Psyco Snape (was Re: Where was Snape

[abigail_draconi]

No: HPFGUIDX 36564

Finwitch had mentioned that she thought that Snape was a psycho path. 
I happen to disagree with her assesment of Snape's mental health. 
>From what I have seen of Snape, he does not fit the criteria for 
psychopathy, which according to the DSM-IV is officially called 
Antisocial Personality Disorder. 

I decided to drag out my Abnormal Psychology textbook and check 
Snape's behavior against what it says. 
        To apply the ASP diagnosis, the DSM-IV requires that 
        the individual be 18 years old, there is evidence that
        warreants an earlier diagnosis of Conduct Disoder, onset 
        before the age of 15, and a pervasive pattern of disregard 
        or violation of others as evidenced by at least three
        of the following: (1) failure to conform to socis-legal
        norms as denoted by repeated acts that are grounds for
        arrest; (2) irritability and aggressiveness, as seen 
        in repeated fights or assaults; (3) consistent 
        irresponsibility in work or financial obligations; 
        (4) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead; (5) deceitfulness, 
        as indicated in lying or conning; (6) reckless disregard 
        for one's own or other's safety; or (7) lack of remorse.
[Case Studies in Abnormal Behavior Fifth Edition; Robert Myers p195-
196]
Currently, there is little evidence about Snape being a kid, let 
alone what he was like. And what little there is, shows Snape as 
mentally normal. 
(1) failure to conform to socis-legal norms as denoted by repeated 
acts that are grounds for arrest: Okay, so he joined a gang of Really 
Mean People for a while. But that, and following Remus that one time, 
are the only indications that Snape has ever broken the rules.
(2)irritability and aggressiveness, as seen in repeated fights or 
assaults: Okay, he does act a bit irritable and has a habbit of 
verbably assaulting various students. But give me eveidence it *ever* 
got physical.
(3) consistent irresponsibility in work or financial obligations: 
Snape, is the wizarding equivolent of a chemistry teacher. And he has 
been one for *years*. I don't think Dubmledor would allow him to 
contiue teaching if he was irresponsible. I don't think he'd be 
*alive* if he was irresponsible. When your working with things that 
may just possibly blow up in your face literally.
(4) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead: Again, look at his job. He 
couldn't be as good a potions professor if he were impulsive or 
failed to plan ahead. Hades, you couldn't be a *teacher* if you 
continually failed to plan ahead. I mean, think of all those lesson 
plans he has to make up...
(5)deceitfulness, as indicated in lying or conning: I personally 
don't remember any time when he outright lied or tried to con some 
one.
(6)reckless disregard for one's own or other's safety: Snape 
certainly is concerned with his own safety, and he has insured the 
safety of others on numorous occations. In fact I personally think 
that his main problem with Nevile is the issue of safety.
(7)lack of remorse: Ah yes. The lack of remorse. Personally, I fell 
that if he showed no remorse, he never would have turned Dumbledor's 
spy *and* he would have let the life debt drop at the time of James' 
death (at least that's IMHO).

Of course, I welcome anyone who wants to dispute what I have said. I 
admit to the fact that I kind of like Snape. I may even <gasp> 
understand him.
@---<-- Chyna Rose