Common traits in the background of psychopathic children include:
- A mother exposed to deprivation or abuse as a child
- A transient father
- A mother who cannot maintain stable emotional connection with child
- Low birth weight or birth complications
- Unusual reactions to pain (especially to insult)
- Lack of attachment to adults
- Failure to make eye contact when touched
- Low frustration tolerance
- Sense of self-importance
- Transient relationships throughout childhood, or close association with another like him
- Cruelty toward others
- Animal abuse
- Lack of remorse for hurting someone
- Lack of empathy in friendships








