<p>Public anxiety is aroused when the term ‘psychopath’ appears in the media, particularly when it is linked with extreme violence or even murder. In fact, in view of the manner in which this personality disorder is portrayed in the popular press, on television and in films, the public can perhaps be forgiven for assuming that all psychopaths are violent criminals (Kirkman 2002). Although psychopaths are indeed frequently seen in prisons and forensic establishments, it is estimated that the disorder, which is predominantly encountered in males, appears in 1 per cent of men who reside in the community (Hare 1996). This group of men, who exhibit behaviour which has remained at a level that did not require imprisonment or who, on account of their charm and social skills, have been successful in avoiding the criminal justice system, live among us, causing chaos in the lives of people who are unfortunate enough to form relationships with them as wives, partners or friends.</p>