miker,
I don't really see psycho in terms of rational/irrational
planning, either. I see it as more of an ends justify the
means kind of thing, as the psycho is unbound by moral and/or
social boundaries and is only concerned with how to bring
about an end s/he desires. Sometimes, this will be done in an
over the top way that leads to the psycho's exposure, but
just as often, the psycho/sociopath is great at masking
actions.
For instance, the psycho in Jason Starr's The Follower is
very, very good at seeming like a normal person, very good at
planning and executing his crimes with attention to detail so
he will not be exposed, very good at deflecting any suspicion
that comes his way (at least for a while). Same with Ripley.
I don't see psychos as evidenced in raving lunacy, but in the
extreme actions they will take to get what they want. They
can act very rationally in the pursuit of those irrational,
or totally self-involved goals.
Mark
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