A Checklist For "Spotting" The Antisocial Personality

Some of these traits were taken from the excellent book Emotional Vampires... by Albert J. Bernstein, PhD., a clinical psychologist, as well as a checklist compiled by Dr. Michael Conner.

These traits may fit most antisocial personalities, but not all antisocial people (sociopaths/psychopaths) may exhibit the same traits. Socialised psychopaths, for example, do not show the same characteristics.

Also, most antisocial types are a mixture of disorders, and are hardly ever "pure psychopaths," in fact, there is no such thing as a pure psychopath. The antisocial is also often narcissistic and may display traits of borderline personality or other personality disorders.

Heedless of normal social rules, believes rules were meant to be broken
"Sex, drugs, rock n' roll"
Attracted to thrills, daredevils
Draw you in with an "adorable" adolescent rebelliousness
Rebels without a cause
"The lover you can't forget"
Swear they're telling the truth
Instant rapport, often promise something for nothing
Lies, cheats, and steals
Likes the illusion that they are powerful
Uses excuses to avoid what he or she should do
Has had legal problems or criminal behaviour which he/she never got caught for
Can turn on brilliant bursts of charm to get his or her way
Not good at managing finances
Often smokes without apology; orally fixated (always has something in mouth)
Has had one or more addictions
Has had more sex partners than most people; may brag about his or her sexual prowess
Seldom worries about anything
Believes some problems can be settled with a fist fight; thinks it's "cool" to beat up someone bigger than they are
Sees no problem with lying to acheive a goal
Justifies doing bad things to people by assuming that they would do the same if they had the chance
Doesn't understand the concept "look before you leap"
Believes in having fun first, working later
May have been fired from a job, or quit impulsively
Refuses to comply with a dress code, often sports typical "antisocial" attire and appearance
Makes promises he or she never seems to keep
Despite all these faults, he or she is the most exciting person you've ever met, and most people think the same
May claim that a lot of people "hate" them, then when you ask why, they can't explain
Has an obsession with either being loved or adored by others
Has a "conning" style in speech and manner; suave, smooth talkers
May tell you, only after a few lines of conversation, "You and I think a lot alike," or "We're so much alike, it's eerie..."
Brags about his or her ability to pull one over on people
Can speak convincingly on social injustice and oppression, then the next moment makes racial slurs and talks about women in demeaning ways
Seems too good to be true, despite all their faults, in various ways that make you overlook negative qualities
Self proclaimed geniuses, "Legends in their own minds"
Loves competition, but is a poor loser
Takes pride in how many women or men he/she can conquest; may be proud of "stealing" a friend's wife, or a symbolic sib

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