How to pick psychopaths among us David Gibb AskMen January 28, 2013 2:45AM EVER wonder what it takes to be a psychopath? Many with psychotic traits can be found in boardrooms and government
“Damn it! I’m going to be late for my meeting!”
Robert, an ambitious CEO for a multinational corporation, was to announce his clever shotgun takeover of yet another firm at that morning’s boardroom roundtable. Instead, stuck in traffic, he looked down at his watch and shook his head in disgust. He climbed out of his Porsche and slammed the driver’s door behind him. His eyes surveyed the devastation covering the landscape. Two transport trucks had collided, causing a domino-effect of bloody carnage. Emergency responders were on the scene, and anxious spectators gathered at the roadside. Some quietly wiped tears from their cheeks, while others made no such effort to conceal their grief.
But Robert thought not of the people who had just lost their lives only a few metres away from where he was standing; he thought not of his wife and children, who were themselves on their way to work and school. Unlike the others, who watched the emergency crews valiantly fighting to preserve life, Robert was instead fascinated by the sight of all the grieving faces around him. He found the emotions perplexing. Amusing even. It was as though he were studying an alien life form.
I wonder why on earth they’re upset, he thought. What the hell? They didn’t even know these people. They’re just strangers!
Just then, an elderly lady standing next to him reached out and grasped his forearm. She looked up at him, tears welling in her swollen eyes.
“It’s terrible, isn’t it? So many innocent people hurt …” she said, through her dry, quivering lips.
Robert forced a frown and averted his gaze to the bloodied pavement, as he nodded his head in feigned agreement.
But he had simply learned the words; he knew not how to make the music.
For, although Robert is a successful and prominent businessman, and a trusted neighbour and family man, he’s also afflicted with a severe personality disorder.
Robert is a psychopath.
It’s a scary and unsettling truth that between 1-5 per cent of the world’s population are full-fledged, clinical psychopaths, some of whom are born to kill. Yet a large majority of psychopaths are “subclinical,” meaning that they embody a wide - but not full - range of psychopathic traits. They’re able to lie, cheat and steal - even kill - without feeling any remorse or concern for their victims, while leaving a trail of tears and destruction in their wake.
And it’s not that they don’t know the difference between right and wrong; they simply just don’t give a damn. These emotionally vacant people walk freely among us, and chances are good that we’ll unknowingly encounter at least one on any given day. With true chameleon-like abilities, most psychopaths will travel right under our noses without any of us being the wiser. To most, psychopaths seem charming, intelligent, completely normal and in full control of their lives. Lucky for us, they’re not all serial killers.
But not all serial killers are psychopaths either. Surprisingly, when assessed at an arm’s length for my book, Camouflaged Killer, Colonel Russell Williams, who bound and raped four women and bludgeoned two of them to death, was deemed not to be clinically psychopathic. He scored just above average on the PCL-R test (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, the accepted yardstick for clinical diagnosis by psychiatric professionals). Remarkably, the same has been said for Adolf Hitler.
The shocking reality, however, is that very few psychopaths are violent criminals. A great many of those who harbour psychopathic traits can instead be found in boardrooms, legislatures, and even upper levels of government (a perspective likely observed by English writer Douglas Adams, who once mused: “Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job”). Some of the greatest achievers throughout history have probably been psychopaths. Drawn to positions of power and prestige, they represent many of the movers and shakers, cage rattlers and fence climbers in our society.
They’re found within the ranks of CEOs, corporate managers, soldiers, test pilots, spies, lawyers and politicians of all stripes. On average, they are extremely intelligent and have higher than average IQs. They’re also crafty, manipulative, controlling and usually very successful at what they do. Risk-takers by nature, they’re relentless in the pursuit of their goals, and their unyielding determination often earns them golden rewards. Success at any cost can be completely justified. All of which makes them natural born leaders - a reason they’re often recruited to such powerful positions in the first place. In psychiatric circles, these non-violent versions are known as “white-collar psychopaths.”
“Some are able to use their psychopathy to carve out success in business and other niches of life where individual excellence, leadership, confidence and strength can take you far,” explains Dr John Mitchell, chief psychologist at the United States Penitentiary in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
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“PSYCHOPATHIC TRAITS”
While most of us tend to think of a psychopath (or sociopath) as simply a deranged individual who can kill or maim without feeling any remorse or compassion, that’s an oversimplification of a very complex condition. There’s actually a lot more to it than that. Actual psychopathy requires the coexistence of several key indicators. Here are some important ones to watch for:
- Insincerity, coupled with superficial charm. - An inflated sense of self-worth, egocentric. - Lies habitually. - Manipulative. - Remorseless. Can easily rationalise wrongdoings. - Shows little in the way of emotion or feelings. - Fakes emotions. - Callousness, lacks empathy. - Failure to accept responsibility for their own action(s). - Easily bored. Needs constant stimulation. - Takes advantage of the goodwill of others. - Lack of realistic long-term goals. - Impulsiveness. - Behavioral problems earlier in life. - Poor behavior control. - Irresponsibility. - Commitment issues, many short-term relationships.
He is describing the sort of parasite/predator who comes on this site and says "if you know our financial system is rigged, you are an idiot if you don't take advantage of it"
You see,-.that mindset only sees two options- take advantage/ don't take advantage.
It could not for one moment imagine someone being altruistic and trying to change something (say our shit financial system) without the promise of personal gain.
- Insincerity, coupled with superficial charm. - An inflated sense of self-worth, egocentric. - Lies habitually. - Manipulative. - Remorseless. Can easily rationalise wrongdoings. - Shows little in the way of emotion or feelings. - Fakes emotions. - Callousness, lacks empathy. - Failure to accept responsibility for their own action(s). - Easily bored. Needs constant stimulation. - Takes advantage of the goodwill of others. - Lack of realistic long-term goals. - Impulsiveness. - Behavioral problems earlier in life. - Poor behavior control. - Irresponsibility. - Commitment issues, many short-term relationships.
stinkbug omosessuale Frank Castle is a liar and a criminal. He will often deliberately take people out of context and use straw man arguments. Frank finally and unintentionally gives it up and admits he got where he is, primarily via dumb luck! See here Property will be 50-70% off by 2016.
It is interesting, but surely almost common knowledge now? The real interesting point is where exactly is the line between psychopath and non-psychopath. We all exist somewhere along the scale.
I think you'll be hard up to find someone who ticks all those boxes.
- An inflated sense of self-worth, egocentric. - Lies habitually. - Manipulative. - Remorseless. Can easily rationalise wrongdoings. - Fakes emotions. - Callousness, lacks empathy. - Failure to accept responsibility for their own action(s). - Takes advantage of the goodwill of others.
That's what I consider a psycho. I've known 2 or 3. Very disturbing people. They should be killed.
I think it's hard to tell who is a psycho here. I think you have to know them in real life, but I'd say BP is one.
Just by the way one minute he's all PC so he can call people racist, then the next he's a white nationalist. That would display manipulation, remorselessness, callousness and lying.
stinkbug omosessuale Frank Castle is a liar and a criminal. He will often deliberately take people out of context and use straw man arguments. Frank finally and unintentionally gives it up and admits he got where he is, primarily via dumb luck! See here Property will be 50-70% off by 2016.
I think you'll be hard up to find someone who ticks all those boxes......
Really!
Frank Castle is a liar and a criminal. He will often deliberately take people out of context and use straw man arguments. _________________________________________
Frank Castle is a liar and a criminal. He will often deliberately take people out of context and use straw man arguments. _________________________________________
Thanks for pointing out moops psychopathic behaviour.
He calls me a liar and a criminal with zero supporting evidence proving it is he who is the liar .
using supposed straw man arguments and or supposedly taking people out of context is neither lying nor criminal behaviour.
Ignore posts by The Whole Truth · View Post · End Ignoring The forum fuckwit goes RRRAAARRRGGHHhhh - But not a fuck was given..................by anyone.
Thanks for pointing out moops psychopathic behaviour.
He calls me a liar and a criminal with zero supporting evidence proving it is he who is the liar .
using supposed straw man arguments and or supposedly taking people out of context is neither lying nor criminal behaviour.
You and the bulls are massive criminals. Massive!
stinkbug omosessuale Frank Castle is a liar and a criminal. He will often deliberately take people out of context and use straw man arguments. Frank finally and unintentionally gives it up and admits he got where he is, primarily via dumb luck! See here Property will be 50-70% off by 2016.
Really? You should tell the police about this criminal behaviour and have us arrested. Good luck with that you idiot.
More likely is you will get a kicking for wasting their time or be put in a psychiatric facility because you are clearly a fool
Ignore posts by The Whole Truth · View Post · End Ignoring The forum fuckwit goes RRRAAARRRGGHHhhh - But not a fuck was given..................by anyone.
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