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
Jul 29
Encore: Why you should aim to be a “good enough” parent, with Tim Cavell, PhD, and Lauren Quetsch, PhD
Being a parent can be tough these days. Dozens of books and articles offer competing answers to questions from how to help siblings get along to how much screen time is too much, and every decision you make feels important. It's no wonder that many parents feel tired, stressed, a ... Show More
43m 34s
Jul 22
AI “de-skilling”: What happens when we offload our work to AI? With Brooke Macnamara, PhD
From writing emails to analyzing medical images, AI is becoming a routine part of many people's work. These tools can boost productivity and free us from tedious tasks -- but what happens when we start relying on them for skills that once required years of practice to develop? Br ... Show More
34m 47s
Jul 15
Social media, looksmaxxing, and why men struggle with body image, with Roberto Olivardia, PhD
For years, body image concerns and eating disorders were viewed as problems that primarily affected girls and women. But boys and men also struggle with body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia -- often in ways that go unnoticed. Roberto Olivardia, PhD, a clini ... Show More
45m 28s
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
Aug 2025
Are you a psychopath? Debunking myths and looking for nuance in "dark" traits
What does the word “psychopath” really mean—and how often are we getting it wrong? Can someone have some psychopathic traits and still be empathetic? How often are we embracing simplistic ideas of what the terms psychopath and sociopath mean? Are those online “Are you a psychopat ... Show More
1h 8m
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