Distinctions in Psychopathic Behaviors From Cleckley – The Mask of Sanity

Hervey Cleckley - Psychiatrist Dr. Cleckley did the first comprehensive study on psychopathic behaviors and anti - social personality disorder. Studied adult males in psychiatric hospitals Published in the 1940’s – revised 5 times Continued to study: females, adolescents, no previous hospitalizations

The Mask of Sanity He published in 1941, The Mask of Sanity It is still used today and considered the definitive text on psychopathic behavior. It is filled with interviews of psychopaths in a locked institution. “The basic elements of psychopathy outlined by Cleckley are still relevant today. The title refers to the normal "mask" that conceals the mental disorder of the psychopathic person in Cleckley's conceptualization.”

4 subtypes of psychopaths PRIMARY PSYCHOPATHS do not respond to punishment, apprehension, stress, or disapproval seem to be able to inhibit their antisocial impulses most of the time NOT because of conscience, but because it suits their purpose at the time words do not seem to have the same meaning for them as they do for others they don't follow any life plan they are incapable of experiencing any genuine emotion.

expose themselves to more stress than the average person SECONDARY PSYCHOPATHS  risk-takers, also more likely to be stress-reactive, worriers, and guilt-prone expose themselves to more stress than the average person they are not "fully psychopathic" (This may be due to genetics.) daring, adventurous, unconventional, play by their own rules early in life driven by a desire to escape or avoid pain are unable to resist temptation an increase in anxiety = increase in desire (usually for a forbidden object)

DISTEMPERED PSYCHOPATHS  fly into a rage or frenzy usually men with strong sex drives obsessed by sexual urges all day have powerful cravings drug addiction, kleptomania, pedophilia, any illicit or illegal indulgence like the endorphin "high" or "rush" off of excitement and risk-taking the Boston Strangler was this type

are charming & attractive liars usually gifted or talented CHARISMATIC PSYCHOPATHS  are charming & attractive liars usually gifted or talented they use talent to their advantage in manipulating others fast-talkers and possess great ability to persuade others out of anything they own, even their lives examples are leaders of religious sects or cults (if they lead their followers to their deaths) believe they are irresistible

Real life examples of Serial Killers: 1. Power Oriented Killers: they enjoy the control they exert over their victims and are excited by the terror Ex: Ted Bundy and Dennis Rader (BTK killer) 2. Visionary Killers: they kill because they hear “voices” or they hallucinate that they are being told to kill. Ex: David Berkowitz claimed a neighbors dog was directing his killings

3. Mission Oriented: they have a mission (in their mind) to rid the world of a type of individual that they find undesirable or “beneath them” or a group that they find “unworthy”. Ex: Gary Ridgway targeted prostitutes (Green River killer)

4. Hedonistic: seeking sexual release or satisfaction from raping, torturing, mutilating and killing - some of them eat parts of their victims Ex: Jeffrey Dahmer, Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono (The Hillside Stranglers)

Ex: Manson family followers Leslie Van Houten and Lynette Fromme 5. Disciples: Individuals that are influenced (brainwashed) to kill for and by a charismatic psychopath Ex: Manson family followers Leslie Van Houten and Lynette Fromme 6. Comfort or For-Profit Killers: these are usually women** who kill for financial gain, victims are usually family members Ex: Betty Neumar (all 5 of her husbands died “mysteriously”) **Female serial killers are often comfort killers, although not all comfort killers are female

7. Lust Killers: sex is the primary motive, fantasy plays a large role, sexual gratification depends on the amount of torture and mutilation they perform on their victims, use weapons that require close contact with the victims, such as knives or hands. Ex: Edmund Kemper and Jack the Ripper

8. Thrill Killers: primary motive - induce pain or terror in their victims, seek the adrenaline rush provided by hunting and killing victims, no sexual aspect Ex: The Zodiac Killer