How accurately did author Jeff Lindsay portray a psychopath?

[goldenqilin]

This Judy is Rita many years later...

[schr4nz]

I disagree with this woman. 0:20, where she talks about the emptiness dexter experiences and the feeling being captured by Lindsay... What she doesn't take into account is that a psychopath wouldn't have enough self awareness to care about the emptiness they feel, they aren't aware of any emptiness, they think they are above everyone else, they don't have enough self awareness to look around and think "oh, i feel so empty inside". they simply do not.

[SirRoggo]

@schr4nz maybe she meant that lindsay made us understand dexter emptiness since is written in first person and what not

[scienceofstoke]

I grew up with a textbook psychopathic father and I would say its pretty close, but some minor details are lacking, certain ways he thinks about things and approaches situations seems to be more of what a normal person would want to believe a psychopath thinks like, while the reality is even worse, trust me

[killakadafi77]

@scienceofstoke each person is unique, each psychopath is unique as well

[scienceofstoke]

@killakadafi77 mmm..yeah to an extent, but some of the stuff he thinks would just not enter the mind of a psychopath imo, but I do think a lot of it comes from the difficulty of making a psychopathic character that you can sympathize with, psychopaths can fake emotions like you wouldn't believe, but try living with one, even their own children, wives, etc are almost entirely objects for their own gratification, if you don't believe me read into it more

[schr4nz]

@scienceofstoke I agree, I don't believe they've captured the psychopath very well, at least not on the TV series... Whilst there are some similar features, his detachment seems more like that of a Schizoid. A psychopath lacks conscience to more of a degree than Dexter, "indifference" is not what a Psychopath would generally experience/feel, they feel strong "basic" emotions, power, dominance, lust etc.

[Skindoggiedog]

@schr4nz "I don't believe they've captured the psychopath very well"

They haven't. It's cringe-worthy.

[royalpanthera7]

Can Psycho/sociopaths feel any empathy whatsoever? Even if it be an absolutely minute amount?

[WarukJenkins]

@royalpanthera7 I can fake it pretty well....

[SirBser]

@royalpanthera7 I notice empathy but could care less. While trying to blend in I must recognize and show concern or I'll be seen and casted out. I don't care what this world has to offer but I can understand how much it means to other people. I base life on effort then I judge how willing they are to succeed to properly evaluate it's importance. I can't define my life but I also can't find a reason to die so I just keep walking until one day I find something.

[09669390]

I watched a documentary on Psychopaths. It is the equivalent of a cat playing with a mouse. They simply do things without remorse.

Sociopaths are "shaped" by their environment. It is genetic factors that influences Psychopaths.

[sicmetal]

@eieiowens,

Actually, there are distinct differences in the two. Sociopaths usually cannot sustain a family or a job and their antisocial behavior is obvious. Whereas is a Psychopath, they can maintain a relationship and jobs and manipulate people into believing that they are normal.

[File1004]

Am I the only one who thought Darkly Dreaming Dexter was a piece of shit?

[Foldered]

@File1004 yes. even if the writing isn't brilliant, you have to give him credit for creating the foundation of such an interesting character. i did actually enjoy the book itself, but it wasn't by any means amazing.

[naal13]

@File1004

Was that the first book?? I´m asking because I didn´t read it in english and the title hadn´t been accurately transleted. If it is the first book, then I must disagree with you. I thought it was pretty good. This doesn´t apply to all the books in th series, but if you liked the first season of the TV show, you should like the first book. There are a lot of differences, but the main plot is the same and it was really well planned. But thats just my opinion. 8)

[ManInTheMirror124]

If i was to become a serial killer

you know what i would do

I would follow harrys code!

No lie

I bet it would work perfectly

BUT i wouldnt hide bodys in the water i would hide them in a big hole with concrete

[RylandJKenny]

@ManInTheMirror124 uhmm....

[eieiowens]

The Dexter of the books is NOT the Dexter of the show. The description given here applies only to the novels.

[eieiowens]

Quote:"Dexter is NOT a sociopath, he is clear cut psychopath."

WHAT!!!!???? Sociopath and Psychopath are the exact same thing.

You may have well have said "Dexter is NOT a sociopath, he is clear cut sociopath."

It makes absolutely no sense, and you don't know what the hell you are talking about with these terms. It sounds incredibly stupid!

[socstax]

Quote: "Sociopath and Psychopath are the exact same thing"

Speaking of incredibly stupid...

[LordBifford]

@socstax There is no formal universal definition of either term. Legal codes, institutions and individual researchers all have their own definitions.

[killakadafi77]

@socstax Lol, ignorance and stupidity are slightly different

[roypage2000]

@socstax

they are

[MeCALlica1992]

i don't think i would ever kill someone, but i do think if i did i wouldn't really care... i hear of people dying in tragic accidents all the time like, tsunamis, murders, terrorist attacks but i dont really care much and it doesnt strike me personaly as tragic... does that make me a psycho???

[UnknownGunslinger]

Thats normal. As if we get imune to these tragedys that surrounds our everyday, we hear about them on the tv, the newspaper, even when you log in to your e-mail. That constant flow of information makes us feel detached from those disasters. As Joseph Stalin said: When one dies, it is a tragedy. When a million die, it is a statistic. It is sad really but untill it becomes personal, you could never feel their full consequence, but on the other hand if you did you wouldnt possibly bare live with it

[Icedude91]

Swecan, sociopath and psychopath means the same thing really, but antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy are somewhat different.

ASPD is described as a milder form of psychopathy.

[worriedaboutlife]

I think sociopath and psychopath should mean something different - I don't care if they don't because I'm a sociopath

[Swecan76]

Dexter is NOT a sociopath, he is clear cut psychopath.

A sociopath can still have feelings for people close to him and actually feel remorse for hurting them.

They are not AS devoid of feeling like a psychopath is.

The problem with the show is that they portray him as a psychopath and then throw in a little sociopath.

The sociopath part is some slight feeling for innocents and that he has a "moral code" of only killing bad people

A psychopath would not make a distinction.

So he is both in a way

[PriestessLeah]

Hi Swecan, you're totally right. Most people think that psychopath and sociopath means the same thing but if they read what Dr. Hare and others have to say about that subject, they wouldn't feel that way.

A sociopath (AKA Secondary Psychopathy or Antisocials) is related to but not the same as Primary Psychopathy. Primaries are the ones completely lacking in feelings. And of course would never make a distinction between innocent and non-innocent.

[thenumberofthebeast6]

@Swecan76 if they made him exactly like the book the show would be darker and i dont think it would of made it past the firt season

[henriquejbmarcos]

7NUEGADOS

Maybe, most people you know, just aren't as cliche as you would expect from a Hollywood Drama, but they are not as empty as a sociopath, ther is this simple thing, you swear at someone's mom, they will probably get pissed for your disrespecting their mom, the psichopath if does get pissed is because, by swearing at his mom image you are disrespecting them (the psychopath)

Also, maybe they are not as emotional as you would like, but it's not like their as empty as a real sociop.

[henriquejbmarcos]

he was wondering if it would burn or explode, got a lighter, oil, and voila, burning, not-exploding dog.

was he sad about it ?

Wel no more dog(toy) to play with, found something else to do, went to sleep.

[henriquejbmarcos]

ABOUT THE LOVING OR NOT THE PETS.

do you have a favorite drink ? or perphaps when younger a toy or even some super-hero.

that 'love' is what a psychopath would feel for someone, or something.

They like the drink, but when they are full of it or the cup runs out of his beverage, he or she, will simply dispose of the emtpy can.

I knew a sociopath who had a dog once, he 'loved' the dog, played around whith it and everything, new-years eve he was wondering if the dog would burn. continues

[henriquejbmarcos]

"The human element given to Dexter is part of the shows marketing appeal." Couldn't say better myself

[SPOILER]

Brian Moser ( Rudy ) _ITK)

even though he is affectionate for Dexter, for everyone else he is a 'perfect sociopath'

the only major fail is that he is way too calm, most anti-social personality have rage attacks.

Lila is a better example, adding everyhting that Brian has, without the calm and loving, she does not love Dex, she is compulsive over him,

[phazzan]

Don't think Dexter is an accurate portrayal of a psychopath. For instance he is far too "nice" towards innocents. In reality a psychopath makes no distinction between innocent people and serial killers, they see everyone as equally worthless. The human element given to Dexter is part of the shows marketing appeal. Whoever empathised with a stone hearted serial killer?

[sf2k7]

not true. psychos know d difference between innocents n serial killers. they jus dont care.jus lyk they knw d difrence between ryt n wrong. they knw wrong but they dont FEEL it. they are intelectually normal if not even more intelligent than normal they r not machines they make choices they r not controlled. u wudnt kill sum1 because A-u knw its wrong B-ur conscience wudnt let u liv with it. psychopaths have A but not B. trus me i wud knw....;] wink wink

[01geTnM]

@sf2k7 Type full words, please

[iliketogodumb9353]

Sociopath and Psychopath arent the same thing go read without a conscience by robert hare...sociopaths can still feel emotions and psychopaths cannot also psychopaths are born like that

[EVILTIES]

you idiot, i love dexter too, but your wrong. sociopath is just a nicer way of saying psychopath. means the same thing. jackass.

[cannibalcreep]

Dexter is not a psychopath he is a Sociopath.

[XXxXMCR4EVAXxXX]

sme thing aint it?

[loveupskirts]

i got to read this book, im going to buy it on ebay or something

[shoumba]

I don't agree with his upbringing contributing to being a psychopath...these people tend to lie about their upbringing...

Today's society is an example that overindulgence leads to lack of morals, rather than the other way around.

All the negative experiences in my life have amplified my sense of compassion and I am very thankful that I went through them in order to understand and love things more deeply.

[HaleyWhite]

So cool, I also thought the book dexter was extremely realistic. I find the part about him not understanding emotional or physical intimacy is amazing and I think it's a shame the series failed to capture it.

[AscendentInLeo]

Can a Psychopath be an animal lover for Instance and be kind to animals with unconditional love for his or her´s pets as a result?.

[StewieGriffinFreak]

Think so ôo.

[tattattoottoot]

I doubt so.

[7NUEGADOS]

Im sorry but the description in the video fits most Americans i know;And i mean 85% of the ones i know

[kiril1]

Yes,psychopath can love animals.Some even like them more than human beings.Schizoid and explosive psychopaths,who have troubles with relationships with people.

Pshychopath doesn't mean a killer.

[GrapplerCM]

cool, i love Dexter

[Squishie669]

Jeff Lindsay= bigger thn the beatles