Psychopathy (/saɪˈkɒpəθi/) is a personality disorder
characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions,
egocentricity, and deception.
I have always wondered why serial killers and gangsters are
the only people generally associated with the term. Criminality is just a
symptom or effect which may or may not manifest due to psychopathy. Also, the
definition in itself says nothing about the acts of hurting people being just
physical or criminal! Secondly, nothing in this world is black and white. It’s
predominantly grey. Meaning, what about people who only have only some of the
traits, are only part psychopaths?
I recently came across a research (with much difficulty)
where some attorneys and psychology professors were asked if they knew a
successful psychopath and the answer was predominantly yes. The listed
characteristics of such individuals had just one difference when compared to a
standard psychopath. Conscientiousness. Impulsiveness in their case was
replaced by high self discipline. Well, that and mostly a very high IQ. (Refer http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.in/2010/08/hunting-successful-psychopath.html)
I came across a series of characteristics against which an
individual is mapped to determine if he is a psychopath or not. I have divided
the characteristics in the following four categories:
Positives:
These are positives for the
psychopath that make him a social predator, enabling him to manipulate
his surroundings for his own gain.
|
Negatives:
These characteristics hurt him
and tend to make him the commonly known criminal psychopath.
|
1.
Glib
and Superficial Charm
2.
Pathological
Lying
3.
Conning and Manipulativeness
4.
Callousness
and Lack of Empathy
5.
Lack
of Remorse or Guilt
6.
Shallow
Affect
|
1.
Lack
of Realistic, Long-Term Goals
2.
Need
for Stimulation or Proneness
to Boredom
3.
Poor
Behavioral Controls
4.
Impulsivity
5.
Irresponsibility
6. Failure to Accept Responsibility
for Own Actions |
Neutral:
These neither help the pyschopath’s
cause nor hurt them
|
Effects:
These characteristics are rather effects of the other traits listed
rather than a characteristic of cause
|
1.
Grandiose
Self-Worth
2.
Promiscuous
Sexual Behavior
|
1.
Early
Behavior Problems
2.
Many Short-Term
Marital Relationships
3.
Juvenile
Delinquency
4.
Revocation
of Condition Release
5.
Criminal
Versatility
6.
Parasitic
Lifestyle
|
Concentrating on the negatives, most of the points are
similar and tend to make the psychopath unpredictable and dangerous. People
scoring high on these traits are bound to be irresponsible in their actions
which may make them cross the lines in terms of socially acceptable norms and legal
frameworks.
However, as I said before what about people who do not have
the negative traits or atleast in whom these traits are not predominant while
scoring high on the traits listed as positives? An emotionless being with a
high conscientiousness would be a corporate shark.
Of the Myers-Briggs
personality types, ESTJ (Extrovert-Sensing-Thinking-Judgement) is supposed to a
preferred personality type in terms of corporate environment. (Some may strongly
disagree with the statement). I would
dare to extrapolate that a conscientious psychopath would be just the type. A
highly efficient thinking machine with an inclination towards action. An
extrovert and influential speaker without emotions to hold him back.
A conscientious psychopath, I believe, is the peak of
human evolution. Survival of the fittest has ensured that such personalities
have taken a lead over lesser, emotional mortals. You shouldn’t be surprised if
you find such personalities as leaders in the corporate world.
So next time you are up against a corporate shark, beware! Your
opponent may be the most formidable opponent nature has to offer.
