quote:

ORIGINAL: MarcEsadrian

The human mind is (thus far) impossible to quantify. While we can generally measure brain activity, poke around its anatomy and make rudimentary observations about its nature, there is so much we don't understand about it. The brain is, as far as we know, the most complex arrangement of matter known to science, but the complexity doesn't stop with neurons and chemical baths; the neural syntax itself is without a doubt the most difficult thing we could ever hope to crack.

I suppose the reason I bring all that up is to flesh out the reality that these psych terms are generalizations which are used often with a vast degree of armchair authority. It's tempting to hurl these phrases at people we have come to dislike when they have wronged us somehow, but our diagnosis are forever foreshadowed by our own moral slants. What is a conscience, exactly? It would be nice if we could pop the hood and say, "ah, there it is," or, "oh, we'll need to get a new one."

I believe there's a more reptile part in all of us; a part we don't dare show much to the world, and sometimes even to ourselves, but it's there. We're all sociopaths, if we look long and hard enough in the mirror.

Edited to add: I'm not a sociopath. I'm a nice guy. No, really.

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Some sociopaths have never killed anybody, some have, so what seperates the two?

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ORIGINAL: sirsholly

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Some sociopaths have never killed anybody, some have, so what seperates the two?

some "normal" individuals have killed someone, and others haven't.

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Only a trained professional can truly make the diagnosis, but those that have come face to face with one, know it when we see it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: allthatjaz

InTonguesslut Im not sure why your so up in arms over this.

What I gave was an example of what could be. I never said categorically that this man is a sociopath but that he was acting like one.

Read what I said. I said that my friend used the word sociopath. I didn't say how she used it, I just said she used the word. You wanted confirmation of why that was and I gave it. You chose to make a decision on that, that's your choice but
from where I'm sitting its you that's getting your knickers in a twist.

Ok so you don't like labels... well you know what? some do and some don't and some of us accept that some do and some don't but this is a debate and not a vindictive pay back, as you seem to think.

quote:

ORIGINAL: InTonguesslut

quote:

ORIGINAL: allthatjaz

InTonguesslut Im not sure why your so up in arms over this.

What I gave was an example of what could be. I never said categorically that this man is a sociopath but that he was acting like one.

Read what I said. I said that my friend used the word sociopath. I didn't say how she used it, I just said she used the word. You wanted confirmation of why that was and I gave it. You chose to make a decision on that, that's your choice but
from where I'm sitting its you that's getting your knickers in a twist.

Ok so you don't like labels... well you know what? some do and some don't and some of us accept that some do and some don't but this is a debate and not a vindictive pay back, as you seem to think.

I'm actually quite bored of it now. There is absofuckinglutely no way that you can spot a sociopath when you see one unless you are qualified to do so and i'll bet even then some get missed.
 
You entitled this thread sociopath dominants implying that the dom you spoke of was a sociopath. You even went as far as to describe his behaviour which in my opinion was just classic ass hole stuff. Perhaps he is a sociopath but really i think we should leave it to the professionals to diagnose this shit.
 
If you weren't implying this dom was a sociopath why not entitle it neutrally. Why is it you only implied doms could be sociopaths?
 

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"See, there is no one accepted clinical definition of sociopathy. This is my take on it: the sociopath refuses to accept the social definition of right or wrong. They apply their own personal definitions at all levels of social function, including on an individual level. The sociopath does not resist society, they simply ignore it; and so it is actually possible for the sociopath to agree with society without supporting it. The sociopath does not play well with others, they do what suits them. This doesn't mean putting themselves in harm's way; they will try to implement their own opinions whenever possible but not to their own detriment. That's why they blend in so well."

There may be specific traits as mentioned but unless the person is being seen in a clinical situation by a trained profession, I don't think we can just slap a label on someone because we don't like their attitude or behaviours, based on something we've read in a forum posting. Especially since based on what's being discussed, it's based on what "society" deems right and wrong, regardless of what a person believes for themselves. I'm not talking about some of the more extreme actions like rape and murder but more like actions of what could be self-preservation. Why if person "A" does something or says something they're a sociopath yet if person "B" does the same thing, they're just a jackass bastard or being careful? I happen to agree with Lumus' thought of "I liken defining a sociopath by social mores to defining an aethiest by the Torah. It doesn't work."

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ORIGINAL: allthatjaz

This man takes control by being everything the submissive could ever of hoped for but then starts to fleece them of there money. He tells them he wants to marry them, spend the rest of his life with them and he has been known for doing this to two different women on different nights of the week. Once he has what he wants he's gone but not before he has found another victim to move in with.
The other thing he did was lie continually about his career, his money, his education, his experiences and of course about where he was yesterday night.
He moves in very wide circles and so his reputation doesn't follow him quickly but this particular sub who has investigated him was persuaded through his control to rid herself of her BDSM circles and for a while she did.

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ORIGINAL: Ialdabaoth

"Sociopath" is one of those incredibly useful words, like "pedophile" or "communist" or "heretic" or "witch".

Sometimes, it even has actual meaning, but that's rarely the purpose for which it's uttered.

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ORIGINAL: sirsholly

quote:

"See, there is no one accepted clinical definition of sociopathy. This is my take on it: the sociopath refuses to accept the social definition of right or wrong. They apply their own personal definitions at all levels of social function, including on an individual level. The sociopath does not resist society, they simply ignore it; and so it is actually possible for the sociopath to agree with society without supporting it. The sociopath does not play well with others, they do what suits them. This doesn't mean putting themselves in harm's way; they will try to implement their own opinions whenever possible but not to their own detriment. That's why they blend in so well."

There may be specific traits as mentioned but unless the person is being seen in a clinical situation by a trained profession, I don't think we can just slap a label on someone because we don't like their attitude or behaviours, based on something we've read in a forum posting. Especially since based on what's being discussed, it's based on what "society" deems right and wrong, regardless of what a person believes for themselves. I'm not talking about some of the more extreme actions like rape and murder but more like actions of what could be self-preservation. Why if person "A" does something or says something they're a sociopath yet if person "B" does the same thing, they're just a jackass bastard or being careful? I happen to agree with Lumus' thought of "I liken defining a sociopath by social mores to defining an aethiest by the Torah. It doesn't work."

outstanding post Rain...but i want to add a thing or two. A sociopath does acknowledge societies rules for himself when they suit him, but acknowledges the rules for others at all times.
And there is little or no conscience, little or no acknowledgment of the effect his negative behaviors have on others. He is expert at table turning to make the consequences of his behavior the responsibility of his victim

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ORIGINAL: InTonguesslut

I have a dislike for words like sociopath and the little box that it conveniently puts a person into. It is automatically assumed that the person is a bad one and that they should be avoided at all costs. Now whilst i can understand this aversion to someone displaying the qualities (omg can you believe they used the word qualities to describe the traits lol) listed i have to wonder how many people actually stop to think why they behave this way? How many people try to undertand these people? How many people try to help these people? I'm betting most just for the hills away from them.