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Writing The Psychopath (10 Examples & 10 Scripts Inc.)

Monday, 15 july 2019.

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How to Describe a Psychopath in a Story

By Isobel Coughlan

Is a character in your novel a psychopath? Do you need some interesting words to describe this character? This post will help you. In it, we share examples of how to describe a psychopath in a story using 10 adjectives.

1. Threatening

Someone with aggressive behavior that may harm someone else.

“The policeman gulped as he locked eyes with the threatening man. His psychotic gaze was as cold as ice.”

“The medical team confirmed that the threatening psychopath was a danger to society.”

How it Adds Description

If you want to show that your psychopath is a dangerous character, “threatening” is the word to use. This shows that the character has the potential to harm others, and thus other characters may try to hunt them down and isolate them from society. Most other characters will likely be scared of a “threatening” psychopath as they don’t want to be physically or mentally hurt.

2. Unnoticeable

Someone who’s not easily detected or seen .

“Once out of jail and in the city, the psychotic woman was unnoticeable . The authorities couldn’t find him anywhere.”

“Most people thought she was a lovely lady, but underneath her charming personality was an unnoticeable psychopath.”

“Unnoticeable” can be used to describe a psychopath that doesn’t draw lots of attention to themselves. This could be because they hide their psychopathic tendencies or because they’re very high functioning. Other characters may never even notice their true personality throughout the novel.

Someone who is very angry .

“Whenever he spoke, you could hear the rage in the furious psychopath’s voice.”

“The police officers didn’t know the psychopath was furious and that they were the target of her fury.”

If your psychopath has been wronged or wants to get revenge, they may be “furious.” This emotion might provoke them to go on a rampage or to hurt other characters, even if they don’t deserve it. A “furious” psychopath likely scares most other characters away due to their insatiable moods and unpredictable behavior.

4. Reserved

Someone who is quiet or keeps their emotions hidden.

“Unlike the TV stereotypes of psychopaths, she was much more reserved than the jury expected.”

“The reserved woman sat amongst her colleagues, hiding her psychopathic nature while observing their actions.”

Not all psychopaths are loud and aggressive. Many are quiet and calculating, especially when watching others to try and mimic their behavior. “Reserved” shows that your psychopath is staying quiet and hiding their true thoughts from the characters around them. This might make them more difficult to connect with, and other characters may ignore them.

5. Peculiar

Someone who acts in an unusual and unpleasant way.

“Though he wasn’t officially diagnosed as a psychopath, he knew there was something peculiar about him.”

“The FBI checked through their psychopath files to find the peculiar man.”

Sometimes psychopaths act in strange ways that stand out to the average person. If your fictional psychopath does this, they might be deemed “peculiar,” and other characters may try to find them and work out why they’re behaving strangely. Their “peculiar” actions may also be off-putting to others, leaving them alone in society.

Someone who’s quick to notice and understand things.

“The escaped psychopath was sharp and realized the CIA was trailing him long before they tried to make a move.”

“Emma has always been a sharp girl, but everyone was shocked when the doctor deemed her a psychopath.”

Many psychopaths are very intelligent, and you can show your reader that your character is clever by using the word “sharp.” This adjective also hints that they notice things quickly, and this could help them when trying to outsmart others or get their own way.

7. Deceitful

Someone who is dishonest and tricks others.

“He was a charming man, but none of the ladies he swooned knew that he was a deceitful psychopath — his looks clouded their vision every time.”

“The lady didn’t even realize her actions were deceitful . It was just how she journeyed through life as a psychopath.”

“Deceitful” is perfect to describe a psychopathic character who takes advantage of others and lies frequently. This will make them very hard to trust, especially if they’re the narrator of your story. Many characters won’t notice their lies, as “deceitful” psychopaths are very good at hiding their true intentions.

8. Frightening

Something or someone that makes you feel anxious and afraid .

“There was nothing more frightening than a psychopath with a motive.”

“Jenny knew her best friend was a psychopath, but unlike most people, she didn’t find him frightening . In fact, she was fascinated by his mind.”

If your psychopath displays aggressive or unpredictable behavior, many other characters may find them “frightening.” This shows they’re no longer hiding their psychopathic traits and that other people have noticed their behavior is scary.

Someone or something that makes you feel nervous .

“The creepy man gave everyone on the train a nervous feeling. But they still didn’t realize he was a dangerous psychopath.”

“Despite the psychopath’s best attempts to reign in his personality, he still appeared creepy to most people.”

Unlike scary or frightening, “creepy” shows that the psychopath makes others feel nervous but not completely afraid. They likely notice something is off about the psychopath but can’t put their finger on why. Psychopaths who are “creepy” are likely showing common symptoms, such as the tendency to lie or disregard other characters’ rights.

10. Infuriating

Someone that is very annoying .

“I’ve had it with that infuriating man! Something needs to be done — we can’t have a psychopath in our town any longer.”

“The infuriating woman showed no remorse for her actions in court. However, this was common behavior for someone with psychotic tendencies.”

If a psychopath is “infuriating,” it hints that other characters are getting fed up with their actions. Characters who are trying to stop them or arrest them may call them “infuriating,” especially if they’ve just escaped or evaded police custody.

How Do You Write a Convincing Psychopath Character?

Crafting a psychopathic character can be an exciting challenge for a writer. Introducing such a complex figure in your narrative requires a thorough understanding of the traits, behaviors, and mindset of a psychopath. Here’s a useful guide to help you in your creative journey.

Understanding a Psychopath

A psychopath usually exhibits distinct features. They tend to be manipulative and deceitful, often resorting to lying to achieve their goals, and showing a total disregard for the feelings of others. The desire for control is also a common trait in psychopaths, becoming upset or even aggressive if things don’t go their way.

Emotional Aspects

Emotionally , psychopaths often lack empathy and emotional intelligence. Their emotions are usually not authentic; rather, they mimic what they believe to be an appropriate reaction to a given situation. Consequently, they might face difficulties forming genuine relationships due to their inability to feel emotions like an average person.

Behavioral Characteristics

Manipulation and control.

Psychopaths are known for their manipulative behavior , using cunning and deceit to bend others to their will. A psychopath’s world revolves around themselves and they may resort to anything to ensure things swing their way.

Revenge and Dominance

Revenge is often a preferred dish for psychopaths, especially if something or someone crosses their well-controlled plans. A psychopath might spend an extensive time meticulously planning and executing their vengeance.

Self-centeredness and Superiority

Self-love and a sense of superiority are major elements of a psychopath’s personality. They are likely to consider themselves the best, take credit for other’s work, and dominate every aspect of their life.

No Genuine Relationships

Although capable of faking emotions and relationships, psychopaths usually fail to form lasting and genuine bonds with other individuals. They often view relationships through a self-centered lens, placing their interests above all.

Creating a Psychopath

When creating a psychopathic character , be careful to avoid stereotyping or generalizing. Remember, being a psychopath doesn’t necessarily mean your character is a serial killer. They could be a cold-hearted business tycoon, a manipulative lover, or an unethical politician. Imagination is your limit!

Psychopath vs. Sociopath

It’s important to distinguish between psychopaths and sociopaths as they exhibit different characteristics. While both suffer from antisocial personality disorder and lack empathy, sociopaths are more prone to impulsive behavior and less to meticulous planning compared to psychopaths.

Writing a psychopath is more than just sprinkling some notorious deeds and snide remarks to make a character unsettling. It demands understanding, depth and a careful handling of the psychological aspects in play. Be creative, empathetic and observant, and your readers, too, will be riveted by your incredibly written psychopath.

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How to Write a Psychopath: Tips for Creating Chilling and Complex Characters

Have you ever wondered what makes a character truly chilling? Writing a psychopath can add depth and intrigue to your story, but it’s not as simple as it seems. You might find yourself stuck trying to balance their charm with their darker traits, leaving readers both fascinated and unsettled.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Understanding Psychopathy: A successful portrayal of a psychopath requires a nuanced grasp of their unique traits, including lack of empathy, superficial charm, and manipulative behaviors.
Common Myths: It’s important to debunk prevalent misconceptions, such as the belief that all psychopaths are violent or lack emotions. This understanding deepens character complexity.
Research is Crucial: Thoroughly investigating psychological profiles and real-life inspirations enriches your character development and provides a realistic foundation for storytelling.
Crafting a Backstory: A rich backstory that explores childhood influences, key life events, and relationships is vital in motivating a psychopath’s actions and traits.
Authentic Dialogue: Developing unique speech patterns, subtext, and emotional detachment in dialogue elevates the character’s portrayal and engages readers.
Creating Tension and Conflict: Introducing antagonistic relationships and exploring moral ambiguities adds depth to your story, creating a captivating narrative around the psychopath character.

Understanding Psychopathy

Psychopathy presents unique challenges when creating a character. It requires a nuanced understanding of their traits and the myths surrounding them.

Characteristics of a Psychopath

Psychopaths exhibit specific traits that set them apart from others. Here are some defining characteristics:

Lack of Empathy : Psychopaths show minimal emotional response to others’ feelings. They struggle to connect, making it hard for them to understand compassion.
Superficial Charm : Psychopaths often come off as charismatic and engaging. They possess an alluring quality that can captivate those around them.
Manipulativeness : Skilled at manipulation, psychopaths use charm and deceit to control or influence others.
Impulsivity : Impulsive behavior drives many decisions. Psychopaths often lack foresight and consider the consequences of their actions.
Grandiose Sense of Self : Many believe they are superior and more capable than others. This self-image can fuel their confidence and ambitions.

Recognizing these traits helps you craft a well-rounded, unsettling character.

Common Myths About Psychopaths

Several misconceptions surround psychopathy. Addressing these can enhance your character’s depth.

Myth 1: All Psychopaths Are Killers : While some psychopaths engage in violent behavior, not all do. Psychopathy exists on a spectrum; many lead seemingly ordinary lives.
Myth 2: Psychopaths Lack Emotions : Psychopaths experience emotions, but they process them differently. They may feel excitement or pleasure, but not empathy or guilt.
Myth 3: They’re Always Obvious : Psychopaths often blend into society. Their charm can mask their true nature, making them difficult to identify.
Myth 4: They Can’t Change : Some believe psychopaths are incapable of change. While it is challenging, therapy can sometimes lead to improved behaviors in certain individuals.

Understanding these myths not only enriches your character but also fosters a more authentic portrayal.

Researching Your Character

Understanding a psychopath requires thorough research. When you gather information, focus on their psychological complexity, behaviors, and real-life inspirations.

Psychological Profiles

Explore established psychological profiles of psychopaths. Key resources include research articles, books, and case studies. A strong foundation in psychopathy includes several characteristics:

Lack of Empathy : Psychopaths struggle to understand or share the feelings of others. Their decision-making often lacks emotional consideration.
Superficial Charm : Many psychopaths present themselves as charismatic. They often use charm to manipulate those around them.
Manipulativeness : Psychopaths excel in control tactics. They may exploit trusting individuals for personal gain.
Impulsivity : Actions often occur without thought of consequences. This behavior can lead to risky decisions that impact themselves and others.
Grandiose Sense of Self : They view themselves as superior or entitled. This belief fuels self-serving actions and justifies harmful behaviors.

Utilizing psychological resources provides clarity. Understanding these traits can help you create a believable and chilling character.

Real-World Inspirations

Draw inspiration from real-life psychopaths to enhance your character development. Highly publicized figures often serve as cautionary tales. Look into notable examples like:

Ted Bundy : His charm and intelligence masked violent tendencies, illustrating the complexity of psychopathy.
H.H. Holmes : Known as America’s first serial killer, his manipulative behaviors demonstrate a shallow emotional depth.
Charles Manson : An example of charisma utilized for control, he inspired loyalty in others despite his dangerous motives.

Incorporate elements from these cases into your character design. They provide relatable frameworks that resonate with audiences. Consider interviews, documentaries, or biographies. These sources reveal personal traits and behaviors that add authenticity to your writing.

Researching these aspects ensures a well-rounded psychopathic character that captivates readers.

Crafting the Narrative

Creating a compelling narrative for a psychopath demands careful thought and precision. Writers must delve into the character’s complexities to engage readers authentically.

Building a Compelling Backstory

Develop a rich backstory that explains the character’s motivations. Consider these elements:

Childhood Influence : Explore how early experiences shaped their personality. Did they face neglect or abuse? Such factors often fuel manipulative behaviors.
Key Events : Include defining moments in their life. For example, a traumatic experience could lead to a lack of empathy or impulsive decisions.
Relationships : Examine their connections with others. How do they interact with family, friends, or partners? These dynamics reveal significant traits, like manipulativeness or superficial charm.

Example: A character raised in a strict household might develop a grandiose sense of self as a defense mechanism.

Developing Authentic Dialogue

Crafting authentic dialogue elevates your character’s portrayal. Focus on these strategies:

Unique Speech Patterns : Give your psychopath distinctive ways of speaking. This may include persuasive language or charming rhetoric that hides their darker intentions.
Subtext : Ensure dialogue carries undertones. Often, they might agree with others outwardly while plotting something else internally.
Emotional Detachment : Their words may lack genuine emotion. Use flat delivery for important statements to highlight their lack of empathy.

Example: When discussing a crime, they may express shock in a detached manner, focusing more on the details than the human impact.

Creating Tension and Conflict

Creating tension and conflict around your psychopath character enhances the overall narrative. Use relationships and moral dilemmas to illustrate this complexity.

Antagonistic Relationships

Develop antagonistic relationships that reveal the psychopath’s darker traits.

Show manipulation : Your psychopath often bends others to their will. Use characters who trust them only to face betrayal.
Highlight conflict : Introduce characters who resist the psychopath. This could include victims, rivals, or law enforcement figures. Their pushback creates tension.
Illustrate chaos : Scene examples could involve the psychopath sabotaging a colleague’s work or turning friends against each other. The unpredictability heightens the drama.

Exploring Moral Ambiguities

Explore moral ambiguities to further complicate your storytelling.

Challenge ethics : Your psychopath may justify harmful actions as necessary. This invites the reader to question right and wrong.
Present dilemmas : Craft scenarios where characters face difficult choices, balancing compassion and self-preservation. This reveals the impact of the psychopath’s actions on others.
Add depth : Use real-life examples, such as historical figures or notable criminals. Showcase how their choices caused societal impact, further pushing readers to grapple with moral complexity.

By developing relationships filled with conflict and exploring moral gray areas, you’ll embed your psychopath character within a narrative full of tension that captivates and unsettles readers.

Crafting a psychopath character is a thrilling yet challenging endeavor. By understanding their complex traits and motivations you can create a figure that both intrigues and disturbs your readers. Remember to draw from real-life inspirations and ensure your character has a compelling backstory that adds depth.

As you weave tension and moral dilemmas into your narrative keep your readers guessing about the character’s next move. With careful research and thoughtful development your psychopath can leave a lasting impression that resonates long after the final page. Happy writing and enjoy the process of bringing your chilling character to life!

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a psychopath in character writing.

A psychopath is characterized by traits like lack of empathy, superficial charm, manipulativeness, impulsivity, and a grandiose sense of self. In writing, it’s crucial to balance their appealing qualities with darker traits to create a chilling character that intrigues and unsettles readers.

How can I research psychopathy for my writing?

Writers can research psychopathy through various sources, including research articles, psychology books, and case studies. Understanding psychological profiles and real-life examples can help create a more authentic and captivating portrayal of a psychopath in fiction.

What are common myths about psychopaths?

Common myths include the belief that all psychopaths are violent killers or that they lack any emotions. In reality, while they can lack empathy, psychopaths often use charm and manipulation without resorting to violence.

How important is backstory in crafting a psychopath character?

A compelling backstory is crucial as it helps explain the character’s motivations and behaviors. Exploring their childhood, key life events, and relationships can reveal significant traits and deepen the reader’s understanding of the character.

What role does dialogue play in portraying a psychopath?

Authentic dialogue is vital for showcasing a psychopath’s unique speech patterns and emotional detachment. It should convey subtext and manipulate emotions, adding depth to the character and enhancing their chilling effect in the narrative.

How can tension be created around a psychopath character?

Tension can be developed through antagonistic relationships that highlight manipulative and deceitful traits. Introducing characters who resist the psychopath and exploring moral dilemmas can further heighten conflict and engagement in the story.

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Writing the Literary Psychopath

We all know that unrepentantly evil characters are the most fun to write. But how do you make a psychopath memorable, and more than just the tired one-dimensional shock value trope of airport novels?

Make them a literary psychopath: a well-written, believable character that isn’t just a diabolical all-knowing plot device.

Having read far too many books featuring them than is probably healthy, I’ll focus on three—Humbert Humbert of Lolita , Patricia Highsmith’s “ The Talented Mr. Ripley ,” and for gender balance, Lilly Dillon from Jim Thompson’s The Grifters (watch the movie! Anjelica Huston rocks the role). For bonus reading, Thompson’s The Killer Inside Me features the stone-cold scary narrator Sheriff Lou Ford.

What is a psychopath?

For purposes of brevity, see Robert D. Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), considered the definitive criterium.

Both psychopathy and sociopathy are classified as anti-social personality disorders. There’s a lot of debate among mental health professionals on whether “sociopath” is an outdated term or not. Here’s one perspective on the differences .

Some basic tenets about the literary psychopath

Part of the excitement of a psychopath is his or her unpredictability. Yours doesn’t have to be everything on this list.

Psychopaths don’t seem so bad compared to other characters who also lack true north on their moral compasses. Humbert is self-delusional, deceitful and morally bankrupt. However, Nabokov satirically sets him against Ramsdale’s college town intelligentsia who are all hypocritical, competitive, petty, childish, selfish, manipulative bourgeois poseurs who commit offences against intellect and taste. Think Charlotte Haze and her faux-European airs. And Humbert never subjected Lolita to orgies and acting in porn films like Clare Quilty did. In contrast, Humbert acted out of what he claims is pure love and adoration.

In Ripley , Dickie Greenleaf’s only contributions to the world are his bad paintings. He is a lazy and ungrateful son who won’t visit his dying mother. Tom Ripley, on the other hand, writes the Greenleafs warm letters and acts more like the dutiful offspring. Marge, Tom’s rival for Dickie, is described cruelly, with a “gourd-like” physique and an “ugly” voice. She loses any sympathy we might have had when she sells photos of her life with Dickie to a scandal-rag newspaper.

Every character in The Grifters , save for the nurse, is a cheat and a con. Lilly at least gets points for getting care for her son Roy after he is hospitalized.

Give them some redeeming characteristic(s). Highsmith recommended “giving the murderer-hero as many pleasant qualities as possible—generosity, kindness to some people, fondness for painting or music or cooking, for instance. These qualities can also be amusing in contrast to his criminal or homicidal traits.” Let some sane, “good” characters consider the psychopath their friend.

The psychopath knows when they are putting on an act. That raises tension for the reader. Knowing what the character is really like forces the reader to make a moral choice: put the book down in outrage, or keep reading and be a complicit witness.

The psychopath is self-loathing under the bravado. We meet a Humbert who claims he’s matinee-idol material. By the end, he’s calling himself a massive, ape-like “cesspool” and “monster.”

The psychopath feels fear—but only of being caught or punished. Psychopaths have a stunted moral development and childlike determination of right and wrong. Yours should operate in terms of obedience and punishment: pleasant or unpleasant consequences (“If I do something bad, I might get caught”); or in terms of the size or power of those who impose the rules (“The big mean policeman will put me in jail if I do something bad.”).

The horror of the psychopath’s acts come from their matter-of-factness. There is a chilling simplicity in many effective murder scenes, almost like watching TV with the sound turned off. There is no excessive gore or extraneous emotion. The deaths can be nasty, and the killer can react, but the scene should have a certain amount of objective distance. In first-person novels, some psychopaths assume an almost Victorian level of modesty and don’t fully describe what they did. In many cases, there is no buildup to the murder—the psychopath just kills without warning.

Psychopaths kill the ones they love. It takes an extremely sick person to do that. Readers know this.

The psychopath doesn’t live exclusively by cunning. The psychopath lives in the wider world, and not everyone is smart. Coincidences happen, too. Would Ripley have gotten away with Dickie’s and Freddie’s murders if not for the ineptitude and laziness of the Italian police?

Some guidelines for writers

As the creator of a psychopath, you have a wide canvas to paint. Here are some general observations on how to do that well.

Write to portray, not to judge. Highsmith advised “creative people do not pass moral judgments—at least not at once—on what meets their eye. Art essentially has nothing to do with morality, convention, or moralizing.”

Let them tell the story. Show readers your psychopath’s interior life—all their thoughts, doubts, cunning and overreactions. First-person narrators win readers’ trusts easily.

Certainly, psychopaths do not make reliable narrators. They often interrupt their story to swear to the reader they are telling the truth. Oftentimes, this also allows the character to convince himself this is how it happened.

If telling the story in the third person, keep it close on the psychopath. Even the second person point of view has its uses. Thompson used it in a few of his books to notably to portray psychotic breaks.

Stack the deck in your psychopath’s favor. Give your psychopath a socially-acceptable job so they can move in the darkness easily: college professor, doctor. Put your killer in a small town with spotty internet, bumbling police, and where nobody locks their doors. Better yet, have no police presence whatsoever, like Thompson does in The Grifters .

Give the psychopath a doppelganger. The psychopath needs a double (real or imagined) to be the mirror that he or she cannot bear to look into. So—spoiler alert—the psychopath usually ends up killing this person too. When your character breaks that mirror, ironically, clarity or success occurs. After Humbert murders Quilty, he reveals, in harrowing detail, that he knew the whole time that his exploitation of Lolita was destroying her. Roy Dillon’s girlfriend Moira looks a lot like his mom, a fact which Lilly exploits to escape. Dickie is the man Ripley both loves and wants to be.

End the story on a bang, but keep it unresolved. Lolita ends on a long sob of grief and loss whose full impact cannot be felt unless the reader knows enough to return to that seemingly insignificant “biographical note” about Mrs. Richard Schiller. Lilly murders her son, taunts his body one last time, and sashays off with the cash.

Finally, have fun with your psychopath . So says Highsmith: “It is possible to make a hero-psychopath 100% sick and revolting and still make him very fascinating for his very blackness and all-round depravity . . . if the book is entertaining, there is no reason why the reader should have to ‘like’ the hero. If there must be reader-identification, a term I am rather tired of, then provide the reader with a lesser character or two (preferably one who is not murdered by the hero-psychopath) with whom he can identify.” Then again , Highsmith acted as if Ripley was real. She would autograph books as both of them or tell acquaintances that they reminded her of him. Don’t go that far, though, please.

How to Write a Psychopath

American Psycho

Psychopaths are incredibly fun to read in books and watch on the big screen and have been popularised by some very infamous and somewhat controversial films and books, from American Psycho written by Bret Easton Ellis, Hannibal Lecter by Thomas Harris and even James Bond by Ian Fleming.

But why is it that these characters have captured both love and fear in our hearts? What is it about them that makes us want to know more? Is it their propensity to violence? Their ability to be cunning and manipulative without feeling any remorse? Is it their self-confidence and being able to think under pressure? Whatever the reason, our hearts have a soft place in them for psychopaths in literature.

In this blog, I am going to tell you how to create your very own in your fiction, and it will maybe help you spot these same traits in other characters you enjoy.

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Hannibal Lecter

Traits of a psychopath –

Most Psychopaths are male, with them making up approx. 1% of the population, and are estimated to make up 50 – 80% of the prison population. Women that show high traits of Psychopathy are more likely to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, which along with Psychopathy, is a ‘Cluster B’ personality disorder along with Narcissism and Histrionic Personality Disorder as outlined in the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual Version 5 (DSM – 5 for short) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Psychopathy lends itself to having many different traits, all of which are useful in certain situations, and can even benefit those in certain careers (below). Most people can dial these traits down as and when they need them, but a psychopath can’t and would always have these traits on the high setting in their brains.

These are low empathy, impulsivity, calm under pressure, manipulative, charming, ruthlessness and emotionally detached and show a lack of remorse for their actions.

This list can make for some fantastic characters and even make for some fantastic story arcs. Maybe a character is charming and loving, and then later down the line, we see that it was all manipulation to convince someone to give up their life savings, and then abandon them. Tinder Swindler, anyone?

Or maybe we have a character that is a military soldier, a warrior, who is ruthless and can cut through the enemy without a shred of remorse? A police officer who will do anything to crack the case, or a surgeon who has the steadiest hand to make that vital, life-saving cut with everything on the line?

Psychopaths make for excellent characters. They make incredibly fun heroes to write about, and add a lot more depth to the ‘bad guy.’ We can look into their childhood, in that a psychopathic person would have normally come from some kind of abusive childhood, and uses psychopathy as a way to navigate the world based off of that. It gives the character more back story. More depth.

Professor Kevin Dutton

According to psychologist Professor Kevin Dutton, most psychopaths are split into two categories. Those with high traits and a low propensity to commit violence, and those with high psychopathic traits and a higher propensity to violence.

Those that are of lower violent tendencies are more likely to be characterised by high-pressure positions, such as politicians, CEOs, police officers, lawyers and high-end athletes. These could make for some great characters and some side characters, and maybe even a villain or two in there? Maybe the villain is a top businessman of a rival company that is trying to sabotage the hero’s chances at getting their foot on the corporate ladder? Or even a detective that drinks too much and is emotionally vacant when around other people, but is ruthless and driven to catch the bad guy?

Jack Torrance - The Shining

The psychopaths that are high in psychopathic traits with a higher level of predisposition to violence would be our classical villains such as serial killers, a criminal mob boss and even a soldier that has gone rogue.

Psychopaths make for great foreshadowing opportunities too, as they can be very manipulative. In your story, you can have the psychopath dropping hints and leaving clues for the rest of the characters to find, and then when the big reveal comes later in the book, the reader can connect the dots and have the ‘Oh my god!’ moment that we all love to create when they figure it all out.

Lorna - By Jay Darkmoore

In my dark romance ‘Lorna,’ the main character in the story ‘Christian’ is a psychopath, and he will stop at nothing to not only win the heart of Lorna, his new infatuation but also kill and destroy the lives of anyone that dares stand in his way.

Order it here on kindle unlimited today.

Psychopaths are so much fun to write and can offer a lot of depth to your characters and the story. Even just highlighting certain traits outlined above and giving them to your characters can make a lot of difference to your writing.

Have fun with it and thank you for reading.

But what about other writing ideas? What about being able to break through writer’s block?

Click here to read on.

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How to Write a Realistic Psychopath in Your Book

How to write a realistic psychopath character in a book

Zainah Yousef
November 1, 2023

Psychopaths. We often hear the word psychopath get thrown around when referring to evil, awful, or just downright terrible people. The word itself just has a negative connotation to it, and for many reasons. Some of the worst criminals in history have been psychopaths. People with psychopathy quite literally feel no empathy for people. So then, why on Earth would you ever want to write a character like that? Well, let me put it simply: A well-written realistic psychopath can be one of the best, most interesting characters you’ll ever write in any book. Guaranteed.

When I wrote Malware , I knew that if there was one thing that I wanted to do, it was write about a psychopath. I wanted to delve fully into the mind of this character who went against my entire personality because I knew that if he was well-written, he’d be amazing as a character. But I’ll admit, it took A LOT of research to nail it properly. At the end of the day, it was worth it because people who read the book absolutely loved him!

So, if you want to write a realistic psychopath in your book, you’ve come to the right place!

What is a Psychopath?

Let’s start with the most basic thing, which is the question: What is a psychopath? We often hear the word used in reference to people who generally present pretty evil tendencies. However, there is a real clinical definition behind psychopathy.

Psychopathy is part of Antisocial Personality Disorder, which encompasses both psychopathy and sociopathy. Psychopathy, according to Anderson and Kiehl (2014) “is a neuropsychiatric disorder marked by deficient emotional responses, lack of empathy, and poor behavioral controls, commonly resulting in persistent antisocial deviance and criminal behavior.”

This is a very basic overview of what psychopathy is, but for the most part, psychopathy’s biggest marker is the fact that people who exhibit its tendencies have no empathy. This severe lack of empathy is a major reason why psychopathy and criminal behavior often go hand-in-hand.

Psychopaths are born, not made. This is the big contrast between psychopathy and sociopathy. A psychopath tends to be born this way, as there are potential genetic indicators that many researchers have identified. Other research indicates that head trauma may play a role, but for the most part, a psychopath is born a psychopath. It’s why the behaviors are actually identifiable in children.

Not all psychopaths are criminals and not all psychopaths end up being murderers or serial killers. However, it tends to be that people who are criminals exhibit some form of Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Psychopaths vs Sociopaths

Psychopaths and sociopaths both fall under Antisocial Personality Disorder, but they are vastly different in many things. Unfortunately, I’ve seen far too many examples of literature and media portraying a sociopath and then calling that sociopath a psychopath. This is just not accurate, and it really reduces the credibility of your work in my opinion.

A psychopath and a sociopath share characteristics, but the big difference is that sociopaths are made while psychopaths are born. A sociopath was born as a normal person, but experiences shaped the person into becoming a sociopath. People who exhibit traits of sociopathy lack empathy, but are not totally devoid of any and all empathy. Sociopaths are also quick to anger and violence. They do not think things through the way psychopaths do. This is referred to as a lack of calculation.

Sociopaths cannot maintain a normal family and life and they cannot have lasting relationships. This is because they cannot mask the way they feel in the same way that psychopaths can.

If you want more differences, this visual from VeryWellMind is really good!

Psychopaths vs Narcissists

Another thing I see commonly mistaken for psychopathy is narcissism. Narcissistic Personality Disorder and psychopathy are a bit different in that narcissism is made, psychopathy is something a person is born with. Additionally, people with NPD tend to have NPD because of a lack of self-confidence. Meanwhile, psychopaths do not have a lack of self-confidence or self-esteem because they perceive themselves to actually be perfect.

People with NPD also exhibit more impulsive behaviors than psychopaths and individuals with NPD are more likely to exhibit grandiosity and they try to one-up other people constantly. Of course, there’s a lot more to NPD than just these few things, but what you need to know is that psychopaths can exhibit narcissistic tendencies, but they are NOT narcissists by the definition of NPD.

Make sure that you avoid writing a narcissist instead of a psychopath, as this won’t be realistic and it will ruin the immersion in your book.

If you want to read more about NPD, check out this link. I think it has a good summary of what it is.

How to Make Your Psychopath Realistic

When you’re writing about a psychopath, you should keep a few things in mind:

Psychopaths cannot feel empathy
Psychopaths are really good at pretending to feel
Psychopaths can blend in society very easily
Not all psychopaths are serial killers, murderers, or criminals
Psychopaths are masters of manipulation

Blending and Masking

Psychopaths can be anybody, anywhere, at any time. You may have interacted with psychopaths in your life and you may not have known at all because psychopaths do something called masking. They will observe people around them who are “normal” and then mimic those precise behaviors so that they too can appear normal.

For example, psychopaths do not cry due to their absence of empathy. As a result of this, if they are attending a funeral, they may pretend to cry because this is what they perceive to be as social acceptable in those situations. This would be due to observing people around them crying and then mimicking that sort of behavior.

Charisma and Manipulation

Psychopaths are very good at manipulation and can be considered even charismatic because they are actually manipulation experts. They know how to gather information from a person and then use that information against them in a very strategic and tactical way.

Charisma refers to “the ability to attract the attention and admiration of others, and to be seen as a leader.” What this entails for a psychopath is that they know how to speak to people and appeal to their minds. They know how to get people to listen to them and follow their lead.

For example, a character from my series is a psychopath and he is a very manipulative and charismatic man. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it and he will gather information from people to understand their beliefs and POVs. Then, he will speak from that same position in order to get them to follow his lead and command.

Calculation

Psychopaths are very calculating people. They do not undertake major decisions and even many small decisions without first thinking well ahead of the situation. They will try to figure out what the best course of action to take is and how they can get the most benefit out of it.

They are not impulsive, which is what allows for them to get advantages over other people. Unlike sociopaths, psychopaths do not rush into things without prior thinking and planning. By showcasing their calculating process, you will be able to portray a more realistic psychopath character in your book so that your readers genuinely feel that this is a psychopath they are reading about.

Psychopaths can feel Fear

Fear is something that psychopaths can actually feel and they can feel it very strongly. You see, one of the ways you can make your psychopath more realistic is to put them in a situation where their calculation has failed or they did not anticipate something happening. This throws them off and it causes them to feel afraid of losing.

The Core Thing to Remember

Ultimately, a psychopath is a person who is very sure of themself and feels no empathy for those around them. They are not necessarily murderers or serial killers, but most criminals fall under being psychopaths, sociopaths, or narcissists. Psychopaths tend to be “smarter” so-to-speak because of their ability to calculate and plan things and their ways of obtaining information.

Just remember, and this is a core thing to remember, psychopaths cannot change. They cannot be “fixed” or “cured” or anything like that. A psychopath is born and remains a psychopath forever. They will not ever have a true change of heart. They will not do something if it doesn’t benefit them in the long-run. They do not perceive others as mattering to them. These are things that are just given.

Like this quote from Malware:

“Self-confidence was just a way for people to try and cover up their self-love. I didn’t just love myself. I adored myself. That was the truth. And everyone adored me and loved me. So, if Camilla would be just another lover of mine, then waht was the problem? She could claim to emotionally love me all she wanted. In the end, she knew nothing about me. I knew everything about her though.” Malware, Page 105

I hope that gave you a bit more insight into how to make your psychopathic character even better and realistic for your next book! Don’t forget to check out my series, The Fallen Age Saga , before you go.

Also, I’m working on getting a newsletter together. If you’re interested in getting emails from me, just fill out the form below!

Join the Writing Frontier

Sarah Kay Moll

Author of contemporary fiction, how to write a psychopath.

Psychopaths can be tricky to write, because it’s not always easy (I hope!) to get into the head of someone who lacks remorse, empathy, and a sense of morality. Psychopathy is often a misunderstood concept, even among psychologists. So here’s a little guide to help you come up with the perfect psychopath, evil laughter included.

Psychologists once thought that setting fires as a child was an indicator of a psychopath.

Well, it depends on who you ask. Psychopathy is probably one of the most ill-defined and variable terms in psychology. Most often, though, it means someone who is antisocial, who has a reduced capacity for empathy, who feels little or no remorse, and who is less socially inhibited than the average person.

What does this mean for a character? They’ll be someone who is not only destructive, but also has a hard time caring about or relating to other people’s emotions. They might burn down a village, for fun or for profit (or both), and when the villagers are crying outside the charred remains of their homes, a psychopath might not feel a drop of remorse.

Psychopathy checklist

In the 1970’s, Robert D. Hare developed a checklist to measure psychopathy. This checklist is still used today, to assess high risk prisoners, and to attempt to measure how likely criminals are to re-offend.

Although its accuracy is debatable, based on a number of recent studies, it’s still chock-full of great ideas for creating a fictional villain. It’s based on four facets of personality and behavior.

1. Interpersonal

Psychopaths tend to be charming and manipulative, cunning and clever. They might have a grandiose sense of self-worth and be pathological liars. This might explain how a psychopathic character has remained at large for a long time. It can also build sympathy and rapport between the character and the reader if you can make the psychopath genuinely charismatic. If that’s what you’re going for.

2. Affective

Psychopaths tend to have a diverse criminal skillset.

This facet has to do with emotions, or in a psychopath’s case, the lack thereof. A psychopath might be emotionally shallow, lack remorse and empathy, and refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. In a novel, these traits might help explain why a character keeps doing horrible things, and help make that character more plausible.

3. Lifestyle

Many psychopaths are easily bored, and need constant stimulation. They tend to live a parasitic lifestyle and lack realistic, long term goals. They can also be impulsive and irresponsible. Subtly adding some of these behaviors to a character can give the impression of a person with less restraint and control. For example, the psychopath who lives in my head (and only breaks laws on paper) tends to fidget and play with his switchblade when he’s supposed to be sitting still, because he’s impulsive and easily bored.

4. Antisocial

One of the largest indicators of psychopathy is a crime-ridden past. Psychopaths will often have behavioral problems when very young, and begin criminal activity early on. They can also be very versatile criminals, with a number of different illicit skills. This is one of the most useful points I’ve found when creating my own psychopath, because it gives you a sense of what the character’s history should look like.

Psychopaths have always fascinated me, and so I’ve created one of my own. I did a lot of research, but the most important lesson I learned was that it’s not a good idea to use these criteria as a character building checklist, and throw every trait of a psychopath at your character. No single person embodies all of these traits, and neither should a single character. Instead, I used this research to inspire a character that has some of these traits–probably enough of them to warrant a diagnosis–but is still unique.

For example, he’s got a superficial charm and a very inflated sense of self-worth, but he can be much more emotional than the average psychopath, and form deep relationships. He’s a lifelong criminal, stealing and setting fires from the time he was a kid, but he’s very driven by his long-term goals.

More information

If you want to know more about psychopaths, you can check out the Wikipedia article (which links to a few more excellent ones), and Without Conscience , Robert D. Hare’s website about psychopathy. If you really want to get into it, Robert D. Hare wrote an excellent book based on his years of experience researching the topic, including many, many interviews and interactions with psychopaths. I’ve also written a blog post on personality testing that includes some tests to determine degrees of psychopathy.

In the end, writing a psychopath is fun. It’s a chance to move beyond conventional moral boundaries and experiment with a part of the human psyche we usually keep tightly controlled.

If there’s anything you’d like to add about psychopaths or the writing process leave a comment and let me know!

Update (October 2017) I just finished writing an entire book about psychopaths! If you’re interested, you can check out the blurb here , and sign up for my mailing list so you’ll hear when it comes out!