"Psychopaths", And "Serial Killers" In Particular

One of the "shocking" traits of so-called "psychopaths", and "serial killers" in particular, is the "casual" nature in which they commonly discuss their crimes. But, what about the casual and frequently even sarcastic nature that forensic psychologists, police, and other "criminal justice" workers use to discuss the lurid details of their jobs (but only when in the presence of other so-called "professionals" of course).

If they persistently only expressed their experience in the morose tones that they reserve for public displays then their entire existence would be morose and they'd soon become so depressed that they wouldn't want to live, much less do their job.

So, why should "psychopaths" and "serial killers" in particular, be any less adaptive to the reality of their circumstances? Yes, we killed, tortured, and even mutilated the bodies of other human beings. But, if we steeped ourselves in this morbid reality by constantly expressing the memories of events, as we are so often required to do by those who insist on hearing it all over and over in order to better judge (though never dare "understand" or "comprehend") what we have done, then we too would become so morose that we would scarcely want to live.

Of course, there are those who do adopt this contrite and unadaptive response, and we well know where they end up (hint: morgues and psych wards). But those of us who wish to survive, with our sanity that is, must adapt, just as anyone else would, not just we so-called "psychopaths" and "serial killers" in particular.

(J.D. 5-17-2014)

P.S. I should observe that perhaps this "adaptive" response to morbid realities is in fact psychotic. But, whatever it is, it is practiced in various ways by all humans, not just "psychopaths" (oh, and "serial killers" in particular); and that's my only point.