Characteristics of psychopaths | The Tyranny of Psychopaths
Power elite psychopaths can be charming, charismatic, and intelligent. They are often seen as great leaders. They have powerful personalities with an almost a hypnotic ability to persuade and command people to do what they want. They can be smart, even scary smart—but in a devious, Machiavellian way. They are con artists who present a false image to the world, an image that they know will gain favorable attention.
Their emotional life consists of the gratification of acquiring, consuming, and possessing the best of everything, the thrill of conquest, the frustration of losing a fight, the triumph of defeating enemies, and the glory of egomania.
But above all, they live to conquer and to win. Psychopaths love battles—for them, it is a game. They go from one challenge to the next. They love winning and prizes, recognition and fame. They love privileges and exclusive clubs. They believe they are entitled to the best of everything. Psychopaths believe the entire world is theirs for the taking.
They have no respect for the shared space of the world in which we live, our society, or the environment. They have no respect for the notion of the commons. An issue like global warming is simply an annoyance that interferes with business. Neither do they care about the truth of any matter. They hate facts and studies that would compel them to a conclusion other than the one they want. They would take down a corporation if they could gain from doing so, as happened with Enron. They take down whole countries to extract their resources and acquire anything of value, as they have with Greece. They have taken down the financial system of the world for their own profit, leaving governments to pick up the pieces if they can. And they are in the process of taking down life on Earth.
Those of you who are professionals in psychology, allow us to develop a working model of the power elite psychopath for the purpose of discussion. The need to recognize psychopaths and their disastrous effects on the world is most dire.
The following is a list of characteristics of psychopaths was inspired by Dr. Robert Hare’s Without Conscience; The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us, Key Symptoms of Psychopathy, page 34. This list is modified and expanded, based on the author’s experience.
- Psychopaths lack shame, guilt, or embarrassment.
- They are callous and cold-hearted.
- They have no qualms about harming others.
- They have no empathy for their victims. They have no remorse for the harm they do.
- They lack normal human emotions and do not have the capacity for love.
- They have no fear.
- They blame others when something goes wrong, even when it is their own doing.
- If they are exposed, they make up an excuse. For them, it is all a game.
- They change their story to suit the circumstances.
- They are glib and superficial.
- They are deceitful and manipulative.
- They are calculating and devious.
- They promote a positive image of themselves to deceive others.
- They can be charming; they often attract allies and supporters.
- They have a grandiose sense of self worth, and a pathological egocentricity.
- They have a sense of entitlement.
- Their lifestyle is parasitic.
- They do what feels good. They thrive on excitement and lack a sense of responsibility.
- They are impulsive and easily distracted.
- They have poor behavior controls.
- They are bad tempered and have a low tolerance for frustration.
- They can be aggressive and violent.
- They have no intellectual capacity.
- They have trouble understanding metaphors and abstract concepts.
- They talk about ideals, such as freedom, integrity, and honesty—but they themselves don’t practice them.
- They are not creative. They steal the work and the ideas of others and take credit for them.
- They seek their own advantage and gratification without any of the normal social constraints.
- If others have something of value, psychopaths take it for themselves. They see it as their duty, because others are inferior subhumans who don’t deserve to have anything.
- They lie, cheat, steal, and kill to get their way. For them, it is a practical matter.
In the book, The Tyranny of Psychopaths, a group formed to study corruption and gave an all-day teach-in on psychopaths, their worldview, their organizational management (or, lack thereof), and the role of money and debt. Please see the chapter titled, The Tyranny of Psychopaths Teach-in.
Source: Characteristics of psychopaths | The Tyranny of Psychopaths by Janet Cascadia, 2015
Image courtesy of PsychopathyInfo.wordpress.com
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nowve666 16:33 on September 17, 2015 Permalink |
I was on a forum for psychopaths and someone asked us to each weigh in with our politics. The result showex psychopaths all over the political spectrum. Sure there were libertarians. But there were also socialists. I, myself, am a socialist. I believe global warming is a grave threat. I would be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to save the planet. I am pretty pessimistic about the outcome. People are so stupid. I have braced myself for a sad end. I am 72 years old so it doesn’t affect me that much. But who knows? There could be big surprises around the corner. Life is like that. One of the things that keeps it interesting. If that doesn’t happen, the human race deserves it. Shame the few great ones will also be destroyed.
Now on to the checklist. Some of the items are things most rational people would agree are good. Making oneself look good. What’s wrong with that? And enjoying life, seeking pleasure. This is wrong? Some of the things you listed aren’t even on the checklist. Lack of creativity? That’s a crock. No intellectual capacity? Surely you jest. You know some very intelligent psychopaths. This comment belies that statement. Understanding abstract concepts? Come on.
So, in summation, we are not all reactionaries that don’t want to stop global warming. Some of us are. Some NTs are like that too. Has the checklist been revised again? I never saw lack of creativity or intelligence. Please send me the new copy.
Cheers,
Frances
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@GeneticPsycho (Tina) 17:20 on September 17, 2015 Permalink |
Hi Frances, you make great points. This is a list created by Janet Cascadia. I agree with you about the additions she made. I have to guess that she based her list on one psychopath she met? I dunno, but since I know a lot of them, it is obvious to me that they come in the same varieties as the nons and that psychopathy is not associated with intellect or creativity.
-Tina
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RC 19:44 on September 17, 2015 Permalink |
Reblogged this on cogitations: think twice before u click. . . ..
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dianarasmussen 09:25 on September 19, 2015 Permalink |
Reblogged this on Prayers and Promises and commented:
“They lie, cheat, steal, and kill to get their way. For them, it is a practical matter.” How I wish someone had taught me these things before I started dating for the first time. Life was always a game with men like this and they would do anything to win. Lesson learned.
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@GeneticPsycho (Tina) 16:54 on September 19, 2015 Permalink |
Not just men, there are women out there who you would never suspect are deceitful under their sweet facade. I have been warning my teen son.
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dianarasmussen 18:25 on September 19, 2015 Permalink |
Very good point, thank you so much for sharing this with us!
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On Combatting the “Red Flags” of the Global Psychopathy | pnissila 12:38 on September 20, 2016 Permalink |
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Part 2: “On the Red Flags of Global (Political) Psychopathy”–an Inside Assault, an Inside Solution | pnissila 10:41 on March 26, 2019 Permalink |
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