Why Do Psychopaths Do What They Do?

Unconstrained by rules, psychopaths seek the thrill of victimizing others.

Posted February 9, 2026 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Famed psychopathy researcher Dr. Robert D. Hare captured the essence of what motivates psychopaths in a quote from one. Hare wrote, "Typical of many of our psychopathic subjects, when asked why she committed crimes, a female in one of our studies replied, ‘You want the truth? Just for the fun of it.'” 1

Loyal only to self, not anyone else

Psychopaths are known not to have loyalty to “groups, codes, or principles, other than to 'look out for number one.'” 2 Having a mother who had high levels of psychopathic traits, not only was I a victim, but also an observer of just how easy it is for a psychopath to lower the bar on standards, completely violating laws, rules, and ethics of society. It is always difficult to fathom a mother who is not loyal to her own child. However, the truth is the psychopathic mother has as much loyalty to her own family as she would to a band of thieves attempting to seize her handbag. The psychopath treats others as objects. Human feelings and relationships mean nothing to them.

Small clues can lead to big revelations

I often say, small clues can lead to big revelations. It has become a mantra in my life. When I apply it to my own early childhood situations, it reveals much about what motivates the psychopath. I can recall a special moment when I was at the library with my mother, choosing books that I wanted to read. My mother had asked me what kind of stories I like. I told her stories with happy endings. My mother rummaged through the library bookshelves and picked up The Ugly Duckling. My mother, who did not read to me often, decided to read me that story when we arrived home. While listening to her singsong voice, I was troubled when she told me that I was the ugly duckling. “Will I grow up to be the beautiful swan?” I asked. I looked into my mother’s face and saw a blank stare as I waited for more comforting words. But none came. This insidious silence betrayed her desire to torment me emotionally. It was a small clue to a lifetime of overt and covert emotional attacks that provided her satisfaction and many thrills.

Outside of society’s rules and craving for pleasure

The psychopath, whether it be your own mother who is upsetting you, or a hardened serial killer , is “less the result of adverse social conditions than of a character structure that operates with no reference to the rules and regulations of society." 3 According to psychopathy expert Dr. J. Reid Meloy, “Psychopathic individuals know well within themselves these feelings of sadistic pleasure, contemptuous delight." 4 Meloy discusses how David Berkowitz, the infamous “Son of Sam” serial killer, exemplified this. Berkowitz’s killing spree began in late 1975 and ended in August of 1977 with eight shootings that culminated in six deaths. Berkowitz had confided to his psychiatrist, David Abrahamsen, after he shot and killed his targets: “I was literally singing to myself on my way home, after the killing.” 5 Criminology expert D. Kim Rossmo has written about Berkowitz that he “exhibited an enduring enjoyment of his activities, often returning to the scenes of his crimes.” 6

Seeking the thrill of victimizing others

The psychopath knows full well what is right and what is wrong. They have a glib tongue that can sound rational and intelligent, yet for the fun of it, they engage in schemes and concoct stories to put one over on another person. They crave the rush of energy in the exhilaration of the moment, relishing sadistic pleasure and enjoying contemptuous delight. They can embezzle, engage in petty theft or extortion, devise schemes to milk and bilk systems, organizations, and people. They can commit armed robbery or cold-blooded murder. For them, this is a thrill. It is their way of adding spice to their lives. Some, as in the case of my mother, exploit and victimize family members and others around them, just for the fun of it.

1. 1. Hare, Robert D. (1999). Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. 85.
Meloy, J. Reid. (2002). The Psychopathic Mind: Origins, Dynamics, and Treatment. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson Inc. 114.
Rossmo, D. Kim (1999). Geographic Profiling . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 165.

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Winifred Rule is a member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy and author of Born to Destroy , the first instructional book on the female psychopath, based on her experiences and lessons learned from living with two psychopaths.

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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.