logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2022
43m 29s

Why psychopathy is more common than you ...

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
About this episode
Most of us think we know what a psychopath looks like. The word brings to mind images of horror movies and criminals. But psychopathy is far more common than most people realize, and actually hard to recognize in other people. Abigail Marsh, PhD, of Georgetown University, discusses what researchers have learned about the causes of psychopathy and effective t ... Show More
Up next
Today
The Science of Suicide Prevention, with Matthew Nock, PhD
The U.S. suicide rate today is almost identical to what it was a century ago, even as death rates from many other causes have dropped. Matthew Nock, PhD, of Harvard University, discusses why it’s so hard to predict who will act on suicidal thoughts -- and when; how new tools, fro ... Show More
38m 55s
Sep 9
Why does music move us? With Robert Zatorre, PhD
Why does music give many of us goosebumps, bring back vivid memories and make us want to dance -- but leaves some people cold? Robert Zatorre, author of “From Perception to Pleasure: The Neuroscience of Music and Why We Love It,” discusses how music engages the brain’s reward sys ... Show More
49m 56s
Sep 2
How teaching and learning will change in the age of AI, with C. Edward Watson, PhD, and Beth Schwartz, PhD
Over the past several years, generative AI has moved into classrooms at lightning speed. C. Edward Watson, PhD, author of “Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning,” and Beth Schwartz, PhD, senior director of teaching and learning at APA, discuss how stu ... Show More
48m 22s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
How to see the humanity in everyone — even people you don’t like (w/ Abigail Marsh)
Why is American culture so fascinated with psychopathic people and true crime stories? Why don’t billionaires give more? What makes some people so generous that they’d undergo surgery to donate an organ to a complete stranger? These are the kinds of questions that Abigail Marsh, ... Show More
43m 15s
Jul 2014
026 How to Identify a Psychopath or Sociopath
“Psychopath” and “sociopath” are words that often get used interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same. Regardless of semantics, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals how to spot the heartless, charming evil of a psychopath or sociopath. Read the transcript: http: ... Show More
8m 33s
Apr 2020
Psychopaths and Superheroes
We talk a lot about psychopaths - but rarely discuss their polar opposites, super altruists. These are people who go to extreme lengths to help others - even though their acts of kindness might cost them time, money or expose them to physical danger. These folk are also happier t ... Show More
29m 36s
Apr 2023
The Wisdom of Psychopaths
When most people think of psychopaths, they think of uniformly monstrous characters who lack empathy and conscience.But my guest says that those characteristics are just one part of the spectrum of traits that make up psychopathy, and while always having these traits turned up hi ... Show More
57m 53s
Sep 2017
How Psychopaths Work
<p>There are people who walk among us who seem normal, maybe even more charming or intelligent than average, yet they hide disturbing and at times dangerous personalities behind what one researcher called a 'mask of sanity.'</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href ... Show More
47m 44s
Oct 2025
344. Sociopathy
We’ve all heard the term thrown around – in books, in TV dramas, in news articles – we’re taught to be scared of it. But rarely do we consider what it actually means. In today’s bonus episode, we take a look at sociopathy. We explore: Differentiating sociopathy and psychopathy Co ... Show More
30m 35s
Jan 2015
7: "What is it like to be a psychopath?"
“Cognitive neuroscientist Kent Kiehl discusses his research and personal experience working with “those without conscience.” Scott and Kent demystify the historically fascinating illness as it relates to criminal activity, genius, evil, flourishing, the brain, gender and treatmen ... Show More
1h 5m
Apr 2024
What's the Difference Between Sociopathy and Psychopathy?
Popular culture throws around the terms 'sociopath' and 'psychopath' a lot, but neither is a real mental health diagnosis. Learn about the actual traits and conditions behind these terms in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental ... Show More
9m 33s