On Recognizing Psychopaths
They will lie almost reflexively and also engage in very predatory, planned lying.
They really enjoy pulling a fast one on other people, and they don't feel bad about doing it.
Dr. Ronald Schouten, Director of Law and Psychiatry Services at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
They really enjoy pulling a fast one on other people, and they don't feel bad about doing it.
Dr. Ronald Schouten, Director of Law and Psychiatry Services at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Recognize them... and avoid them!
Maybe you know someone who is:
If the person has all - or even most - of these characteristics then you probably know a psychopath.
More info
The book Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work by Babiak and Hare is well worth reading. It explores situations where psychopaths have infiltrated positions of power, and abused that power to pursue their self interests, yet managed to hide in plain sight while doing so.
Another text book on the nature of this particular beast is The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout - her treatment of the subject is equally readable although my personal preference is for texts by Hare as he is 'the man', having pioneered the concept and created the clinical/psychiatric/psychological standard test. However Martha's a pretty good read too.
These, plus Hare's bible, Without Conscience, are highly enlightening sources for anyone who wants to be able to recognize these people and avoid them - or wants to know how to handle them if avoidance is impossible.
If you prefer a lighter read then check out Ronson's The Psychopath Test - a highly amusing romp through the world of psychopaths and the difficulties of identifying them accurately. The book is not to be taken too seriously as it has been roundly criticized by academics!
However, you will find some great video documentaries on successful non-criminal psychopaths here too.
Maybe you know someone who is:
- Superficially charming
- Very glib
- Sometimes transparently dishonest - yet shrugs it off as nothing if exposed
- Often devious
- Suspicious of others' motives (thinks the worst of people)
- Doing exceptionally well in his (or her) career by screwing colleagues over
- Promiscuous and regularly hurts people's feelings (maybe deliberately)
- Failing to accept responsibility for their actions
- Exhibiting a well developed sense of entitlement
- Exhibiting a very big ego
- Convinced you should think the world of them as they certainly do...
If the person has all - or even most - of these characteristics then you probably know a psychopath.
More info
The book Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work by Babiak and Hare is well worth reading. It explores situations where psychopaths have infiltrated positions of power, and abused that power to pursue their self interests, yet managed to hide in plain sight while doing so.
Another text book on the nature of this particular beast is The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout - her treatment of the subject is equally readable although my personal preference is for texts by Hare as he is 'the man', having pioneered the concept and created the clinical/psychiatric/psychological standard test. However Martha's a pretty good read too.
These, plus Hare's bible, Without Conscience, are highly enlightening sources for anyone who wants to be able to recognize these people and avoid them - or wants to know how to handle them if avoidance is impossible.
If you prefer a lighter read then check out Ronson's The Psychopath Test - a highly amusing romp through the world of psychopaths and the difficulties of identifying them accurately. The book is not to be taken too seriously as it has been roundly criticized by academics!
However, you will find some great video documentaries on successful non-criminal psychopaths here too.