19_04_0_EDU_psicopatas

"We use the term psychopath as a convention but we have to qualify what subject psychopath we are talking about. There are integrated psychopaths who do not engage in criminal behavior. Most of them fall into this category". This was stated at the University of Navarra by psychologist and criminologist Vicente Garrido at a lecture attended by more than 100 people, including students, professors and professionals.

In it he addressed psychopathy as a "fundamental problem of psychology".. In this sense, he reflected on whether as a society we should be concerned about psychopathy: "Yes, as long as there are types of psychopaths (who do not necessarily have to have criminal behavior) who have not been diagnosed and hold positions of power," he said.

The expert specified that there is no biological evidence that determines and allows the diagnosis of this subject of subjects. In addition, he explained the characteristics that define types of psychopathic profiles: "instability to the emotions of others/lack of empathy, impulsivity and irresponsibility, egocentrism, narcissism, charisma, manipulation, etc.".  

The psychologist pointed out that when it comes to researching and assessing traits, it is difficult to do so in community settings and that, when it is done, it is generally done in university contexts. "Self-reports are used in which people assess the extent to which what is exposed fits their personality," he stressed. He also stressed that psychopaths do not seek therapy: "They are egocentric and narcissistic, so they feel phenomenal and at ease with themselves".

Psychopaths can change

Vicente Garrido concluded that there is little research on the effectiveness of treatment of psychopaths. In his opinion, personality traits that are deeply rooted in the person are present in psychopathy. "How do we change a person who is egocentric or narcissistic?" he wondered. "It's difficult. Today we know that it is possible to change how the subject values facts. I am confident that psychopaths can change to the extent that they change their expectations," he said.

This session was part of the conference of Psychology Experience organized by the School of Education and Psychology of the University of Navarra. The sessions have as goal that students expose knowledge about real and fictitious cases, as well as experiences learned during their internships in the field of Health Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Psychology of work and Organizations.