Anti-social personality disorder

"A personality disorder is an accentuation of one or more personality traits to the point that the trait significantly impairs an individual's social or occupational functioning" (Encyclopedia Britannica). To be more specific, a personality disorder called antisocial personality disorder impairs an individual's social and occupational functioning even more. This disorder is also referred to as sociopathic personality disorder and psychopathy. People with this disorder often act on impulse, are manipulative, and have little or no conscious. "Dr. Robert Hare described individuals with an antisocial personality disorder as 'social predators who charm, manipulate, and ruthlessly plow their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations, and empty wallets" (Psychology in Action PG. 528).
Acting on impulse often gets "antisocials" in trouble. They have to suffer the consequences when before, they gave no regard to the end result of their action. They don't know the difference of right and wrong. Their ways of thinking, perceiving situations, and they way they relate to others are dysfunctional. They often violate the law and rights of others, landing themselves in frequent trouble and conflict. They may lie, behave violently, and have drug and alcohol problems. They also may not be able to fulfill responsibilities to their family, school, and work.
Personality is believed to be formed during childhood, "shaped through an interaction of two factors" (mayoclinic.com): Inherited tendencies--genes--and life situations. The genes, passed on from parents, also called your temperament, are the "nature part of the nature vs. nurture debate" (mayoclinic.com). Combined with the genetic influence, it is also proven that ones environment also effects their personality. Research suggests that one may have a genetic vulnerability to developing antisocial personality disorder and their life situation may trigger its actual development.
Symptoms of antisocial personality disorder include the disregard for right and wrong, persistent lying or deceit, the use of charm to manipulate others, recurring difficulties with the law, aggressive or violent behavior, lack of remorse about harming others, and repeatedly violating the rights of others.
There are several different instances of antisocial personalitydisorder in the movie The Silence of the Lambs. Both Hannibal Lectorand "Buffalo Bill" show symptoms of this disorder. When ClariceStarling was sent by the F.B.I to interview the "psychopath" Dr.Lector, she was first warned of his danger. Once, he faked chest painand was taken to get medical help. When the nurse took off his mouthrestraint to take an EKG, he ate her face. His pulse didn't riseabove 85, even when he was eating her tongue. He couldn't choosebetween right and wrong, and had no care for her--even though she wasonly trying to help him.
People with antisocial personality disorder are often manipulative,charming, and cunning. The audience is made to like Lector throughoutthe movie, even when he is actually a serial killing cannibal. He'sclever and quick-witted. He helps Clarice to figure out the identityof the serial killer, but is also one himself.
In another instance, Lector killed Miggs--the person in the cell nextto him--just to amuse himself. He whispered to Miggs all night, untilhe killed himself. The next day, when Clarice interviewed him, hesaid something with sexual context. She told him that what he saidwas uncalled for, and something that Miggs would say. Lector repliedwith, "Not anymore." Again his actions prove he has no care forothers.
The night that Buffalo Bill decides to steal Catherine, he is dressedas an older man with a handicap--an arm in a cast. While strugglingto put a couch in his van, Catherine sees him and decides to help. Hemanipulated her by faking an injury and acting like an innocent man.All of the girls he kidnaps, he keeps for three days, and doesn'tabuse them or mutilate them until after they're dead--he just leavesthem, suffering, for three days, knowing what their future holds.
When he had placed Catherine down in the well, she screamed and criedand begged for him to let her go. His face was in a blank stare--hedid not care for her emotions. His lack of conscience is also anotherexample of his disorder.
"For better or worse, movies and television contribute significantlyto shaping the public's perception of the mentally ill and those whotreat them" (Stephen E. Hyler). Buffalo Bill and Dr. Hannibal Lectorboth fit the psychopathology stereotype of the "rebellious spirit."Rebellious--"not easily handled or kept in place"(wikipedia)--explains them both. They aren't handled easily insociety and don't fit in anywhere. I believe the movie portrayed themental illness very well without flaw. It showed how manipulativethese people can be, how impulsive their actions are, and howunconscious they really are.