A sociopath or a psychopath?
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Silent_Bob01 — 10 years ago(April 07, 2015 08:53 PM)
Why? Because it was a fascinating movie and Gyllenhaal's performance was brilliant and layered. He used a facade of a dorky, awkward individual to mask the fact that he was a pure psychopath (and yes, a scumbag).
I think that's worth exploring. It's not like this was some mindless action film like The Expendables. Not that I don't enjoy mindless action, but there's nothing to analyze there, UNLIKE with a film like Nightcrawler. -
PorcelainX — 10 years ago(April 22, 2015 04:13 AM)
I would classify him like a movie monster. A caricature analog of human behavior lacking the depth or realism of it's sources of inspiration. Kind of like how The Creature from the Black Lagoon could just be an analog of a lecherous unattractive person, or King Kong could be a combination of archaic racial stereotypes and a violent criminal. The character has no backstory, so has no dots to be connected. What's presented seems to be mixture of Autism, Antisocial and Sociopathic behavior. The problem is these don't typically fit together and and If his character is taken as anything to define reality by, one might look at someone on the autistic spectrum and think they have no empathy, morality or remorse or even be capable of murder, which is not the case. Taking reality into defining the character would mean that his definition defined an aspect of reality, which he probably doesn't. However, taken as a fictional person (which he is) he wouldn't be as compelling if he made sense. He's a high functioning, non empathetic, Autistic Sociopath. A unicorn of dysfunction.
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The_Mob_Has_Spoken — 10 years ago(June 10, 2015 12:32 PM)
OP is saying the same dumb stuff I hear a lot of lay people saying on the internet re: sociopathy versus psychopathology. There is no difference (or the difference is strictly academic), the two terms are essentially interchangeable (and outdated).
"Ass to ass. Ha ha ha ha. ASS TO ASS!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa5z77EI8y0 -
nolanfan — 10 years ago(July 03, 2015 06:06 AM)
A: Axis I OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), Autism spectrum disorder
Axis II Antisocial Personality Disorder
P :- Neuropsych Testing for more conclusive diagnosis in autism spectrum
- Start SSRI depending on family history or personal history. If none, Paxil 20 MG with plan on increasing up to 80 mg depending onside effects
- Continue CBT model therapy
That was two hours, $500 dollars please
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Cydramech — 10 years ago(July 25, 2015 05:09 PM)
How about neither? Just because he didn't sugarcoat his words with a bunch of bulls**t, and knew what he wanted doesn't mean he was a psychopath/sociopath.
Only three things in this or any world that brings about change: money, blood, and guns. -
lancer165 — 10 years ago(July 28, 2015 11:40 AM)
I started watching and saw someone who was almost a constantly smiling simpleton of sorts. Here he was drifting through his pathetic life and then suddenly he possesses the wealth of knowledge of all the self help guru books with an almost photographic memory coupled with some anti social qualities and what would seem like mental faults that would keep any psychotherapist busy. I just did not get this transformation in a non earning [in at least honest work] character to one which was soon able to be entrepreneurial.
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jamasian_man — 10 years ago(August 01, 2015 03:48 AM)
Actually Lou didn't really succeed the right way. He stole the bike in order to get the money to start, and eventually got into a dry spell when his rival started doing multiple news vans instead of just one.
Lou killed him and filmed his accident, and then stole his idea by the film's end. Lou just needed a focus in life, and he really liked how he could do almost anything and then film it and then have it broadcast by Nina.
When his partner slowed him down and tried to get more power, Lou killed him too. Most likely those new employees at the end will suffer the same fate if they ever get too big for their britches. -
Nihilismm — 10 years ago(August 05, 2015 03:29 PM)
I like the second reply. "A human being". As a psychologist, I will argument for him exhibiting psychopatic traits.
BUT, my take on the movie is critical psychological. He is the embodiment of the modern performance culture, where individuals and organizations aim to succeed, maximize wealth and results regardless of the ethical costs.
The modern culture and society very much encourages and rewards people like the main character. Just look on Donald Trump
There are plenty of CEOs, major stockholders and investors who by their actions ecourage behaviour of individuals and organizations, which are shown in this movie. The "human" cost is a number of a budget (perhaps in an HR department) - just like this movie demonstrates. As long as there is return on investment the major corporation does not give a damn about how it is made, as long as it is making a profit. Yea, sure some talk about corporate social responsibility as a (employer and product) branding/marketing ploy, but mostly it is about the yearly report and the bonus for the manager.
As for the ending - well that is reality. There are plenty of success hungry interns who are willing to believe in the "American Dream". Google the story about a kid dying as an intern due to work overload at Bank of America. -
doktorkoch — 10 years ago(December 08, 2015 08:13 PM)
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Moon_Doggie — 10 years ago(August 14, 2015 03:27 AM)
Neither term will be found in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition
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DSM-5A
. But when using the older terminology, the key difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is whether he has a conscience, the little voice inside that lets us know when were doing something wrong.
A psychopath doesn't have a conscience. If he lies to you so he can steal your money, he wont feel any moral qualms, though he may pretend to. He may observe others and then act the way they do so hes not found out.
A sociopath typically has a conscience, but its weak. He may know that taking your money is wrong, and he might feel some guilt or remorse, but that wont stop his behavior.
Both lack empathy, the ability to stand in someone elses shoes and understand how they feel. But a psychopath has less regard for others. Someone with this personality type sees others as objects he can use for his own benefit.
A person's a person, no matter how small.
Dr. Seuss -
HavenStar — 9 years ago(December 11, 2016 01:35 PM)
Jake Gyllenhaal's character is clearly psychopathic. The biggest piece of evidence for this is his totally unemotional sending of his partner (played by Riz Ahmed) to his death at the hands of one of the gunmen they are chasing - a perfect example of a low-functioning psychopath's inability to empathise and ability to manipulate and abuse others without remorse. Those of you who are saying he has Aspergers are simply wrong - people with Aspergers have difficulty with communicating and engaging with others - they don't cold-bloodedly send people to their deaths.