Is Dawson Leery A Sociopath?
True or False: Dawson Leery of television’s Dawson’s Creek exhibits characteristics of sociopathy.
The following questionnaire is based on research and experiences of socialised sociopaths. For each trait, decide if it applies to the person you suspect may be a socialised sociopath, fully (2 points), partially (1 point) or not at all (0 points).
Do they have problems sustaining stable relationships, personally and in business? 1.1-3 - Dawson suddenly begins to vacillate wildly in his attempts to negotiate his longest personal friendship with Joey Potter. (2 points)
Do they frequently manipulate others to achieve selfish goals, with no consideration of the effects on those manipulated? 1.12: “Double Date” - Dawson invites Mary Beth to the fair to trick Jen into thinking he is over her, when in fact he wants to win her back. (2 points)
Are they cavalier about the truth, and capable of telling lies to your face? 1.12: “Double Date” - Dawson tells Mary Beth that he invited her to the fair because he wants Jen to feel more comfortable around Cliff. (2 points)
Do they have an air of self-importance, regardless of their true standing in society? 1.3: “Kiss” - Dawson believes that he deserves to be in the film class because he’s somehow better than the other students. (2 points)
Have they no apparent sense of remorse, shame or guilt? 1.6: “Baby” - Dawson may be overstepping his boundaries while filming Bessie’s birth. (1 point)
Is their charm superficial, and capable of being switched on to suit immediate ends? 1.2, 1.12 - Dawson lies and finagles repeatedly to gain access to potential dates. (2 points)
Are they easily bored and demand constant stimulation? 1.8: “Boyfriend” - Dawson flips television channels compulsively, hesitating on the scrambled porn station, in an attempt to entertain himself because nothing else good is on. (1 point)
Are their displays of human emotion unconvincing? - Utterly. (2 points)
Do they enjoy taking risks, and acting on reckless impulse? 1.9: “Roadtrip” - Dawson plays hooky with Jen’s ex-boyfriend so he can go to a nightclub, where he is allowed admittance even though he is a minor and this establishment serves alcoholic beverages. (2 points)
Are they quick to blame others for their mistakes? 1.7: “Detention” - Dawson blames Pacey’s teasing for his own violent reaction (breaking Pacey’s nose with a basketball), which lands him in detention. (2 points)
As teenagers, did they resent authority, play truant and/or steal? cf. question 9. (2 points)
Do they have no qualms about sponging off others? cf. question 5: Dawson uses Bessie’s maternity as a means to his own development as a filmmaker, and is excited when “drama” presents itself (i.e. Bessie and Jen’s Grams do not like each other). (2 points)
Are they quick to lose their temper? cf. question 10. Also, 1.8: “Boyfriend” - Dawson goes from apologetic nice guy to slut-shaming rage ball in ten seconds. (2 points)
Are they sexually promiscuous? No. (0 points)
Do they have a belligerent, bullying manner? 1.4: “Discovery” - Dawson resorts to slut-shaming Jen and his mom for their sexual actions. (2 points)
Are they unrealistic about their long-term aims? Dawson wants to be the next Steven Spielberg. (1 point)
Do they lack any ability to empathise with others? cf. questions 12 and 13. (2 points)
Would you regard them as essentially irresponsible? Debatable. (1 point)
A score of 25 or above suggests strong psychopathic tendencies. This does not mean the person is a potential mass-murderer: socialised psychopaths are not mad, nor do they have to resort to violence. Even so, a close professional or emotional relationship with a socialised psychopath is likely to prove a damaging experience.
Well, at the risk of psychologizing a fictional character… yes. Yes, Dawson Leery does exhibit strong characteristics of sociopathy.
