Is Gavin a psychopath?
The Hare Psychopathy Checklist, is a tool used by psychologists to see if someone is a psychopath or not.
It has 20 traits, each scored 0 (not present), 1 (partial), or 2 (clearly present), for a total score out of 40. If you get a score of 30 or above, you are a psychopath.
Below you can see my own personal results for the test and some of my thoughts. Luckily for you guys, I only scored 5/40, meaning that your English teacher isn’t a psychopath.
In the lesson, I would like to discuss your results and thoughts about the checklist. Some of the items are a bit personal and not appropriate for discussion in an English lesson – we will avoid discussion of those topics.
1. Glibness / superficial charm
Someone who comes across as smooth, engaging, or charismatic—but in a shallow or insincere way.
Gavin’s score: 0
I think I am the exact opposite. When I meet people for the first time, I come across as nervous and boring. However, after I get to know someone a bit better, I am sure I can provide enjoyable and insightful conversation!
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth
An inflated belief that they are superior, special, or more important than others.
Gavin’s score: 0
I don’t like blowing my own trumpet, and being praised in front of other people makes me feel awkward.
3. Need for stimulation / proneness to boredom
Easily bored and constantly seeking excitement or stimulation, often taking risks.
Gavin’s score: 0
I always strive to avoid all forms of risk and adrenaline. At home reading a book all day I’m as happy as Larry.
4. Pathological lying
Frequent lying that can be elaborate, convincing, and often unnecessary.
Gavin’s score: 0
I lie and bend the truth from time to time, but generally speaking, I think I take after my mother, who is a very honest woman. She always taught me ‘honesty is the best policy’.
5. Conning / manipulative
Uses deceit or manipulation to exploit others for personal gain.
Gavin’s score: 1
I must confess that sometimes I try to manipulate my wife or friends into going along with my plan. My wife has cottoned on to this and that’s why she occasionally gives me the nickname ‘mani’ (short for ‘manipulator’).
6. Lack of remorse or guilt
Does not feel bad after harming or exploiting others.
Gavin’s score: 0
I would feel terrible if I felt like I had harmed or exploited someone. However, I must confess, I’m not sure if this feeling would stem from genuine concern for the person’s wellbeing or from the fear of being hated.
7. Shallow affect
Emotions seem limited, shallow, or short-lived rather than deep or genuine.
Gavin’s score: 1
I do experience genuine deep emotions, but from the outside I often appear emotionless. When I receive Christmas presents and tell my family how happy I am, they often tell me to tell my face.
8. Callous / lack of empathy
Difficulty understanding or caring about how others feel.
Gavin’s score: 1
When someone is suffering in a situation that I can relate to, for example, having their heartbroken by a partner, I feel huge amounts of empathy. However, when someone suffers in a situation that I can’t relate to, for example, losing at a computer game, I sometimes feel less empathy than a cold-blooded serial killer.
9. Parasitic lifestyle
Relies on others financially or socially without responsibility or contribution.
Gavin’s score: 1
I don’t think I’m a parasite, although I only moved out of my family home when I was 33, so I’m not sure if my dad would agree.
10. Poor behavioural controls
Prone to anger, aggression, or difficulty controlling impulses.
Gavin’s score: 0
I’m more peaceful than a Buddhist monk.
11. Promiscuous sexual behaviour
Casual, impersonal, or unstable sexual relationships (context-dependent and not judged morally, but pattern-based).
Gavin’s score: 0
12. Early behavioural problems
History of behavioural issues in childhood or adolescence (e.g., aggression, rule-breaking).
Gavin’s score: 0
I was as good as gold when I was a kid.
13. Lack of realistic long-term goals
Unable or unwilling to maintain stable long-term plans or direction.
Gavin’s score: 0
I detest the idea of starting plans and not seeing them through. I never start a book without finishing it, no matter how boring or long it is.
14. Impulsivity
Acts without thinking about consequences.
Gavin’s score: 0
I don’t often make rash spur-of-the-moment decisions and I’m relatively resistant to peer pressure.
15. Irresponsibility
Unreliable in work, finances, or obligations; fails to follow through.
Gavin’s score: 0
I’m incredibly reliable. The thought of even being 1 minute late to a lesson horrifies me.
16. Failure to accept responsibility
Blames others or external factors instead of acknowledging their own role.
Gavin’s score: 1
Sometimes I blame my wife for things that are my fault. For example, if I try and take a cup out of the cupboard, and accidentally drop and smash it, my first thought is ‘why did she buy so many bloody cups?!’. Instead, I should just try and be less clumsy!
17. Many short-term marital relationships
Pattern of unstable, short-lived romantic relationships or marriages.
Gavin’s score: 0
I’ve had 3 girlfriends and 1 wife, and I don’t envisage those numbers changing.
18. Juvenile delinquency
History of legal or rule-breaking behaviour in youth.
Gavin’s score: 0
Once I stole a sweet when I was a kid and was crippled with remorse after.
19. Revocation of conditional release
Breaking rules while on probation, parole, or similar supervision.
Gavin’s score: 0
20. Criminal versatility
Engaging in a wide variety of different types of offences rather than one consistent pattern.
Gavin’s score: 0
I’m too scared of getting caught.
This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.
No matter what, when, why, etc.
To praise (someone/ something)
(GRAMMAR) I would feel terrible if I felt like…
(GRAMMAR) I do experience
To strive (to do something/ for something)