I can see a bit of a sociopath in Sherlock but I do see a lot more Aspergers about him.

I have known a few real sociopaths, especially when my confidence levels were really low and they are no fun to be around. They can control you with a look and they can be rather poisonous to your life. They feel better when they can control you and the situation.

I see that when Sherlock forces a smile to seem likable when he wants to get something out of the situation. 

For me I can see a person who decided to stay away from emotions at a young age; or may have had the wrong responses to the feelings he had as a child and therefore he runs away from them. And he might have been so successful that he can't even identify human emotions 

Last edited by This Is The Phantom Lady (February 6, 2014 1:37 pm)

Mnemosyne wrote:

You can absolutely have a character who can have all these character traits and not have ASD. Sherlock could be a massive introvert. It might not be ASD at all.

But I can see why a lot of people have called BS on the 'sociopath' thing. The two things are not the same and I'm pretty sure (not an expert so let me know) that there is no such thing as a 'high functioning sociopath.'

This has led people to think why, as an adult, Sherlock would identify himself as something that people could fear. The primary conclusion that many have reached is that Sherlock would rather be feared than pitied. ASD is classed largely as a disability and therefore he risks being pitied by everyone and not being given the same opportunites. Sherlock therefore needs (in his mind) another reason to explain his behaviour to others that would invoke a 'better' response (not that I think being labelled a 'freak' by the likes of Sally Donovan is any better but there you go.)

I think the reason a lot of people have picked up on it is because it was mentioned in passing by John in THoB and Benedict has mentioned playing Sherlock as having Asperger's in some interviews.

I, personally, get the feeling Sherlock is on the spectrum. Because there is introvesion and then there's asking a man you barely know if your response to something was 'not good' because an overwhelming silence has just descended onto the room.

Actually, we have a character on TV who is Canonically on the Autism and Aspergers spectrum-- he's actually written that way-- Will Graham from NBC's Hannibal. Interesting to discuss the similarites and differences between Will and Sherlock. 

I haven't been formally diagnosed with Asperger's... though it has been implied that I'm on the spectrum-edge of normal.  Whatever.  Seems to me that most geeky fangirls and fanboys could find themselves  labeled as being somewhere on the spectrum.  It also seems that a whole lot of people who are merely introverts (who gain energy during quiet introspection) are lately being labeled with Asperger's, because they don't fit in well with the party crowd (extroverts, who take energy from social engagement).

(I'm a teacher, and had parents come in a few weeks ago to discuss their son's Asperger's.  Kid at 14 seems pretty damned normal to me - he was socially awkward in younger grades, and isn't the life of the party.  But he has friends now, and is never left out of a group.  I wonder if he hasn't been pigeonholed with this label, convinced that rather than having a different personality type, he has a deficit.  Kind of hurts my heart for him.)

Anyway, say I have Asperger's.  Let's embrace the label.  You might have it, too, if you're reading an online forum and doing psychological studies of fictional characters. 

So... the leaving the wedding early?  Ab-so-lutely something I would do.  And have done.  And will do again.  Huge crowd?  Couple hours of cheek-aching small talk and fake smiles?  Everyone is now dancing and drinking and won't even notice when I leave?  Hooray!  I get to go home now, put on my jammies, and curl up with a good book or a marathon viewing session.

I also leave early from large work parties where everyone else still has a couple good hours of drinking and schmoozing in them.  And avoid, unless impossible, tedious events like baby and bridal showers that require long hours of false enthusiasm for onesies and vulgar nightgowns.

I actually do not understand how anyone else truly enjoys events like those.  Honestly, in my heart of hearts, I believe other people are pretending they're having fun, because that's what I'm doing.  Evidence is against me - it doesn't make logical sense that all those people are lying - but it's nearly impossible for me to believe that the noise and crowds and fake cheer are actually enjoyable to anyone else.  Leaving early seems the best compromise, after the socially-unacceptable choice of not going in the first place. 

I'm nearly 100% certain that I'm not a sociopath... so I don't think you can use leaving the wedding early as a diagnostic criterion for sociopathy.

But, Sherlock with Asperger's?  Sherlock as an extremely intelligent introvert who rarely finds an engaging conversationalist?  I could go either way.

Fillyjonk

Last edited by Fillyjonk (February 27, 2014 10:32 am)

Me too.. 

Fillyjonk wrote:

Anyway, say I have Asperger's. Let's embrace the label. You might have it, too, if you're reading an online forum and doing psychological studies of fictional characters.

This made me laugh out loud.. certainly some truth to it .

Fillyjonk wrote:

But, Sherlock with Asperger's? Sherlock as an extremely intelligent introvert who rarely finds an engaging conversationalist? I could go either way.

I´m quite sure it´s the latter.. but then I never thought much about it, I don´t like to diagnose people who don´t actively search for diagnoses themselves . For me it doesn´t change anything if a person meets some crietria for mild form of Asperger´s or whatever..
 

But I think there is also an increasing awareness for the strong points and advantages of introverts - I came across many good articles about that topic lately. 

Zatoichi wrote:

But I think there is also an increasing awareness for the strong points and advantages of introverts - I came across many good articles about that topic lately. [img]file:///C:\Users\Curtis\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png[/img]

Definitely. I read this book recently 'Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking' and really enjoyed it.

I'm extremely introverted. I find socialising draining, particularly in large groups. I always end up going home early from any sort of gatherings, including weddings. Luckily friends and family know me well enough not to take offence. They know that I just get very tired in that kind of set up.

Not all introverts are shy or prefer to consistently keep themselves to themselves. Interestingly I have chosen a job that involves interacting with people almost constantly, often in very emotionally charged situations. I like people and I really enjoy unpicking their stories. If you are familiar with Myers-Briggs types I'm an INFJ. An introvert in disguise. It's not obvious straight away what my preference is. I need to be alone to recharge my batteries and I enjoy solitary activities but at the same time I care about people and get a lot of satisfaction from helping others.
 

Zatoichi wrote:

Oh, so you recommend it? I just read an interview with the author and it sounded really interesting. 

It's a good read. It illustrates how introverts are quietly taking over the world from behind the scenes. ;) If you already have a good understanding of what introversion means and how it can be used to your advantage it's not exactly ground breaking news but it's still quite affirming.

Zatoichi wrote:

I am ISFJ  - and the same regarding gatherings.. (That´s probably why I´m one of the few people who didn´t find the end of TSoT too sad..)

But I´m afraid we digress from the topic here..

I’m a master of digression.
To get back on topic of personalities in Sherlock. Have you ever wondered what type the main characters would be?

 

I think he is more of an INTP. He is a bit to spontanous and chaotic for a true J.

And society has a little bias toward extroverts (although we have more and more loners in pop culture), but I don't think being an introvert is disorder.

I have concluded that I am the type of person who is easily bored by personality tests, to the extent that I ground to a halt at question 25.