Psychological fringe phenomenon with creepy factor. We use the term psychopath quite frequently in our vocabulary. In fact, not all creepy, difficult, or sinister characters we've encountered in our lives properly fall under this label. By definition, psychopaths are people who are characterized primarily by callousness, antisocial behavior, and a complete lack of empathy.

From a psychological perspective, this diagnosis applies to only about 1 percent of the world's population, which is a reassuringly low number given their reputation. We mainly know the psychopath from horror movies or crime thrillers, where they appear as serial offenders and cause terror with their perfidious and sadistic actions.

However, they do not appear quite so prominently in everyday life. Psychopathic traits can also be exhibited by a neighbor, a work colleague or a new acquaintance. In this article, we'll show you 8 reliable traits that people with psychopathic tendencies have, so if in doubt, keep your distance.

1. They can be extremely charismatic.

Successful psychopaths are masters at pulling strings and making those around them dance on them. The most important prerequisite for this: a winning nature and a charismatic personality. Anyone who goes through life as an inconspicuous guy next door will hardly ever be able to influence other people the way real psychopaths do.

They are strong in character, articulate, and can even come across as downright charming. This fact also explains how they can so successfully weave their nets and catch unsuspecting people in them. This facade is maintained as long as their victims behave according to their expectations. Once they no longer fit the psychopath's concept, he shows his true colors quite quickly.

2. Their behavior is insincere and manipulative.

Correct behavior is rewarded, wrong behavior is punished. Psychopaths treat their fellow human beings according to this simple rule. They manipulate and dissemble masterfully until this tactic no longer produces the desired result. They have a real talent for probing the weak points of those around them and using them for their own purposes.

Emotional blackmail and the instigation and fomentation of feelings of guilt go hand in hand. This manipulative mind game is topped by flattery, false compliments and, if there is no other way, open threats, which can often be accompanied by aggression. The inglorious end of such stories is often phone and social-media terror and stalking.

3. They always blame others.

Similar to narcissists, psychopaths are not used to dealing with failures and defeats at all. It simply doesn't fit into their worldview when things are beyond their control and don't go as expected. An important outlet in these situations is therefore blaming third parties. Taking on the victim role is more than convenient for such characters. Thank goodness there is always a guilty party or person who can be held accountable if necessary.

4. They lack empathy

This trait is most often mentioned in connection with psychopaths. However, the complete lack of empathy and the ability to put oneself in the shoes of other people and their emotional world is also an important prerequisite for going through life as a successful psychopath.

Anyone who possesses even a glimmer of empathy would hardly be able to play with his contemporaries as if they were chess pieces, putting their peace of mind and mental health at risk. Watching with sadistic glee as you slowly but surely drive your fellow human beings to programmed insanity can only succeed if you have not the first shred of empathy.

5. Impulsive behavior is the order of the day

One minute charming and attentive, the next minute aggressive and vicious. These mood swings are not uncommon among psychopaths. They make use of arbitrary carrot and stick tactics, depending on their whim and need. Life with them is like a single roller coaster ride and is characterized by risk-taking and repeated circumvention of rules and laws.

Psychopaths see themselves outside social norms and also outside the legal system. They act for fun, irresponsibly, and do not feel bound by the moral standards of society. The fact that they endanger not only themselves, but mainly the general public, is of no importance to them.

Unfortunately, psychopaths usually get further with their criminal excesses than those individuals who lack these traits. The notorious lying and twisting of the truth benefits them as much as the complete lack of remorse or a natural understanding of guilt. Theoretically, then, psychopaths are the perfect criminals.

6. They lie like it’s their job

Psychopaths make use of lies to get what they want. Because they inherently feel neither empathy nor guilt, people with psychopathic traits view lying as a useful tool rather than a moral exception or wrongdoing. Of all their destructive and manipulative skills, they certainly succeed most easily in lying. Surprisingly, recent research has shown that psychopaths are also much better at debunking lies by others than people without this personality disorder.

7. Responsibility is a foreign word to them.

This point seems only logical. Those who know neither guilt nor empathy also skillfully evade any responsibility for their actions. Psychopathically inclined people are emotionally stuck somewhere at toddler level and steadfastly refuse to behave like adults. This is true especially when it runs counter to their perfidious intentions and desire for power and control; the strict shirking of responsibility is what makes the explosive mixture that ultimately characterizes psychopaths as so dangerous to the general public in the long run.

8. They know no guilt

Lack of remorse is one of the most telltale signs of psychopathy. Due to their lack of empathy, psychopaths do not consider transgressions in which a person suffers harm as morally reprehensible. The logical consequence of this lack of guilt is violent, illegal, or unethical behavior.

Today’s Conclusion: bad behavior, bad prospects.

Even if the actual percentage of genuine psychopaths is in the vanishingly small range, one would not like to run into them completely unaware. However, this wish is more easily expressed than fulfilled, for just because not all of the 8 traits mentioned are present, does not mean we can be sure we’re not dealing with a psychopath in everyday life.

When we notice behaviors that we personally do not tolerate, vigilance is indicated. Once you find yourself in the clutches of such a person, you will not get out again so quickly, at least not unscathed. When dealing with new acquaintances or perhaps even potential partners, the following therefore applies:

Anyone who does not treat you with the respect and decency that you are prepared to show your fellow human beings is not operating on your social wavelength. If you are blinded, seek the advice of friends and family before embarking on a journey with an uncertain outcome. Psychopaths are not companions. Even if in real life you don't necessarily pay for their company with your life, as shown in movies, yours will never be the same afterwards. That's it for today.

CAREFUL! Don’t Fall Into the Clutches of a Psychopath!