Bite-Sized Psychology
What Does a Female Psychopath Look Like?
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Have you ever met a psychopath?
In truth, the odds are fairly good. An estimated 1 in 100 people fit the definition of a psychopath.
So the chances are, you have at least one psychopath in your life.
Hear the word psychopath and most of us think of violent, dominant men.
The truth is, we don’t hear a lot about female psychopaths but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. That being said, research does indicate that there are fewer female psychopaths than males.
However, a compounding factor leading to the underestimation of the rate of psychopathy in women could be behavioral differences that cause them to slip under society’s radar.
But Before We Begin, What Actually Is Psychopathy?
Psychopathy is a personality disorder (Anti Social personality Disorder or ASPD) characterized by a number of behavioral traits including lack of empathy, guilt or remorse, and being manipulative and deceitful.
Psychopaths can get away with these behaviors because they are superficially charming. They observe human emotions and mimic love, fear, remorse and other emotions well enough to go undetected.
Now — How Are Female Psychopaths Unique?
Because we rarely discuss female psychopaths or see them in the movies, we are not as good at spotting them as male psychopaths.
Here are two key differences:
The difference in Aggression — Male vs Female Psychopaths
Male psychopaths tend to display their aggression behaviorally. They engage in physical assault, abuse animals, or commit violent crimes.
This explains why the percentage of psychopaths in male prisons is double that of female prisons. Male psychopaths are more likely to engage in violent behavior hence are more likely to get caught and locked up.
Female psychopaths, on the other hand, tend to display their aggression relationally. They gaslight and spread gossip about you behind your back to the point that you doubt your own reality. They are master puppeteers, pulling people’s strings to get what they want.
The difference in Narcissism — Male vs Female Psychopaths
All psychopaths are high in narcissism but male psychopaths tend to shout their self-praise from the rooftops. They tend to brag about their accomplishments in every conversation and show their superiority any chance they get.
Female psychopaths on the other hand, are more covert about their narcissistic tendencies. They smile and praise you face-to-face but think they are better than you behind your back.
“Using that charm and confidence to get people to do things for you that they otherwise wouldn’t? Some might call it manipulation, but I like to consider it simply using what God gave me.
And the word manipulation is so ugly. It’s what people say to disavow their own choices. If they end up never regretting their decision, does that mean that no one has manipulated them?”
— M.E. Thomas, Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight
So, while female psychopaths are not all raging killers like Catherine’s character in Basic Instinct, they certainly exist and can be as violent, cunning, and calculated as their male counterparts.
They’re your CEO, lawyer, doctor, or even beloved celebrity.
The good news is if there is a psychopath in your life, he or she is not likely to kill you. But the bad news is that they are likely to make your life miserable and harm you in less obvious ways. This is why detection is key.
Remember, the only way to beat a psychopath at their own game is to refuse to play.
