8 Ways To Tell If You're A Psychopath

7. Is It In Your Genes?

There are some, including the guy who came up with the standardised psychopath test, who theorise about the psychopath from an evolutionary perspective. As it is generally accepted that there is a genetic component to the disorder, it must be passed down through the generations.

Although it seems like an unlikely trait to pass on, as people don't generally like to settle down and build a life with somebody who is completely devoid of empathy, there are certain aspects of psychopathy that would actually make them incredibly successful, evolutionarily speaking.

In the context of our ancient ancestors, risky behaviour, competitiveness and the goal-oriented nature of psychopathy are all good survival strategies. Studies also seem to suggest that risky behaviour even makes men more attractive to the opposite sex. This coupled with the fact that psychopaths tend to be successful and powerful would make them pretty attractive options.

It is, however, the anti-social nature of psychopaths that might have prevented it from becoming an overwhelmingly common trait. Anthropologists tend to think that it is the cooperative side of human nature that is responsible for much of our evolutionary success. The aversion to altruism in psychopaths would likely have kept them as a fringe group, but one that perpetuates all the same.