Next time you call someone “Psychopath!”, chances are you may be correct.
Science has proven that 2 out of every 100 people in any given society are callous, selfish, dishonest, arrogant, aggressive, irresponsible, impulsive, hedonistic, and are unable to feel empathy or remorse.
Really? Only 2 in every hundred?
I know. Feels like more. Especially near election time.
In any case, these people are, quite literally, psychopaths.
According to io9 Neuroscience, 3 to 6 million psychopaths live among us in the U.S. alone – with 3 to 5 percent of this portion found in the highest corporate and government sectors.
Moreover, Psychologist Robert Hare, a leading expert in the study of psychopathy and co-author of a book on the subject entitled ‘Snakes in Suits,’ contends that many children are inheriting a predisposition to psychopathy. Says Dr. Hare, “Male psychopaths exhibit a pattern of mating with and quickly abandoning women – and, as a result, have a high fertility rate.”
However, Kevin Dutton, author of ‘The Wisdom of Psychopaths,’ contends that psychopaths are more charming than most, and have above average intelligence bordering on genius.
According to Dutton, we need psychopaths.
“Psychopaths have a lot of good things going for them,” argues Dutton. “They are fearless, confident, charismatic, ruthless and focused — qualities tailor-made for success in 21st century society.
Specifically, attributes like coolness under pressure and strong desire give rise to successful surgeons, firefighters, movie stars, and attorneys. Weed out psychopathy, and you may lose some very important personality traits that help to create the greater whole that is humanity.”
The comments in this article are verrrry interesting.
And a little scary!
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Take a Psychopathy Test to determine if you are, in fact, a psychopath!
If you pass, the good news is that you’re basically guaranteed a successful career in politics!
The bad news?
You’re a psychopath!
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What say you about society’s need for psychopaths?
Are you a psychopath?
If so, enlighten us with your psychopathic view about your place in society!
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I’m pretty sure the ratio is much higher than that. It’s a mad mad mad mad mad world!
You know what? I have to agree. I think the ratio is much higher…not counting us, of course.
You’ll be glad to know I’m not a psychopath. I’m sure that was keeping you up nights.
Lol!
Well, I am relieved to hear it!
No way, sister!
Curiosity and fascination, yes, I understand how they can make one close his eyes to psychopathy.
They may be charming, so charming… But we can’t just “weed out psychopathy” — it’s there, it’s dark, and it’s dangerous.
Not “dangerous.” — Dangerous!
And super-dangerous when they’re in high positions of power!
have you read Political Ponerology, Sylver? If not I think you’d like it.
It’s funny you mentioned this, because we just began touching on macrosocial phenomena in my journalism studies. Will be continuing next semester, so this book looks very interesting to me. Thanx for the referral!
I vote to keep the firefighters. The rest will not be missed.
I understand that. What would we do without people willing to run INTO fire for us?
I don’t buy Dutton’s argument. I think the world would be better without them. They do untold damage to loved ones and coworkers and when in positions of power…well think Hitler and Stalin. I recommend Martha Stout’s “Sociopath Next Door.”
I’m with you. I think we’ve have enough psychopaths in positions of power within our own government to prove the havoc they wreak. Thanx for the link to Stout’s book – it looks really intriguing. I downloaded the first chapter for a peek-before-buying. It’s funny, as much as we fear psychopaths, we are just as fascinated by them as well. Go figure!
I doubt that I’m a psychopath because I really don’t give a sh#t!
Lol!!!
Good answer!