Integrated psychopaths: when psychopathy is not synonymous with criminality

The existence of psychopaths integrated into society shows that psychopathy is complex.

When we think of a psychopath, we usually think of a serial killer, cold and calculating, as shown in the movies.

But the reality is very different. While there obviously have been and are people with psychopathy who commit various crimes, others do not. In this article we will explore the question of integrated psychopathsan issue that can be very surprising.

What are integrated psychopaths?

In order to talk about integrated psychopaths, it is first necessary that we stop for a moment to properly define the term psychopath itself. Psychopathy is a psychopathology framed within antisocial personality disorder..

However, although there are some common traits in some of these individuals, it would be inadequate to make a general categorization for all individuals with psychopathic personality, as there are important variations, as is the case of integrated psychopaths, which we will see later. In addition, as with most psychopaths, as with most psychopathologies, this can occur in different degrees, so there will be many nuances in this type of personality..

The most frequent clinical characteristics in this type of individuals are, first of all, an antisocial behavior, which can be more intense during childhood and even translate into behaviors such as pyromania or animal abuse. Enuresis may also appear at inappropriate ages. However, these behaviors can be corrected and not be present during adulthood.

Another characteristic feature would be a degree of empathy as well as remorse that is quite low or even non-existent in some cases.. Although it should be pointed out that many psychopaths, integrated or not, have their own codes of conduct, and it is when they break these and not the general laws, when they may experience discomfort.

The third of the main traits is that of an evident disinhibition in their character, and even a certain narcissism and pleasure in being the center of attention. In addition, they are often pleasant to deal with, as they have a great intelligence in that sense.

They can also be insensitive in their interpersonal relationships, be insincere, lie, or engage in behavior that could be described as extravagant.. In this case, some elements such as alcohol could enhance the effect of the same. Let us remember at all times that these characteristics are generalities and therefore do not have to be fulfilled in all cases, nor do they have to be fulfilled with the same intensity.

Although later we will focus on integrated psychopaths, it is convenient to continue knowing the general characteristics of this psychopathology. Another factor to take into account is that these people do not usually experience delusions, so their thinking is rational.

They may have promiscuous sexual relations, be irresponsible in certain behaviors and even impulsive. They may also be manipulative and do anything to achieve their goals. They will often need stimulation to keep from becoming bored.

These are some of the behaviors observed in the population with psychopathic personality. As we can see, they are qualities that, separately, could be observed in many types of people, but that together, mark a profile that we could qualify as psychopathic..

However, this does not necessarily have to be linked to criminality (although, indeed, they have a higher probability of transgressing the rules) and much less to murder.

Characteristics of integrated psychopaths

We have already been able to see some of the general traits that we usually find in people with psychopathy. One of them is antisocial behavior, which can translate into criminal behavior. This is where the so-called integrated psychopaths come into play.

These people, although they fit the diagnosis of psychopathic personality, do not necessarily engage in criminal behavior.. On the contrary, they lead normal lives and, although some of their traits differ from those we might observe in the general population, this does not make it very difficult for them to cope with everyday situations, raise a family, work at different jobs, etc.

Sometimes we can also find the term subclinical psychopath to refer to integrated psychopaths. Thus, the term would refer to individuals who have psychopathic traits but have not become criminals, but lead apparently normal and therefore socially accepted lives.

Obviously, the very characteristics that we have already discussed at the beginning of this article can make these people uncommon, eccentric or different in the way they behave, but not necessarily in a negative way. In fact, their narcissism and pleasure in being flattered make them charming on many occasions and even seductive..

But this charm will be merely superficial, since their objective is not to project a good image, but to receive a series of compliments in return. For integrated psychopaths, and for non-integrated psychopaths as well, other individuals are usually simply the means they need to achieve an end.

This implies that their affection for others is not necessarily like that felt by the general population.. Their emotionality may function in a different way and therefore their feelings towards other people, even those closest to them, may not be like those experienced by other individuals either.

Their personal interactions and relationships

These qualities make integrated psychopaths people who can be very skilled at handling other individuals and even take advantage of their weaknesses to control them. They can dominate and even psychologically abuse the people around them.

Some will try to establish relationships of apparent mutual dependence, but in reality it will be the other person who enters into this spiral of dependence, since integrated psychopaths will not feel this type of need. On the contrary, they will even feel a certain pleasure in making the other person feel vulnerable and even invalid.

In the field of romantic relationships, many of these subjects will have no problem in committing infidelities.. Some go so far as to do it in a very obvious way, knowing that this can cause harm to their partner. If they also have a high economic situation, they will have no problem in supporting the other party, but not for mere altruism, but for the situation of vulnerability that it generates in the other person.

We observe a tendency in integrated psychopaths to try to exert a relationship of power over the other, even to the point of denigration or psychological mistreatment, as we have already seen.as we have already seen. This is another sign of the frequent lack of empathy that these individuals have, so that the feelings or emotions of others will not be an impediment for them to try to achieve their goals.

Testimony of an integrated psychopath

But not all integrated psychopaths behave in this way, and some do not even know they are psychopaths or only find out late in life. Let's look at a concrete example. This is the case of James Fallon. This is a very particular example, because we are talking about a world eminence in the field of neurology.

It was precisely in the course of his work as a neurologist that he discovered that he himself was one of the integrated psychopaths. He reviewed a series of MRI images of the brains of different psychopathic murderers and other individuals, including his own. Indeed, the image of his own brain matched that of dangerous criminals.

But James Fallon is no criminal, far from it. Although he does have traits that many people do not have, since he does indeed belong to the group of integrated psychopaths. However, his family did have a history of people, presumably with psychopathy, who had committed such heinous acts as murder.

Fallon himself refers that his emotionality is different, and that he is aware that what he feels towards his wife and his children is not exactly the same as what they feel towards him. He also recognizes that he knows perfectly well how to act in order to make other people like him, but that does not mean that he feels any appreciation for them.

He also emphasizes a tremendous feeling of revenge when another person causes him some discomfort. In his opinion, he belongs to the integrated psychopaths because he was born with a predisposition to it, but the key to not becoming a criminal, according to him, lies in childhood.

This doctor assures that it was having a happy childhood and not suffering, for example, abuse or mistreatment, which kept him in that rank of secondary psychopath. In his words, being born with psychopathy is like being a loaded gun, but what pulls the trigger is having lived a hard childhood and, fortunately, that was not his case.

Bibliographic references:

• Knobbe, M., Kraft, A. (2014). James Fallon: "The evil is inside me!". XL Semanal.
• Pozueco Romero, J.M.. (2010). Integrated psychopaths: Psychological profile and personality. Eos. Psicología Jurídica.
• Pozueco Romero, J.M., Moreno Manso, J.M., Blázquez Alonso, M., García-Baamonde Sánchez, M.E. (2013). Integrated/subclinical psychopaths in couple relationships: profile, psychological maltreatment and risk factors. Papeles del Psicólogo.