Discussion of “The Antisocial Character”

Dr. Hott's survey of the psychiatric evolution of the concept of the sociopath or psychopath was illuminating and scholarly. I agree wholeheartedly with his findings that most psychopaths have unreasonable idealized standards. Far from being “moral imbeciles,” as early researchers felt, these “clever fools” possess enormously rigid, even fierce moral standards—but only as applied to others. They are veritable wizards at rationalizing, externalizing, and otherwise deflecting such rigorous strictures from themselves. In prisons, which house many psychopaths, the punishment for even minor infractions of the prisoners’ code is swift, sure, and void of judicial appeal. It is widely applied and irrevocable; sudden death.

I would like to add some clinical examples to those described by Dr. Hott.

Case 1. A 26-year-old white man had been holding down a job in a factory for over a year, the longest period of sustained employment in his life. Within a period of three months he met, courted, and married a young woman. He had been interested in country-style music for some time and had become adept enough on the guitar to secure occasional moonlighting jobs with a group of friends at roadhouses. After one such engagement he was driving home in the early morning hours accompanied by his wife. He had imbibed rather immoderately and was speeding along gaily. “I came to a railroad crossing and either didn't see the flashing red light or chose to ignore it. I can't remember which. As luck would have it, a train hit us broadside and drove us 200 feet along the track. The car turned over several times and was completely demolished. But the damnedest thing happened! The window on my side had been half open and my butt was jammed in it right properly. There it was hanging out like a flag in the breeze. All I had suffered otherwise was a wrenched shoulder. I must have cut a ridiculous figure. Finally some men were able to pry the door apart and get me out. It really was funny when I think a