The Psychopath Test
An Opinion Piece
Written & created by: Celeste Fowler
As a crime and forensic enthusiast, I have put together an OP-ED on the Psychopath Test! Scroll down to read more about it!
you are a Psychopath.
Or at least partly one- according to this casual checklist of personality traits.
The Psychopath Test created by Robert D. Hare Is the most casual way imaginable to determine psychopathy. When looking over the twenty point checklist, I find myself realizing that every single one of my friends and family members are psychopaths. Good to know- right?
The best current estimate is that just less than 1% of all non institutionalized males age 18 and over are psychopaths. This translates to approximately 1,150,000 adult males who would meet the criteria for psychopathy in the United States today. And of the approximately 6,720,000 adult males that are in prison, jail, parole, or probation, 16%, or 1,075,000, are psychopaths. Thus, approximately 93% of adult male psychopaths in the United States are in prison, jail, parole, or probation.
the test
The test checklist includes but is not limited to being cunningly manipulative, lying, lack of remorse or guilt, lack of empathy, juvenile delinquency, and irresponsibility. These are just a few of the traits that fall under the twenty point checklist. Because the test is only graded by observing the subject with zero science involved (or proof it is reliable)- it should not be admissible in court. If we are being completely honest, I may have to take a second look at my own possibility of being a psychopath after considering the aforementioned traits!
Pictured to the Right: Robert D. Hare
Robert D. Hare
"Language and words for psychopaths are only word deep; there is no emotional colouring behind it. A psychopath can use a word like, 'I love you' but it means nothing more to him than if he said, 'I'll have a cup of coffee."
Who would agree with me that while looking at this list of personality defects- thought they had at least one or two? The problem I see with this test Is the lack of evidence and logic, As well as letting the entirety of the way your mind works be determined by one other individual who I am willing to bet acquires some of these personality traits themselves. I believe that in the year of 2017, with our abundant amounts of technology, that we could advance this diagnostic test to more than a checklist. Psychopath statistics seem to be more common than other disorders- so why are we so nonchalant when diagnosing it?
I would like to start a petition to raise awareness and concern towards this test, and put more work into finding a more scientific diagnostic test to help rule out and help the true psychopaths we live with and run into everyday. The numbers are too high and studies show psychopathy is one of the most common mental disorders. Let's put an end to the "To-Do" list we call the "Psychopath Test" and help those troubled souls in need.
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