Jack the Ripper: A Textbook Psychopath?

[Nemo]

Further to Jon Rees' article in Ripperologist 101, I thought I would list the criteria for antosocial personality disorder so as to stimulate discussion on the criteria and whether or not you "feel" that they fit the Ripper


1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated by repeatedly performing acts
that are grounds for arrest.

2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.

3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.

4. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults.

5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.

6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour finan-
cial obligations.

7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from
another.

[Big Jon]

I recently purchased the Oxford Dictionary of Psychology so thought I'd write what it has to say on the disorder:

"A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, beginning in childhood or early adolescence and continuing into adulthood."

It then goes on to list a set of criteria which Nemo has already listed.

Interestingly enough, this dictionary appears to draw a subtle distinction between anti social personality disorder (sociopath) and a psychopath, which is not something I came across in my research for the article.

According to this the disorders are roughly the same, but psychopaths will also display superficial charm, pathological lying, egocentricity, a lack of remorse and calousness

[Nemo]

Hi Jon

Would you consider that a psychopath is like an "active" anti-social person - ie criminal

Whereas a sociopath can be "passively" anti-social - ie apathetic

[Big Jon]

I'd say that people with either disorder could be active or passive. I believe that there are many psychopaths around us who do not kill, but lead normal lives. Whereas I think there are many sociopaths who undoubtedly do horrible and criminal acts.

If I was to give examples from fiction:

Sociopath - Tony Soprano

Psychopath - Hannibal Lecter

[Nemo]

Yes interesting...

I would expect some dramatic acts from a sociopath, but somehow I regard a psychopath as more concious of imposing himself on those around him, where I regard a sociopath as more reactionary - if that makes sense

a "set" of serial killers who were all able to be diagnosed as "psychopathic" would still have vastly different MO's and reasons for their killing sprees

I would have thought that within the category of psychopaths there must be smaller categories in which we could put the serial con-man type organised and greatly pre-meditated killer, and the manic, frenzied, impulsive type killer

[Big Jon]

I think the psychopath would be better at putting his victims at ease with their superficial charm.

I quite agree, 10 psychopaths or sociopaths who all commit the same crime might do it for different reasons or in different ways. It alone cannot be used as a motive, except for explaining their blase attitude to human life. But one does not have to have either disorder to be a cold calculated killer. It is just one piece of a very large jigsaw.

[Nemo]

Agreed.

Fascinating subject the human mind...

[Big Jon]

Should have included this image!