Cleckley Criteria

The Cleckley Criteria, developed by psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley, outline characteristics typical of psychopathy. These include superficial charm, a lack of empathy or guilt, manipulative behavior, and a tendency toward deceit. Individuals meeting these criteria may appear normal and engaging but often have a profound emotional deficit. They may also exhibit irresponsible behavior and fail to learn from their mistakes. Cleckley’s work laid the groundwork for understanding psychopaths in clinical settings and has influenced both psychology and criminology in identifying and managing individuals with these traits.