Psychopaths are not that smart — perhaps even less intelligent than average.
Psychopaths are less intelligent than average, research finds.
Contrary to the common view of the psychopath as a criminal mastermind, they score below par on intelligence tests.
In general, far from being smart, psychopaths tend to do rather poorly in school — they are more interested in sensation-seeking, such as taking drugs.
Perhaps one of the reasons psychopaths appear smart is their confidence in social situations.
Psychopaths can quickly take charge and they also have a superficial charm.
Both factors can lead us into thinking they are also highly intelligent — but not so, it is probably all bluster.
Not so smart psychopaths
The research pulled together the results of 187 different studies including over 9,000 people whose intelligence and psychopathic tendencies were measured.
The study’s authors explain the results:
“The results of the current meta-analysis produced a small, but significant effect size suggesting that individuals who score higher on measures of psychopathic traits tend to score lower on measures of IQ.”
It included potentially smarter psychopaths with successful careers as well as those in prison.
Psychopaths are more likely to be criminals, but many are not.
Psychopaths are generally dishonest, manipulative and lacking in empathy — and also not that smart.
More on psychopaths
Find out more about psychopaths:
- 14 signs of a psychopath
- How so many high functioning psychopaths slip into positions of power.
- How to spot the two types of psychopath: primary & secondary
The study was published in the journal bioRxiv (de Ribera et al., 2018).
