Crazy, psycho, psychopath, sociopath, these are all common phrases that people use to describe the mental disorder that is clinically known as Antisocial Personality Disorder. Antisocial Personality Disorder is characterized by a lack of empathy for others and a disregard for social norms. Contrary to popular belief, being antisocial does not mean that someone enjoys being alone and avoids social situations, the proper term for that is asocial. Antisocial simply means that someone violates established social rules. This particular mental disorder is especially prevalent in modern fiction; movies, TV shows, and books often feature thrillers where a few daring detectives must hunt down a cold and calculating killer who shows no empathy for others and brutally torments his victims. Although Antisocial Personality Disorder is incredibly common among killers, especially serial killers and mass murderers, it is often mis-portrayed in fiction.
The film is a classic detective story; the protagonist, Clarice Starling, a woman training to be an FBI agent, is tasked with interviewing Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a former psychiatrist and convicted serial killer who is infamous for eating his victims. Starling interviews Lecter since the FBI believes his acumen in the field of psychology can help them gain insight on the motives of another killer who is on the loose, nicknamed Buffalo Bill, he flays his victims. Throughout the film, it is heavily implied that they both have Antisocial Personality Disorder due to their—well, as some may put it, their unusual behavior (eating people, skinning people, etc.). However, despite the superb quality of the film, it does leave the viewer with some false perceptions about
The Silence of the Lambs portrays two serial killers with antisocial personality disorder, Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill. Lecter is a psychiatrist in prison and maximum-security for eating his patients. Clarice Starling who is working for the FBI, is sent to get information out of Lecter about a transexual who skins women and make bodysuits out of them and learns that he was one of Lecter's old patients. She attempts to understand the mind of a psychopath in order to find the one who is on the loose, but she ultimately learns that she has to play her role as his patient so he can lead her to him. Although they both have the same disorder, Dr. Lecter is the character that displays the most antisocial personality disorder traits that is focused on in The Silence of the Lambs. The following will contain the traits that Dr. Hannibal Lecter specifically portrays according to the diagnostic criteria of antisocial personality disorder in the
Every few years there are disturbing, yet fascinating headlines: “BTK killer: Hiding in plain sight” or “Police discover at least 10 victims at Anthony Sowell's home”; but what would allow an individual to commit the crimes they did? In cases like these there is usually a common link: Antisocial Personality disorder. It is an unknown disorder to most of the population which is why there are so many questions to be answered, the main ones being what is antisocial personality disorder and how does it effect patient and society as a whole? To answer these questions one needs an accurate background picture of the disorder.
Ogloff, J. R. (2006). Psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder conundrum. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, (40), 519-528.
Serial killers have long eluded law enforcement while simultaneously grabbing the attention of the public, and now more than ever, criminal psychologists are beginning to understand what makes a serial killer. In his true-crime documentary, In Cold Blood, Truman Capote depicts the horrifying murders of four members of the Clutter family and the search to find the criminals responsible for the deaths. Eventually, two killers are caught, one being Perry Smith, a detached and emotionless man. And although his carnage of the Clutters labeled him a mass murderer, many of Perry’s personality traits are characteristic of a serial killer. In fact, if detectives had not caught him, Perry could have easily become a serial killer.
“Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by an inability to form human attachment, aggressive narcissism, and antisocial behavior defined by a constellation of affective, interpersonal and behavioral characteristics, most of which society views as pejorative” [1]. Some of these characteristics include irresponsibility, grandiosity, cunning, deceitfulness, selective impulsivity, sexual promiscuity, lack of empathy, etc. People who are psychopathic display not only antisocial behavior but also emotional impairment such as the lack of guilt. They are able to prey on others using their charm, deceit, violence or any other methods that allow them to get what they want. A strong feature of most of the behavior exhibited by individuals with psychopathy is that it is mostly instrumental in nature. They are extremely goal-oriented with interests in acquiring wealth, sexual opportunities and increased status.
Anti Social Personality Disorder is also known as ASPD. “About 2.5 to 3.5 percent of people have ASPD. This condition is much more common in men than in women.” (Lees McRae College) Everyone has their own personality and not one person is exactly the same. “People with anti social personality disorder are also called sociopaths.” (Leedom) Different causes are particular to look for when diagnosing this disorder. Though rare, it is important to understand the disorder as well as its symptoms, treatment and strategies. “Lifetime prevalence for ASPD is reported to range from 2% to 4% in men and from 0.5% to 1% in women. Rates of natural and unnatural death (suicide, homicide, and accidents) are excessive.” (Black, 2015)
Lecter’s analytical, observant, and almost sociopathic outlook on his surroundings contrasts heavily with Starling’s earnest desire to discover the secrets behind Buffalo Bill’s identity and reasons, a desire to save another’s life that humanizes her. It is important to know that this rectification can come in two forms for Lecter. Lecter can either punish the individual, such as in Chilton’s case for their direct discourtesy to him or another, or he can help an individual who has received such discourtesy in his presence. Lecter would only feel this obligation, however, in the unique case that he is unable to prevent such a direct discourtesy from happening to another as it occurred in front of him, as in Clarice’s case.
Without thought, Dr. Hannibal Lecter displays the general three P’s of personality disorders: persistent, pervasive and pathological. Specifically, Lecter appears to consistently exhibit the symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder, which is found in Cluster B of personali...
Simons, C. (2001). Antisocial personality disorder in serial killers: The thrill of the kill. The Justice Professional, 14(4), 345-356.
Lecter is himself a heartless killer, sly, and if let out, could easily kill her, but he takes a liken to her, and agrees to help her catch another serial killer. While she interviews him, he picks her brain to discover her most personal secrets, and thus gains Lecter’s confidence in the process. Lecter gives Clarice just enough clues to narrow the possible location of Buffalo Bill. Now it is a race against time to locate Bill’s hiding place and save the next victim. Meanwhile, Lecter goes on a bloody rampage during his escape, and now the most feared serial murder is lose again.
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder frequently lack empathy and tend to be callous, cynical, and contemptuous of the feelings, rights, and sufferings of others. They may have an inflated and arrogant self-appraisal (e.g., feel that ordinary work is beneath them or lack a realistic concern about their current problems or their future) and may be excessively opinionated, self-assured, or cocky. They may display a glib, superficial charm and can be quite voluble and verbally facile. NEED TO PUT THIS IN YOUR OWN WORDS WHILE STILL CITING IT; OR, YOU NEED A BALANCE OF EVIDENCE AND YOUR OWN SUMMARY WITH A
There were two serial killers portrayed in the movie- Dr Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill. As far as diagnosis is concerned, they both have an antisocial personality disorder, and many similar characteristics, however each has his own array of psychological issues.
Antisocial Personality Disorder, also informally known as psychopathy/sociopathy, is a disorder where people elicit manipulative behaviors and lack morals. This includes disregard for rules, violence, superficial charm, promiscuity, a superiority complex, and difficulty forming attachments. This is said to be caused by genetics as well as modeling, or watching other people perform this kind of behavior. 3.3% of Americans are diagnosed with Antisocial Personality disorder. It’s 70% more common in males than females and is seen greatly in
The important feature of antisocial personality disorder is a blatant and pervasive pattern of violation of the rights of other persons. The onset of this pattern is at childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. This particular pattern is also referred to as psychopathy, sociopathy or dissocial personality disorder. In order for a person to be diagnosed with ASPD, the individual must have a history of symptoms of conduct disorder 15 years and must be at least 18 years old. Conduct disorder means the individual must have a repetitive and persistent pattern of violating the rights of others around him; for example, aggression to persons and animals, destruction to property, deception, theft and serious violation of rules. The behavour might become less evident as the individual becomes
One of the biggest traits of psychopath serial killer is their inability to empathize with human feelings. There is no generic profile for psychopath serial killer. Serial killers differ in many ways, including their motivations for killing and their behavior at the crime scene. They will use people for excitement, to build self-esteem. In the movie the behavioral science doctor mentions that Dr. Lecter ate a nurse’s tongue and during the ordeal his pulse rate never raised above eighty-five, which is usually a pulse pate of a regular person that is resting. The calmness he displays is a shallow emotional response, as well as lacking empathy or remorse.