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2 weeks ago
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Spencer Matthews has announced plans to undergo one of TV's most extreme psychological experiments – to find out if he really is a psychopath.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 37, will front a one–off Channel 4 documentary that puts his personality to the ultimate test.
This comes after his friends and family suggested he showed 'psychopathic traits.'
Psychopaths are most famous for their lack of empathy.
However, there are several other problematic traits you need to have to be formally diagnosed, including blunted emotions, and manipulative, callous behaviour.
If this is raising alarm bells for you, help is at hand – as experts at Psychology Today have created a simple three–minute test that reveals your levels of psychopathy.
Thankfully, it's very unlikely that you're a psychopath.
'Experts estimate that only about 1 percent of people could be classified as true psychopaths,' Psychology Today explained.
Experts at Psychology Today have created a simple three–minute test that reveals your levels of psychopathy
Spencer Matthews has announced plans to undergo one of TV's most extreme psychological experiments – to find out if he really is a psychopath
The test is free to take on Psychology Today's website, and includes 20 statements, which you'll be asked if you agree or disagree with.
Statments include 'I've always found it easy to convince people to do favors for me,' 'Other people make so many stupid mistakes compared to me,' and 'In truth, I find most people boring or stupid.'
At the end of the test, you'll be given a score of 0–100, and told what it means.
For comparison, the average score for the test is 54.
If you score between 0 and 19, you have no antisocial tendencies, according to Psychology Today.
'You report almost no signs of psychopathy, suggesting you are highly empathic and care deeply about the feelings of others,' the experts explained.
'You recognize that your needs don't trump other people's, and you usually consider risks and long–term consequences when making decisions.'
A score of 51–74 puts you in the middle, with 'some antisocial tendencies'.
The test is free to take on Psychology Today's website, and includes 20 statements, which you'll be asked if you agree or disagree with
If you score between 87 and 100, you have 'several signs of psychopathy'. Pictured: Christian Bale in American Psycho
'Your score suggests that you may show some minor antisocial tendencies,' Psychology Today explained.
'Psychopathy is a spectrum disorder, and psychologically healthy people can display slight levels of psychopathic traits.'
Meanwhile, if you score between 87 and 100, you have 'several signs of psychopathy'.
'You report consistent challenges with empathy and your responses suggest a willingness to manipulate people or break rules to get your way,' the experts said.
'This doesn't necessarily make you a psychopath, but seeking therapy could help you behave in more prosocial ways.'
If you have scored highly, don't panic.
Psychology Today has also included advice on changes you can make now to minimise your psychopathic tendencies.
Firstly, you might want to consider seeking therapy.
'A mental health professional can assess your level of psychopathy and help you address your most concerning thoughts and behaviors,' the experts said.
Next, make sure you minimise substance abuse.
'Drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs could exacerbate negative behaviors or tendencies you wish to avoid,' the experts added.
Finally, try to engage in prosocial behaviour such as volunteering.
'[This] can help you understand others' perspectives and potentially bolster empathy, even if it doesn't come naturally,' the experts concluded.
WOULD YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT A PSYCHOPATH?
Psychopaths display different traits depending on their disorder.
Common signs include superficial charm, a grandiose notion of self-worth, the need for stimulation and impulsiveness, pathological lying, the ability to manipulate others and a lack of remorse and empathy.
But despite the popular association, not all psychopaths become killers.
Experts claim people usually find psychopaths intriguing, but can't put their finger on why.
This is down to incongruous behaviour because psychopaths tend to do a lot of acting to deceive, or mimic normal reactions, sometimes changing their views and reactions quickly.
For example, Self-professed psychopath Jacob Wells said that upon meeting someone, he tries to become 'the most interesting person they know' and presumably adopts suitable interests and responses to do this.
His response also gives away another common trait - a grandiose notion of self-worth - in that he can be the most interesting person in the room.
Psychopaths occasionally tend to exhibit unconvincing emotional responses, with slip-ups including tone of voice or body language.
This may be because they are unable to understand emotions such as fear and love, but can mimic them.
Psychopaths display different traits depending on their disorder, but common signs include superficial charm and the ability to manipulate others. Despite the popular association, not all psychopaths become killers (stock image)
Generally psychopaths' 'emotions' are shallow and short-lived and there is a manipulative ulterior motive to showing them.
For example, Mr Wells said he offers to do favours and tells false secrets to people to gain their complete trust.
He also displays insincere charm - another trait associated with psychopaths.
He says: 'I keep secrets, and tell them fake secrets to further gain their trust, and once they trust me enough, I ask for favours, reminding them of the favours I did them. I can get literally anything from them, which is incredibly useful.'
Psychopaths typically display an incredible ability to manipulate others and sometimes take pleasure in doing so.
Psychopaths often have an air of superiority about them, perhaps shown by Mr Wells' belief he can spot other psychopaths
Even expert Dr Hare, who came up with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) used as a diagnostic tool to determine where someone lies on the psychopathy spectrum, warns that anyone can be duped during a short interaction with a psychopath.
