Spencer Matthews to test whether he's a psychopath in Channel 4 documentary

Spencer Matthews, 37, the former Made in Chelsea star, has announced a one-off Channel 4 documentary that will subject his personality to the kind of scrutiny used in psychopathy research in order to determine whether he truly has the condition. The announcement follows remarks from friends and family who have reportedly flagged that he displays traits associated with psychopathy.

The program, described by producers as one of television’s most extreme psychological experiments, would push Matthews to reveal how he thinks and makes decisions under pressure. Matthews has said he hopes the project will shed light on how he is perceived by others and whether his personality contains elements that could be considered atypical by clinical standards.

Independent experts caution that psychopathy is not a simple label but a spectrum, with a range of traits that may appear in varying combinations. A widely cited online assessment from Psychology Today offers readers a quick glimpse into where someone might fall on that spectrum. The test consists of 20 statements and a three-minute battery of agreement or disagreement that yields a score from 0 to 100. It is free to take and designed to indicate relative tendencies rather than provide a formal diagnosis.

Psychology Today notes that the average score on the test hovers around 54. Scores in the lower range, roughly 0 to 19, are associated with few antisocial tendencies, suggesting high empathy and consideration for others. A middle band, around 51 to 74, indicates some antisocial tendencies without necessarily constituting clinical psychopathy. Those scoring in the upper range, between 87 and 100, may show several signs of psychopathy, including challenges with empathy and a greater likelihood of manipulating others or bending rules to achieve their aims. While such results can raise concern, experts emphasize that a single score does not determine a diagnosis and that psychopathy is a spectrum.

The test also provides guidance for people who score higher on the scale. It recommends seeking input from a mental health professional for a formal assessment and discusses steps to reduce risk factors associated with antisocial tendencies. Practical recommendations include addressing substance use, which can amplify negative behaviors, and engaging in prosocial activities such as volunteering to cultivate perspective-taking and empathy.

Psychopathy is characterized by a cluster of behavioral and personality traits, though not all individuals who display these traits are violent. Common signs that clinicians associate with the condition include superficial charm, a grandiose sense of self-worth, a need for stimulation and impulsivity, repeated lying, a pattern of manipulation, and a notable lack of remorse and empathy. The concept is often popularized in media, but clinical assessments—such as the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)—remain the standard for evaluating where someone sits on the spectrum. Experts emphasize that a short interaction or a single observation cannot reliably diagnose psychopathy, and even trained clinicians recognize the potential for error in casual encounters.

The Channel 4 project underscores ongoing public interest in personality tests and the public discussion around psychopathy. While Matthews has not disclosed a formal diagnosis, the project aims to illuminate questions about self-perception, how people are perceived by others, and the boundary between personality traits that are simply part of a person’s makeup and those that align with clinical criteria for a psychopathic disorder. In reporting this development, outlets note that Matthews intends to share insights from experts and potentially reveal how his traits might affect relationships, decision-making, and behavior under stress.

As with any mental-health topic, professionals advise caution against drawing definitive conclusions from celebrity-related media projects. Individuals curious about their own traits are encouraged to approach online tests as educational tools rather than diagnostic instruments, consult licensed clinicians for formal evaluation if concerns arise, and consider evidence-based therapies or interventions if needed. The conversation around psychopathy remains complex, with researchers continuing to study how traits emerge, change over time, and interact with environment, upbringing, and neurological factors. The broader takeaway is that psychopathy exists on a continuum, and understanding where a person falls requires careful, systematic assessment across multiple domains.