When it comes to psychopaths, we tend to focus our attention on men. I mean, off the top of my head I can think of many male psychopaths. For example, there is Ted Bundy, BTK, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Dennis Nielsen, and Richard Ramirez to name a few. But what about female psychopaths? Is there such a thing? If there are, how are they different from their male counterparts?

Psychopath and female

Psychopaths represent about 1% of the population. However, statistics show that prison population numbers are much higher. In fact, about 20-25% qualify for a diagnosis of psychopathy.

Although the majority are male, female psychopaths do exist. However, contrary to popular belief, not all psychopaths commit murder. In fact, the typical signs of psychopathy are thrill-seeking behavior, little empathy, and impulsiveness.

The usual method for diagnosing psychopathy is the Hare’s Checklist. This consists of 20 items including guiltlessness, grandiosity, a parasitic lifestyle, and no regrets. These items are scored between 0-2 depending on how well the person fits the criteria. The maximum score is 40, however, anyone with a score over 30 is considered a psychopath.

Now, the interesting thing is that women don’t tend to go over the 30-point threshold for psychopathy. But men often do. Likewise, there are other differences. One study examined these differences between male and female psychopaths. Although common traits have been found between the sexes, there are significant differences.

Therefore, studies show that psychopaths do exist among men and women, but they show very different characteristics.

The main differences between male and female psychopaths

Male psychopaths:

Use manipulation to gain power
Criminal behavior often includes violence
Use physical aggression as a rule
Very smart and charming
mentally ill female:
Flirt to manipulate their victims
You have a tendency to run away if challenged
He will hurt himself as a form of manipulation
Social exclusion is used as punishment
4 ways psychopathic women differ
One study suggested four main areas in which these differences emerged:

behavior
relationship characteristics
Underlying psychological causes
Different social norms for men and women

behavior
Therefore, a female psychopath will use different types of behavior in order to get what she wants. Women are rarely aggressive. Both male and female psychopaths manipulate their victims.

However, women will flirt and use their feminine wiles to get what they want. On the other hand, men are more likely to use superficial charm when manipulating.

Psychopathic women tend to run away when caught or exposed. They will also self-harm as a way of being manipulated. The woman will become verbally aggressive. They will use their relationship as a weapon against their victim.

For example, psychopathic women will use their relationships on social media to exclude their victim. On the other hand, men will use physical aggression and violence to escape getting caught.

relationship characteristics
Male psychopaths use superficial charm in their relationships to get their way. However, females go a different way. Psychopathic women do not have the same high sense of self as men.

As a result, their ego and self-image are not the main cause of their psychological behavior. They do not seek power in their relationships over their victims. Therefore, females tend to use promiscuity and sex rather than physical force.

Therefore, studies show that psychopathic women use different techniques and skills. In addition, they also use it for various motives. Females want some kind of social benefits or financial gain. While men are more likely to commit violent acts.

Underlying psychological causes

It is clear that men are more physically aggressive than women. So, when you look at the men and women in prison, the convictions reflect this. The men are convicted of violent crimes. While women are in prison for drugs and prostitution.

There is a similar relationship between female psychopaths and the type of crimes they commit. For example, women are not inclined to rape or kill.

“When it comes to the differences between the sexes, it’s really big — nine males for every female killer. So I think you’ll understand that with male and female psychopaths as well.” Adrian Raine, Professor of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania

However, some women do kill. Moreover, there are similarities between those that do. One study found that the majority of serial killers were middle to upper class, white and highly educated.

In addition, there is another interesting difference between psychopathic men and women. Males tend to kill strangers, while females know their victims. Two-thirds of them were related, with a third killing their partner and just under half killing their children.

However, the reasons are very different. Where men kill for sex or anger, women kill for money.