don’t turn to physical violence but find other ways to leverage their tendencies for success in society. Psychopaths are drawn to professions where they can exploit others and gain power, such as politics, business, law, and sometimes even medicine.

So, if your score above was indeed over 30, there’s a good chance you can still take comfort in your life’s success.

Researchers have found that many senior executives in the business world exhibit psychopathic traits to varying degrees. Their personal charm, lack of anxiety, and ability to exploit others without remorse make them ruthless yet highly successful leaders in their fields.

Psychopaths in relationships and family

One area where psychopaths cause significant harm is personal relationships. A romantic relationship with a psychopath can be devastating. At first, they might be charismatic, flattering, and seductive. But soon, they turn manipulative, deceitful, and emotionally cruel.

The simple reason is that psychopaths are incapable of truly loving—they see relationships as a cold transaction of mutual benefit. If the other person stops serving their purposes, they’ll discard them without regret. Studies show psychopaths are far more prone to lying and abusive behavior in relationships.

Can a psychopath be “fixed”?

One of the defining features of psychopathy is the inability to change. Therapeutic attempts, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, don’t work well on psychopaths because they don’t feel a need to change. Moreover, psychopaths often use therapy as a tool to manipulate their therapists.

However, some psychopaths can “learn” from society how to act appropriately to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Some develop more normative behaviors—not out of morality, but from understanding that it allows them to function in society without getting caught.

Is psychopathy a gift or a curse?

The most fascinating question is whether psychopathy is inherently negative. After all, not all psychopaths are criminals—many are successful businesspeople, brilliant politicians, or skilled surgeons performing complex operations without hesitation.

Researchers suggest that psychopathy is a spectrum: Some are at the violent, dangerous end, while others harness their traits in ways that benefit themselves and society.

Psychopaths don’t walk around with warning signs. They could be your neighbor, your boss, or even a family member. But recognizing their traits can help identify them and prevent them from harming us.

Despite the Hollywood image, most psychopaths aren’t killers—but they’re certainly dangerous emotionally, socially, and sometimes financially. If you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who seemed charismatic yet cold, manipulative, and merciless, you may well have encountered a psychopath.

Famous psychopaths? Plenty to choose from

Let’s start with Bernie Madoff. Bernie Madoff, the Jew behind the largest financial fraud in history, is considered by many a classic corporate psychopath. Madoff deceived thousands of people, investing massive sums in a Ponzi scheme that collapsed, leading to billions in losses.

He had extraordinary personal charm and convinced his investors to trust him despite warnings. Even after his fraud was exposed, he showed no real remorse—a classic psychopathic trait.

Researchers have found that among successful politicians, the rate of psychopaths is higher than average. The ability to lie without blinking, charm the masses, and pursue power at all costs fits the psychopathic profile perfectly.

Historical examples like Stalin, Hitler (may his name be erased), and Mao Zedong point to rulers completely devoid of empathy, making decisions that led to millions of deaths without remorse. Even in democracies, though, you can find politicians displaying psychopathic traits—not always through violence, but through cold manipulation and ruthless decisions.

So how do you deal with psychopaths?

If there’s one thing to remember, it’s that you can’t “beat” a psychopath at their own game. They’re too good at manipulation and don’t experience the world like ordinary people. The best way to deal with a psychopath is to distance yourself—don’t confront them directly, don’t try to evoke remorse, and don’t think you can change them.

Early identification is the best tool. If you meet someone charismatic but emotionally cold, who lies easily, feels no guilt or remorse, and is manipulative—be very cautious. In a world where power matters as much as morality, psychopaths will keep rising to prominence. The question is how we’ll learn to spot them—before it’s too late.