13 - Psychopathy and Toxic Relationships

What is psychopathy?

A personality disorder characterized by:

• an arrogant/deceitful interpersonal style

• deficient affective experiences

• impulsive behaviours

• Early onset antisocial behaviours

Does having one of the traits of a psychopath make you one?

No, possessing a combination of them will

Psychopathy: US Juror beliefs

• In 2014 a group of jurors were asked "who do you think of when you think of psychopaths" 20% did not know what psychopath meant
• by 2018 only 1% of people did not now what psychopathy was

In what ways is psychopathy a costly disorder?

• Substance abuse (costly to healthcare)
• Persistent criminal behaviour (costly to criminal justice system)
• Intimate partner violence
• instrumental violence
• Workplace bullying/harassment

Commonality of psychopathy in these groups (ordered lowest to highest)

1. General population
2. CEOs
3. Incarcerated and child molesters
4. Incarcerated rapists
5. Pimps
6. Serial killers

Forth Study on the impact of psychopathy on toxic relationships

Big study of 474 victims and survivors of intimate partner violence at the hands of a psychopath

Where did the study participants meet their partner?

Various places (work, vacation, party, etc.)

What are some warning signs someone is dating a psychopath?

• Love-bombing
• Narcissistic behaviour
• Inconsistent background
• Isolates partner from others

Accounts of the traits of psychopaths from their ex-partners

• Overly positive/nice too soon
• Evasive
• Arrogant
• Overly attentive
• Controlling

Types of abuse experienced by victims of psychopaths

• Psychological
• Deception
• Financial
• Physical
• Sexual

What was the main type of abuse experienced?

psychological

Why does it make sense that financial abuse is also high in psychopaths?

they are focused on getting money and exploiting/deceiving others

What % of people in intimate relationships with a psychopath experienced moderate to extreme physical health effects

64%

What % of people in intimate relationships with a psychopath experienced moderate to extreme mental health effects

98%

Mental and physical health effects of abuse by a psychopath

Large range in severity of the impact

- 51% of victims became depressed

• 80% of victims were diagnosed with PTSD

Love bombing

excessive showering of love to manipulate (experienced by 93%)

Gaslighting

repeatedly manipulating situations to trick victim into distrusting themselves
(experienced by 83%)

What is needed to better help victims/survivors?

• Education
• Access to services
• Legal recourse
• Online support
• Support for children

How does a lack of education contribute to toxic relationships?

• 58% of people in society said they dismissed the behaviour because they thought the relationship had just soured
• 50% of psychologists and psychiatrists did not think to help victims in the way they needed because they didn't know enough about psychopathy