A sociopath or a psychopath?
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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
:
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.