I've just started watching the series, and one of the things that's surprised me is Profit's behaviour.
I've been wondering, is he psychopathic?
I've no clinical experience, but I've always associated the word with violent rage - wouldn't Profit be more of a sociopath, he deviously and amorally manipulating others, which I think is more the latter category?
I'd agree that sociopath would describe him better, yes.
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Wait a minute... who am I here?
Yeah, I think Profit's a Sociopath, a psychopath has no concept of right or wrong, whereas a sociopath does, but doesn't care.
"I've SEEN things you people wouldn't believe...."
No.
Psychologist Robert Hare wrote an excellent book on this subject called 'Without Conscience,' that I highly recommend. He famously created the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare_Psychopathy_Checklist).
Profit only has 4 of the items from the list, and all in the first factor.
He is most definately NOT a sociopath though. They are the ones who are the "violent rage" types. http://blogs.psychcentral.com/forensic-focus/2010/07/sociopathy-vs-psychopathy/
Actually, from what I know 'sociopaths' aren't necessarily violent...maybe violent sometime which Profit is. He freakin' burned his father alive so Profit did have violent tendencies when they suited him. Here is a list of common traits for a sociopath. Seems like Profit fits them pretty well IMHO. And a sociopath does not necessarily have to have every single trait either. Profit fit about 95% of the traits listed below. That's a pretty strong argument for sociopathic tendencies.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
-Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
-Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
-Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
-Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
-Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
-Incapacity for Love
-Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
-Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
-Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
-Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
-Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
-Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
-Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
-Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Other Related Qualities:
-Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
-Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
-Authoritarian
-Secretive
-Paranoid
-Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
-Conventional appearance
-Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
-Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
-Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
-Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
-Incapable of real human attachment to another
-Unable to feel remorse or guilt
-Extreme narcissism and grandiose
-May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
Actually, from what I know 'sociopaths' aren't necessarily violent...maybe violent sometime which Profit is. He freakin' burned his father alive so Profit did have violent tendencies when they suited him. Here is a list of common traits for a sociopath. Seems like Profit fits them pretty well IMHO. And a sociopath does not necessarily have to have every single trait either. Profit fit about 95% of the traits listed below. That's a pretty strong argument for sociopathic tendencies.
Impressive amount of not knowing WTF you're talking about in this thread.
As for Profit, is he a psychopath or sociopath? No, because those terms aren't actually used very often. Does he suffer from several specific disorders that it would take a professional to diagnose but in layman's terms are lumped under both psychopathy and sociopathy? Absolutely.
IMO, a psychopath is a criminal who sets about covering up their crimes. A sociopath, for example Simon Phoenix in Demolition Man, or a terrorist who takes credit for their crimes, makes no attempt to cover up their crimes. A psychotic has mental delusions in the course of their crimes, such as Phillip Garrido.
NO SIGNATURE FOR YOU! Come back oneYear!
most people get it wrong ; psychopaths are the ones who're more calm, cool , and collected.
sociopaths are known to be the more impulsive ones.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wicked-deeds/201401/how-tell-sociopath-psychopath
that being said, profit is most definitely psychopathic . actually one of the more realistic depictions of psychopaths from what i remember of the show, since they usually end up being CEOs or businessman types screwing coworkers over to climb the "corporate ladder " .