MI Asst. AG Andrew Shirvell: Psychopath?

After seeing Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell defend his actions on CNN, I was left feeling very uneasy. I tried to figure out what it was about him that was so disquieting. I am not using hyperbole here. Andrew Shirvell came off as a very disturbed individual, if not a psychopath.

DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to know the reasons for Andrew Shirvell's behavior. I am not a medical professional. I cannot and am not making any diagnosis or assessment of any persons' mental or physical health. Reliance on any information provided by Logic Over Politics or other visitors to the site is solely at your own risk. The content is provided on an "as is" basis. Read at your own discretion.

Anderson Cooper Interviews Andrew Shirvell

If you haven't seen it already, watch CNN's Official Interview of Andrew Shirvell.

When I watch the interview, these are some of the things that stand out to me:

• Shirvell's expression never changes. He's never emotive.
• He tells Anderson Cooper "I sense a lot of anger in your voice." It suggests that Shirvell is unable to understand a wide range of emotions or he is actually referencing his own internal anger.
• Shirvell stays in the same position through the interview. He barely moves.
• His eyes look all around. He seems bored, totally unengaged in the conversation. His responses are robotic and repetitive.
• A person must be very passionate or insanely obsessed to take actions like those Shirvell is taking in protesting Chris Armstrong. Shirvell displays no passion in this interview…

The Disturbing Behavior of a Psychopath

Psychopaths

• gain satisfaction through antisocial behavior.
  
  • Antisocial behavior can be generally characterized as an overall lack of adherence to the social mores and standards that allow members of a society to coexist peaceably.
  • People exhibiting antisocial behavior are extremely selfish and self-centered.
• do not feel shame, remorse, or guilt for any harm they may have caused others, instead rationalizing the behavior, blaming someone else, or denying it outright.
  • They appear to lack a conscience.
  • They are completely self-serving.
• display a willingness to say anything without concern for accuracy or truth.
• use charisma, manipulation, intimidation, and violence to control others and to satisfy their own needs.
• have a limited range or depth of feelings ("shallow affect").
  
  • Genuine emotion has a tendency to be short lived.
  • Emotional displays are egocentric with an overall cold demeanor.
• have a markedly distorted sense of the potential consequences of their actions, not only for others, but also for themselves.
  
  • They routinely disregard rules, social mores and laws, unmindful of putting themselves or others at risk.
  • They do not deeply recognize the risk of being caught, disbelieved, or injured as a result of their behavior.
• lack empathy towards others in general, resulting in tactlessness, insensitivity, and contemptuousness.
• have a complete disregard for the feelings and rights of others.*

What Is Antisocial Behavior?

The term "antisocial behavior" is often used incorrectly.

Antisocial behavior may include

• persistent lying or stealing.
• apparent lack of remorse or empathy for others.
• a tendency to violate the boundaries and rights of others.
• disregard for right and wrong.
• irresponsible work behavior.
• disregard for safety.*

* In these lists, I have left out any references to cruelty to animals, relationships, and promiscuity because I have no information about the details of Andrew Shirvell's private life. Unlike him, I have boundaries.

Tomorrow I will address Andrew Shirvell's behavior.

More Information:

• CNN's Official Interview of Andrew Shirvell
• What is Antisocial Behavior?, wiseGEEK
• Test for Psychopathy

The image used in this post was originally found at Switched.com.