Characteristics of Sociopathic/Psychopathic Personality Disorder.
A
psychopath is usually a charming, subtle manipulator. They do this by playing
to the emotions of others. They typically have high verbal intelligence, but
they lack what is commonly referred to as "emotional intelligence".
They don't learn from these consequences and seem to react with feelings and
regret when they are caught. But their regret is not so much for other people
as it is for the consequences that their behaviour has had on them, their
freedom, their resources and their so called "friends." Often
sexually promiscuous with difficulty in engaging within long term emotional relationships. A psychopath engages in relationships for self-gain
or self-gratification even when it seems like they are caring for and helping
others.
More often than not, the typical psychopath
will seem particularly agreeable and make a distinctly positive impression when
he is first encountered. Alert and friendly in his attitude, he is easy to talk
with and seems to have a good many genuine interests. There is nothing at all
odd or queer about him, and in every respect he tends to embody the concept of
a well-adjusted, happy person. Nor does he, on the other hand, seem to be
artificially exerting himself like one who is covering up or who wants to sell
you a bill of goods. He would seldom be confused with the professional
backslapper or someone who is trying to ingratiate himself for a concealed
purpose.He looks like the real thing.
Very
often indications of good sense and sound reasoning will emerge, and one is likely
to feel soon after meeting him that this normal and pleasant person is also one
with -high abilities. Psychometric tests also very frequently show him of
superior intelligence. More than the average person, he is likely to seem free
from social or emotional impediments, from the minor distortions,
peculiarities, and awkwardness...." Although they may tell stories
that should be unbelievable, they have a knack for doing so in a way that
causes intelligent people to believe them. However, some may peg them as overly
slick or insincere, alerted by the psychopath’s use of excessive flattery to
manipulate people.
Signs
of psychopathic behaviour within a working environment
Babiak and Hare argue that
psychopaths in a working environment follow a predictable script that involves
pawns, patrons and patsies (people who can be manipulated easily). Psychopaths
recruit pawns such as lower-ranking employees or peers, whom they can
manipulate. The manipulation can involve doing the psychopath’s work or it can
involve inducing a peer to engage in conflict with another employee. Much like
Max von Sydow’s Leland Gaunt in the Stephen King film, Needful Things,
psychopaths may tell one colleague one thing and a second colleague another,
setting each against the other.
Patrons are higher-level
managers whom the psychopath wins over, convincing them that he, the
psychopath, is ethical, enthusiastic, creative and hardworking. The patsies are
former pawns and patrons whom the psychopath may have betrayed before to test
gullibility. Frequently, psychopaths are expert at grasping others’
psychological needs and weaknesses. This psychological competence enables the
psychopath to engage in manipulation in which they take pleasure. Because the
psychopath seems charming to higher ups and to many co-workers, he can
undermine accusations that begin to develop.
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These class of individuals who have been around forever and who
are found in every race, culture, society and walk of life. Everybody has met
these people, been deceived and manipulated by them, and forced to live with or
repair the damage they have wrought. Often charming—but always deadly—their
hallmark is a stunning lack of conscience; their game is self-gratification at
the other person's expense. Willing to use and abuse others to achieve
their ends, and they are inclined to blame others, including their victims, for
their problems and bad behaviour.