Why are women attracted to sociopaths?

Oh! OK, I am confused how does Dexter differ from a psychopath?

OK, if Dexter doesn't count than what about Hannibel Lechter from silence of the lambs as well as the books more devoted to just him?
I wanted to do a paper on the theological imact of Lechter as a god image in Seminary... Got trown out not too long after.

Where do I start? ...

The thing that bothers me most about Dexter is that he follows rules very strictly. Given, I have my own rules that I do follow. But to meet an end, I'll break any rule, even my own. Dexter also doesn't have the obsessive drive to attain a goal that all psychopaths portray. Michael C. Hall tries to show it in some episodes, but I don't really see it. And, as much as he'll try to deny it, Dexter does feel guilt, as seen when he mistakenly kills an innocent man. A real psychopath wouldn't give a rat's arse, as long as he didn't get caught. Some of his social interactions were painful to even watch... Not exactly the smooth talker found in the vast majority of psychopaths.

Also... He's much too melancholy, especially when he describes his "Dark Passenger". He's melodramatic and "whiney" in some parts. He also names his predatory nature the "Dark Passenger", which is downright peculiar. He doesn't like sex (at least in the first season)... Furthermore, he doesn't like sex because he's afraid his partner is going to see his lack of emotion during sex. I don't know why he can't fake emotion during intercourse in the first place. I also can't understand why he'd care. He claims not to understand flirting. He seemed very conscientious as a child and even a teenager. His sense of humor is... well... sad...

Those are but a few complaints...

Lecter is Hollywood's dramatized version of a psychopath. I actually liked Lecter, though.

lol, Lector too, displayed an odd moral sense, and genuine affection for agent Lamb,,

Thaks Gus, I was always intrigued by Lector morality. Most though I was just nuts for believing he had one.

Dexter isn't a psychopath?????????

Well...lets see. He has a need to hunt down people and cut them into pieces so I'm thinking he is probably more than OCDish.

Fail. Like many serial killers, Dexter shows obsessive qualities but does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of OCD. If Dexter matched any disorder, I'd say the best fit is Schizoid Personality Disorder with a touch of sadism and a dash of obsessive qualities.

Actually, Myers that was a joke. However I think the game called let's diagnosis Dexter sounds fun. Your diagnosis isn't that accurate. Here is why.
http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Sc...-disorder.html
DSM-IV-TR specifies seven diagnostic criteria for schizoid personality disorder:

• Avoids close relationships: People with this disorder show no interest or enjoyment in developing interpersonal relationships; this may also include family members. They perceive themselves as social misfits and believe they can function best when not dependent on anyone except themselves. They rarely date, often do not marry, and have few, if any, friends.

Dexter is very dependent upon his relationship with his sister, speaks to his dead dad and was in love with Rita. He was a pretty good husband (you know...except for the all murder stuff.)

• Prefers solitude: They prefer and choose activities that they can do by themselves without dependence upon or involvement by others. Examples of activities they might choose include mechanical or abstract tasks such as computer or mathematical games.

Nah..he always seemed to be hanging out with someone.

• Avoids sex: There is typically little or no interest in having a sexual experience with another person. This would include a spouse if the affected person is married.

At first he didn't like sex...then decided he did.

• Lacks pleasure: There is an absence of pleasure in most activities. A person with schizoid personality disorder seems unable to experience the full range of emotion accessible to most people.

He seemed pretty into the sex.

• Lacks close friends: People affected with this disorder typically do not have the social skills necessary to develop meaningful interpersonal relationships. This results in few ongoing social relationships outside of immediate family members.

OMG Dexter has a million friends.

• Indifferent to praise or criticism: Neither positive nor negative comments made by others elicit an emotionally expressive reaction. They don't appear concerned about what others might think of them. Despite their tendency to turn inward to escape social contact, they practice little introspection.

Not really.

• Emotional detachment: Their emotional style is aloof and perceived by others as distant or "cold." They seem unable or uninterested in expressing empathy and concern for others. Emotions are significantly restricted and most social contacts would describe their personality as very bland, dull or humorless. The person with schizoid personality disorder rarely picks up on or reciprocates normal communicational cues such as facial expressions, head nods, or smiles.

Dexter is so empathic he could be a therapist...if he decided to give up his serial killing hobby that is.

... Until you give key examples of these allegations, I can't properly address them. "Not really" and "Dexter has a million friends" are not arguments founded on evidence.

If you watch the show you'll notice that Dexter has a very active social life and is well liked at work. His colleges feel very connected to him...etc.

Anyway, he is a fictional character.

IMO there really isn't any such thing as a nice serial killer. It's an unusual and funny show. Nothing more.

I was also thinking about women who get into relationships that are abusive...

I donno, I'm always thinking something is being recreated there...a conflict they had as a kid-plus, if that's all you know, what's more to expect really?

It could even be as out there as a father promises not to come home drunk and hit her, and they talk it all out, she forgives him, all is restored...then he does it again and the pattern repeats it's self. If you grew up like that, your tolerance to it would be high, and it it could be difficult for that kid (now grown) to feel that she doesn't deserve that and demand better.
Maybe an ever hopeful wish that the parent (now boyfrind/spouse/ other realtionships) had taken care of them, because that hope must have been there as a kid.

Yes, yes... But this isn't the place to be discussing that...

sorry lol, I did not see that there were already so many pages to this thread, only caught the first page. I guess what I posted was more the longterm stuff too.

VERY INSIGHTFUL

I don't remember adding that rule to the "Why are women attracted to sociopaths" thread book.

What page is that on?

ObJtRbIt I whole heartedly agree...."recreation".....

Well, this isn't the appropriate forum for this thread at all. The ASPD forum should be for those who have ASPD to discuss their issues, not for everyone else to discuss people with ASPD... whether it be how disgustingly horrible people with ASPD are or questioning why so many people fancy them.

I dunno who caused you to feel this way...I hope u keep posting.....I personally would feel something missing if you refrain.Also I agree...The entire thing...from where it began had gone awry from its intended aim.(((((Myers))))))

We decided it was time to close this thread. It no longer seems to have much to do with its original topic.