According to the world’s leading expert in psychopathy, the psychologist and emeritus professor at the University of British Columbia (Canada), Robert D. Hare, at least 1% of the world’s population is psychopath. Although it may seem a not particularly significant amount, it is a remarkable phenomenon, since these individuals are responsible for more than half of the violent crimes committed in developed countries.
In Spain, different studies show that between 15% and 25% of the male prison population meets the criteria for this disorder, which means that between 9,150 and 15,250 people with psychopathy are incarcerated.
Why are there so many?
What is the reason for such a high number? Psychopaths are characterized, among other things, by not showing empathy with those who suffer, lack of remorse, show an evident rejection of social norms of coexistence and combine large doses of impulsivity with the immediate search for pleasure. For this reason, it is often said that the logical path for these individuals is crime.
However, it is also true that there is a group of psychopaths who, although they maintain these same traits, do not commit crimes; not, at least, of the violent type. Therefore, it is likely that this class of individuals will never be diagnosed. They are the so-called subclinical or integrated psychopaths, whose numerical prevalence in society is unknown. Recognizing them is difficult: they are often likeable and convincing people, although they often have trouble relating. They are not dangerous, but if you detect them, the best thing you can do is not mix with them or, if this is not possible, reduce the treatment to the essential minimum.
