The 9 subtypes of Psychopathy according to Theodore Millon

Theodore Millon, a prestigious Florida school psychologist who did research on the human personality. Among the many contributions of Millon, today we will focus on his study of the psychopathy.

The 9 subtypes of psychopath

Millon published in 1998 a specific chapter in which described the subtypes of psychopathy ("Subtypes of psychopathy", in "Psychopathy", edited by Millon, Th. Et al., Guilford Press) composed of 9 subtypes: the unprincipled, the unprincipled overlapping, the risk taker, the greedy, the weak, the explosive, the rough, the malicious and the tyrannical. Millon emphasizes that none of these categories is mutually exclusive, since it is possible to have a profile composed of several subtypes.

Below we will describe in detail the different subtypes, as well as the most important features that allow them to be distinguished.

1. Unprincipled psychopath

It is usually associated with subjects with narcissistic core personality traits. They tend to successfully stay outside the limits of what is legal by showing egomaniacal and disloyal feelings, indifferent towards the welfare of others and with fraudulent social styles, accustomed to exploiting the rest.

They are usually not able to link to a treatment and they are very good at creating fanciful and expansive lies to achieve their goals. They totally lack feelings of guilt and social conscience, they feel superior to the rest and also enjoy the process of deceiving others. The relationship with this type of psychopath will last as long as he considers that he has something to obtain from the person, after that period he will simply end it. They tend to show a cold image, with reckless, vindictive and cruel attitudes.

2. Undercover psycho

It would be characterized mainly by falsehood. His demeanor is apparently friendly and sociable, but inside hides a great impulsiveness, resentment and lack of confidence to the rest. He may have a broad social life, where he presents an abnormally persistent search for attention through seduction, but his relationships are mostly superficial and fluctuating.

They will usually exhibit short-lived enthusiasm, so they will be irresponsible and impulsive, constantly looking for new sensations. They tend to be insincere and calculating, they will not admit weaknesses to others, they will always exhibit a facet of false success; It always seems that everything is going well for them, they show themselves as successful. Despite the fact that this subtype of psychopaths sometimes tries to convince themselves that their intentions are good, he only tries to obtain from others what is convenient for him through manipulations, he does not seek the good alien.

3. Malevolent Psycho

Most serial killers and / or common killers fit this profile. They are very hostile and vindictive and their impulses are discharged with evil and destructive ends. They enjoy a cold cruelty and constant desire for revenge for betrayals and punishments supposedly suffered or for suffering.

The psychopathic characteristics are very similar to those of sadistic as they reflect a deep depravity, desire for compensatory retribution and hostility, as already commented in the article on the "Sadistic serial killers". They could be described as spiteful, vicious, evil, and scathing. Judicial sanctions would further increase their desire for retribution and revenge. Although they rationally understand what guilt, remorse, ethical concepts, morality are... they do not experience it inside. He does not lose self-awareness of his actions and does not end until his goals of destructiveness and retribution have been completed.

4. Tyrannical psychopath

Together with the Malevolent, this subtype is one of the most cruel and dangerous. Both are intimidating, overwhelming, and destructive. Unlike the previous one, this one seems to be stimulated by resistance or weakness, both of which increase the attack instead of softening or stopping it. He takes special pleasure in forcing the victim to cower.

5. Risk taker

He gets involved in risky situations to feel alive, they are impulsive and thoughtless people. They are individuals who are reckless and insensitive in situations that any normal person would fear. They are capable of imposing self-discipline and routine life habits, they will always want changes. This subtype would be a mixture of basic personality type antisocial and histrionic. They are not concerned with the consequences of their actions on third parties, only their need for stimulation prevails.

6. Greedy

His great motivation in life is to grow up, to have rewards. They feel that "life has not given them what they deserve", so Through criminal acts, they would compensate for the emptiness in their lives and would compensate for the “injustice” that they have experienced.. They rationalize their actions through the idea that they restore an upset balance. They are satisfied to be above others and to harm them in life (in whatever field), feeling that they are their pawns.

They also have few or no feelings of guilt for what they do to others, they never consider it enough. In addition, they are tremendously envious, greedy, aggressive, jealous... they feel good about the pain of others and they are enraged by the successes of others. Successful entrepreneurs could fit this profile, considering objects to others to satisfy their desires. The worst thing is that they never achieve a state of complete satisfaction, they always crave more.

7. Weak psycho

This subtype would have an avoidant and dependent behavior base. It shows others an image of false security and self-confidence that actually hides the opposite. Their attacks are usually to demonstrate their lack of fear and adopt the role of aggressor and never victim. They tend to be cartoons of little tyrants, they maintain an intimidating attitude, showing the world that "it is dangerous to mess with them."

8. Explosive psycho

In this case there would be many components of intermittent explosive disorder (t. pulse control, code F63.8 according to DSM-IV-TR). Its main characteristic is the sudden outbreak of extreme hostility. Their behavior "explodes" so that there is no time for contention. These fits of rage are characterized by uncontrollable anger towards others, which usually causes submission and passivity in the victim.

9. Rough psycho

This subtype shows their rejection of others passively and indirectly. They tend to have incessant discords with others, magnifying even the smallest action to be entangled in bitter and constant disputes with the people around them.

They have few regrets or feelings of guilt about the inconvenience they cause to others. They are often bitter and ironic, sharing personality traits with negativistic and paranoid personality disorders. They always believe they are right in everything and others are always wrong and it is especially pleasant for them to contradict others. They are less satisfied with the logic and legitimacy of their arguments than their use of it to frustrate and humiliate the other person.

By way of closing ...

Theodore Millon found various subtypes of psychopathy, which we can find in different scenarios: murders, large companies, robberies, politics... or even in more everyday situations of the lifetime.

In the study he conducted, he found that the most common profiles are the "unprincipled psychopath," the " risks ”and the“ malevolent psychopath ”, although they are not exclusive of the others, you can have a profile characterized with different subtypes. He also found that there is a comorbidity with sexual orientation disorders (paraphilias) and impulse control disorders.