Yes, psychopaths may behave differently when they are by themselves compared to when they are with people. Their behavior can be influenced by several factors, including their desire for social manipulation, the need to hide their true nature, and their propensity for risk-taking and impulsivity.
When psychopaths are alone, they might exhibit the following behaviors or tendencies:
Preoccupation with Fantasies: Psychopaths often have grandiose fantasies and may indulge in daydreams about their own success, power, or dominance. When alone, they may engage in these fantasies more freely.
Risk-taking Behaviors: Without the social constraints and potential consequences of others' judgment, psychopaths may engage in more impulsive and risky behaviors when they are by themselves.
Impulsivity: They might act on their desires and urges without considering the impact on others, as there is no immediate social context to regulate their actions.
Aggression or Violence: Some psychopaths have a proclivity towards aggressive or violent behaviors. When alone, they may be more likely to act out on these tendencies without external inhibitions.
Lack of Empathy: Their lack of empathy may become more apparent when they are alone since there are no social interactions to require them to feign empathy or concern for others.
On the other hand, when psychopaths are with people, especially in social situations, they may display a different set of behaviors to manipulate others and achieve their goals:
Charm and Charisma: Psychopaths can be highly skilled at portraying themselves as charming and charismatic individuals to win trust and admiration.
Manipulation: They are adept at manipulating others to gain control, power, or resources. They may use charm, lies, and deceit to achieve their objectives.
Mimicking Empathy: In social situations, psychopaths may mimic empathy and emotions to blend in and avoid suspicion. They can be skilled actors, appearing concerned or caring when it benefits them.
Superficial Friendliness: Psychopaths may show a superficial friendliness and sociability, although their interactions lack genuine emotional depth.
Masking Their True Intentions: When interacting with others, psychopaths may carefully hide their true intentions, motives, and lack of emotional connection.
It's important to note that psychopathic behavior can vary significantly from person to person. Not all psychopaths exhibit extreme or violent behavior, and some may be better at disguising their true nature than others. Additionally, some psychopaths may have developed coping mechanisms that allow them to function more adaptively in social situations, while others may struggle to maintain any semblance of socially acceptable behavior.