Sociopathic TMR (and Paranoid Snape?)

[Audra1976 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 47065

Judy Serenity wrote:
<< Snape lacks the qualities of a sociopath -- an ability to charm 
others, a lack of introspection, a desire for action, a lack of 
remorse for hurting others, poor impulse control, an inability to 
learn from one's mistakes. Now, Sirius on the other hand...." >>

Catlady wrote:
> I need you smart people to educate me about sociopaths and 
> psychopaths. Same thing? What Judy listed of the qualities of a 
> sociopath sound to me like Tom Marvolo Riddle, such as "an ability 
> to charm others" and "a lack of remorse for hurting others". I don't 
> know whether the sudden change of goal shown in CoS (from cleansing 
> Hogwarts of Mudbloods to catching Harry Potter) fits the sociopath 
> list.

Me:

I'm a psychologist, so I can give you all some information about it.  The 
terms "psychopath" and "sociopath" are virtually interchangable, but we don't 
like to use them anymore because of the negative connotation. The diagnosis 
that is given now is called "Antisocial Personality Disorder."  

Studies show that APD is to some degree genetic, but enviroment plays a large 
part in its development.  Absent parents, particularly absent fathers have a 
correlation with APD cases (this definitely describes Tom's situation).  In 
early development, there is a specific period where a baby needs to develop a 
bond with their caregiver, and if that bond is not made it has a profound 
impact on that person's social development for the rest of his life.  Boys 
have been shown to be even more sensitive in this area than girls, and it is 
no surprise that males far outnumber females with APD.   

The symptoms are:
- repeated criminal activity 
- repeated use of deceitfulness for personal profit or pleasure 
- impulsivity or failure to plan ahead 
- irritability and aggressiveness
- consistent attitude of irresponsibility
- pervasive lack of remorse, as indifference to or rationalization of 
mistreating others

There needs to be evidence that the person had conduct problems before the 
age of 15, or else it is considered Adult Antisocial Behavior, not APD.  We 
definitely know Tom was exhibiting these behaviors at age 16, so I'm going to 
assume he was showing them before 15 as well.  And it's alright if Tom 
doesn't always show failure to plan ahead. Not everyone who has APD conforms 
to all of these criteria, but always three or more of them.  I would say Tom 
conforms to at least 5 of them, maybe all 6.  Tom has shown some impulsivity, 
as in casting AK on Harry--he didn't stop to think about the consequences of 
Lily sacrificing herself.  
    
One could really get off on a tangent of all the psychological problems of 
the HP characters--Lucius Malfoy, the classic Narcissist; Neville's Avoidant 
Personality; Hermione's OCD; and let's not forget Myrtle: total Borderline 
Personality Disorder, even in death.  If Snape has a personality disorder, 
it's not APD, it's PPD (Paranoid Personality Disorder). Paranoid 
Personalities exhibit 4 or more of the following 6 symptoms:
** pervasive suspicion, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, 
harming, or deceiving him
** preoccupation with unwarranted doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness 
of friends or associates 
** reluctance to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the 
information will be used maliciously against him
** reading hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or 
events 
** persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or 
slights 
perceives attacks on his character or reputation that are not apparent to 
others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack 
** recurrent suspiciousness, without justification, regarding fidelity of 
spouse or sexual partner    
    
Well Snape is single, so that last one is not applicable, but Snape is 
suspicious, he doubts the trustworthiness of associates, he doesn't really 
confide in others, he sometimes reads into benign actions and views them as 
demeaning to him, and he *definitely* can bear a grudge and is quick to react 
angrily.  Sounds like we have a diagnosis, but the key word in all those 
symptoms is *unwarranted*.  I think it's up for debate whether Snape's 
paranoid behavior is warranted or not given his situation.  As the bumper 
sticker says, "You're not 'paranoid' if they really ARE out to get you."

Audra


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