Ep 07: Personalities That Kill

Ep 07: Personalities That Kill

Author: Dr. Rebecca Houvener, Psy.D. LCP July 30, 2024 Duration: 58:37
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss personality darkness and specifically focus on personalities that are prone to violence and extreme behavior. We also discuss two important research studies, the Milgram study and the Stanford prison experiment, that shed light on the capacity for humans to engage in harmful acts. We then delve into the different personality types within Cluster A (schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid); Cluster B (borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic); and Cluster C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) and discuss their risk levels for violence and murder. In this conversation, we also explore sadistic personalities, a category not included in the DSM, but included in multiple other personality theories. We highlight the characteristics and behaviors associated with each type and discuss the potential for violence and destructive behavior. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these personalities and their potential risks in order to promote awareness and better understanding of human behavior. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Personality Darkness and Violence02:43 The Influence of Authority: Milgram’s Study05:03 The Influence of Situational Factors: Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment Cluster A:08:01 Schizoid10:18 Schizotypal12:27 Paranoid - 18:45 Paranoid Subtypes: Querulously, Insular, Malignant Cluster B:23:01 Borderline27:05 Histrionic28:58 Narcissistic - 31:26 Narcissistic Subtypes: Elitist, Exploitative, Unprincipled 35:00 Antisocial - 37:17 Antisocial Subtypes: Reputation-Defending and Malevolent 41:44 Sadistic Personalities Cluster C:46:22 Avoidant47:43 Dependent50:32 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality 55:54 Summary and Closing

On the Personality Couch podcast, the subtle and often confusing tensions that shape our daily lives are brought into focus. Hosted by clinical psychologists Dr. Rebecca Houvener (“Doc Bok”) and Dr. Cheyenne Fisher (“Doc Fish”), this conversation moves beyond abstract theory to examine the real-world friction we navigate. Every other week, they take apart those puzzling interactions-the off-kilter feeling with a relative, the unexpected clash with a colleague-and trace them back to their roots in personality structure. Their dialogue is a practical exploration, offering listeners a framework to understand not just others, but their own reactions and patterns. You’ll hear detailed breakdowns of complex relational dynamics, all discussed with the clarity and nuance that comes from clinical expertise. The aim is to provide actionable insight, transforming confusion into comprehension. This isn’t about labeling people; it’s about deciphering the hidden language of human behavior that operates in our friendships, families, workplaces, and broader culture. By tuning in, you gain a shared vocabulary for the unspoken, making sense of the conflicts we all face but don’t always know how to address. The podcast serves as a guide for anyone looking to improve their connections and their own self-awareness, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 56

Personality Couch
Podcast Episodes
Ep 25: The Malignant Narcissist's Mind | Stairway to Evil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complex and dark characteristics of malignant narcissism, exploring its origins, characteristics,…
Ep 24: The Communal Narcissist's Altruistic Illusion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:11
In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the tricky topic of communal narcissism, exploring its characteristics, behaviors, and the environments i…
Ep 23: The 4 Narcissistic Subtypes You Need to Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:31
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex world of narcissism, focusing on its various subtypes. We unpack grandiose narcissism, its c…
Ep 22: Vulnerable and Grandiose Narcissism | The Mirror Has Two Faces [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:25
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of pathological narcissism, exploring its various expressions, including covert, ove…
Ep 21:  Narcissistic Personality Disorder | The 9 Symptoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:35
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). We explore the historical…
Ep 20: Narcissism Gone Bad | 5 Signs Its Pathological [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:33
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the 5 major signs of pathological narcissism, as well as 3 bonus invisible signs of narcissism. We explor…
Ep 19: Is Narcissism Good? The Surprising Truth About Self-Importance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism, exploring its cultural labeling, the distinction between pathological…
Ep 18: The 6 Mental Health Trends: 2024 in Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the cultural and clinical trends of 2024, focusing on global unrest, political polarization, re-examinin…
Ep 17: BPD Part 5: Quiet Borderline: A Closer Look at Subtypes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:04
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we continue to explore the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), particularly focusing on the lesser-known subtype: Quiet BPD. We delve into the historic…
Ep 16: BPD Part 4: What BPD Therapy Really Looks Like [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:45
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we dive into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment, in particular, the healing power of the invisible dynamics in therapy. We discuss the im…