Scientists reveal key sign someone could be a psychopath and it's not what you'd expect

It can be incredibly difficult to spot a psychopath considering they look just like everyone else and can be rather charming when they want.

If you don't know what to be on the lookout for, it's unreasonable to expect that someone could tell whether or not a person is a psychopath or not, but a lot of research goes into working out the signs to spot.

Previous research suggests that if you can spot someone with a superficial charm and a lack of empathy, as well as an inflated sense of self worth, impulsiveness and a chronic dishonesty, then that should stand you in good stead.

Other studies have found that the way someone stands and poses could give some insight as to what's going on in their mind, and may 'show signs they think they’re better than other people'.

If you need more things to be on the lookout for, a new study from researchers at the University of Turin has suggested that something else might be a person's relationship status.

Psychopaths apparently find it difficult to maintain a relationship and are thus more likely to be single. (Lionsgate Films)

According to a study, 1,101 people were evaluated for the 'Dark Triad' of psychopathy, narcissism and 'Machiavellianism', which is a measure of how manipulative someone is - named after a famous Italian figure who is deeply misunderstood.

Machiavelli's reputation aside, the scientists behind the study found that people who were single scored higher for psychopathic traits.

Let's not tar all singletons with the same brush here, some of us are perfectly wonderful people, but the study results did show that people in relationships scored lower for psychopathy and 'Machiavellianism'.

The researchers suggested that people with these traits were less likely to make relationships work, though didn't have trouble with attracting partners.

The study noted: "The personality traits belonging to the Dark Triad are characterised by strong egocentrism, manipulative behaviour, and low morals.

"Individuals with these socially unfavourable traits have greater difficulty empathising with and considering the needs of others, which is essential for fostering loving interpersonal relationships, although they often succeeded in attracting partners."

"Stop using my name to mean 'evil stuff'. I'm very misunderstood." (History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the study did find that narcissists were more likely to be in relationships, noting that while they struggled to keep a relationship going, long term 'narcissists can satisfy their need for power, dominance or status enhancement' through a partner.

Scientists found that men were more likely to have the 'Dark Triad' traits than women, and that a person's attitude towards love had a major bearing on whether or not they could start or maintain a relationship.

To sum up, manipulators and psychopaths were less likely to be in a relationship for reasons that may be apparent, but were adept at starting them.

If someone is able to get in a lot of relationships, but doesn't stay with a partner for a long time before it's over, then you might start to wonder if they're the problem.