While I was watching the season finale of The Secret Life of the American Teenager on ABC Family tonight, our discussion from class about sociopaths popped back into my mind.
When Lauren said that Ricky lured girls to him by making them feel sorry for him, it became incredibly clear that Ricky is a sociopath. He has no guilt about his promiscuity or getting Amy pregnant, but feigns a conscience to become closer to Grace.
Anyway, although not everyone is familiar with the show, I thought it might make an interesting point to consider. His character exhibits many behaviors that fit exactly with what we mentioned in class.
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That makes a lot of sense, Ricky being a sociopath. The show never makes it clear whether or not he actually feels bad for the things that he does. It seems that all of the "right" things he does (taking an active role in Amy's pregnancy) are just for show.
I'm not sure yet if he's completely sociopathic (is that a word? it is now) or if he just feels the need to act out because of deep damage done by his father's sexual harassment. Or maybe it was his father's sexual harassment that made him a sociopath? I don't know, but that's a great example!
i'm reading a historical novel right now called "the meaning of night". the book begins with the main character killing a man on the streets of london. he approaches from behind and slits his throat. he did not know the man and he has no real reason for choosing him other than timing. the main character only commits this murder to test himself. he just wants to see if he can do it. the rest of the book is dedicated to detailing his past leading up to that point. it's very interesting in that you get to explore the mind of a killer.
this man is obviously a sociopath. he shows no remorse for his actions. his only reservation about the murder is that he fears he will be discovered, but even this doesn't last long.
his sociopathic (think i made this word up) ways extend into other parts of his life as well. he is involved with a woman who declares her love for him, but he cannot say it back. he dances around the topic and words his response in a way that makes her believe he loves her.
this book is definitely worth the read if anyone is interested. i would offer to lend it to you, but then i'd be giving away my oh-so-secret identity, and that would ruin my fun.
Here's a link that both Boo and BK might want to look into...
http://www.apsu.edu/oconnort/crim/crimtheory08.htm
Going along with what's in the link, BK, I think it's a very valid point that being sexually abused by his father probably caused him to become a sociopath. ("the sociopath (who is socialized into becoming a psychopath)" according to the webpage) It's interesting how many of the traits of sociopathy correspond with Ricky. I wonder how the show's creators went about making such a character. We'll have to wait until next season to see more of his behavior.
I agree that it isn't crystal clear whether his expressed feelings are genuine, but it sure feels like they aren't. Ricky is such a charmer. Other characters in the show, especially Grace, want to believe in him, but as a viewer, you can see exactly where their relationship is headed.
JAT, that was an awesome link! And now that I have read it, I definately think Ricky fits the sociopath description. He's quick to act on his sexual impulses but does not have a desire to bond & has a slighly depreciative attitude towards the opposite sex.
Thanks for the link, I favorited it because I'm sure it will prove useful later.
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