PUBLIC LECTURE

NAME: ESTACIO, ANGELICA TEAM: PSYCHSUBISHI

DATE PASSED: MAY 02, 2016 DATE DISCUSSED: MAY 07, 2016
ACTIVITY: CLASS SEMINARS AND COLLOQUIA

UNMASKING THE PSYCHOPATH

The Dark Side of Psyche

CHAPTER 1

I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

“They look like us, talk like us, they live among us. How do you tell a man from a

monster before it is too late?” (Crime Investigation Network, 2016).

Psychopastiche (German) which means “the suffering soul” (Huges,

2007) has long captured the fascination of film makers and producers in

Hollywood. Often times they are the subject of movies and Crime Investigation

television shows/drama series. Take for example the characters of Dexter,

Hannibal, and Sherlock Holmes whose roles reflect the characteristics of a

psychopath (Silbermann, 2016).

But as much as the movie industry is celebrating these serial killers, its

influence is otherwise for our law/legal enforcers and psychologists. These

professionals have spent their entire career studying the condition (The

Psychopath Next Door, 2014). It is because they strongly believe that all

psychopaths have a huge impact in our society whether one is a serial killer or

an average-joe (Hare, 2015).

On an average, psychopaths only compromise 1 percent of the general

population and up to 25 percent of the prison population (Choi, 2009).

Moreover,
the condition is more prevalent in males than their female counterparts.

Psychopathy rates for violent offenders are only 11.0% for women and 31.0%

for men (Philipps, 2012). Moreover, psychopaths are also more criminally active

in the course of their lives (Hare, 1991; Hare, Strachan, & Forth, 1993). And

they are generally more violent than non-psychopaths. In effect, 97% of

psychopaths versus 74% of non-psychopaths are receiving at least one

conviction for violent crime (Hare, 1981).

Given the amount of statistics that has been gathered, it is safe to say

that psychopaths have always been a part of the human history and the society

at large (Hervey, 1976). Moreover, Hare (2015) also asserts that the most

important characteristic of a psychopath is that one is a master of masking

themselves in the normalcy. In other words, they easily blend in with the rest

of the society. Hence, they can easily manipulate and control people because

they have the freedom to be one of us. Consequently, psychopathy does not

have exemption in race, culture, and stations (Kiel & Hoffman, 2011). Hence,

the extent of the studies leads to the question; Who is a psychopath in our

society”.

Over-all, a psychopath is defined as one of the antisocial personality

disorders (Axis II) in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders V). A personality disorder is defined as a reoccurring pattern of inner

experience and behavior that deviates from the cultural norms. These

deviations may be in the form of thoughts, emotionality, interpersonal

relatedness, and impulse control (Defife, 2010).

Furthermore, a renowned psychologist in the community Robert D. Hare

has mastered his vocation in psychopathy that he developed a test called Hare
Psychopathy Checklist (PCL Revised). Even in the present times, his test

is still being used in respected investigatory and scholarly offices in assessing a

psychopath (CJ et al., 2013).

Specifically, the checklist describes that a psychopath is someone who is

uncaring in a way that one is callous enough to show lack of empathy that

even the Psychopathic Personality Inventory describes it as “coldheartedness”.

They have an inability to feel emotions deeply even one’s reaction on disgust

(Blair et al., 2004).

Moreover, they also demonstrate a lack of emotion, especially social

emotions, such as remorse, shame, guilt, and embarrassment (Birbaumer et

al., 2012). In other words, they have severe emotional detachments.

Additionally, they are also irresponsible in a way that they resort to “blame

externalization”. Thus, they tend to blame others for their own wrong doings.

More importantly, psychopaths also have a tendency for insincere

speech. It could be in the form of glibness or superficial charm. Psychologists

termed this as pathological lying or shallow sense of words. It could be through

inflating and distorting stories for one’s selfish ends whether it will be for

personal profit or pleasure. Take for example the testimony of a father of a

young woman who was diagnosed with psychopathy; “She can lie with the

straightest face, and after she's found in the most outlandish lies she still

seems perfectly easy in her own mind” (Cleckley, 1941, p. 47). Additionally,

they also display overconfidence by possessing a “grandiose sense of self

worth”. They also have a narrowed attention expressed in impulsivity,

selfishness or pathological egocentricity and the incapacity for love, and

inability to plan for the future or care-freeness (Hirstein, 2013).

However, the most disturbing characteristic of a psychopath is their

predisposition for violence. Consequently, they display a very low tolerance to

frustration and low levels for discharge of aggression.

They are most likely to be irritable, aggressive and manifesting symptoms

of repeated physical fights and assaults (Hirstein, 2013).

Psychopaths can and will behave like predators in an endless mouse and

cat chase. They consider themselves dominant species because the rest of the

population, in their eyes, are all weak (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,

2014). Therefore, this paper will provide two examples of a psychopath to

further measure the extent of damage that one can exemplify. The first is a six

year old female child and one is a full grown male adult.

A documentary on Beth Thomas, the Child of Rage, in 1989 focuses on a

child with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). This is a result of sexual abuse

by her biological father. Upon watching the film (HBO, 1989), Beth easily

displays psychopathic thoughts and behavior. It is very alarming that at such

young age, she started hurting animals; specifically, squeezing birds to death.

Moreover, she has also repeatedly hurt her foster brother Jonathan. She

narrates that she profusely banged his head on a cement wall until he was

already bleeding. She also expressed that she had no plans on stopping until

she kills his brother. Furthermore, during the interview with the psychologist,

Beth keeps on reiterating that she wants to kill her foster parents and brother

and has attempted to do so many times. And she utters these without any hint

of emotion nor remorse or disgust, just a flat-line of events. Nevertheless, her

foster parents surrendered her to a clinic with a controlled environment.

Hence, through extensive therapy, she has been making progress ever since.
She is now living a normal life and is currently a registered nurse at a

hospital in Flagstaff (Oddity World News, 2014).

Another interesting profile is the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. He

was a kidnapper, rapist, and a necrophile confessing to have killed 36 young

women. But investigators believed that he had committed100 or more crimes.

At a young age, Ted showed interest in knives and animal cruelty. During

his adolescent year, he was later reported to be a voyeur and had an obsession

with masturbating (Liam, 2015).

Ironically, he graduated with a degree in psychology at the University of

Washington. He even got accepted in the Utah’s College of Law. This is a classic

example of “masking” that was stated earlier on this paper. He was also

described to be intelligent, charming, and cunning. And sources asserts that he

uses these techniques to lure women and eventually abduct, rape, and beat

them to death. Later on, he would also have sexual intercourse with their

corpse (Biography Editors, 2016). Furthermore, law enforcers are also puzzled

by a number of love letter, fan mails, and marriage proposals that Ted Bundy is

receiving while he is being tried in court. This just shows how Ted has the

charm to control and manipulate young women. Finally, Ted was electrocuted

through his death sentence last January 24, 1989 (Liam, 2015).

Consequently, the main objective of this lecture/paper is to raise

awareness on certain individuals that has psychopathic tendencies. Based

from the statements above, they are considered as a small number in the

population, yet they are the most dangerous individuals in our society. They

are capable of committing horrendous crimes and they have no remorse about

their action. There is a need for proper identification because they could just be

our friends, neighbors, family members, and even co-workers. Hence, having a
knowledge of psychopathy, might prevent such criminal acts to innocent

people especially young women who are often portrayed as their prey.

Moreover, the public lecture also aims to discuss the possible work

opportunities for psychology students. One of which is aiding therapy in

rehabilitation centers and even prison wards. Finally, this also aims to inspire

psychology graduates to be involved in doing Research about these kind of

conditions. There is a possibility that one of the audience might be inspired

and in turn contribute on the therapy or the early treatment and diagnosis of

psychopathy.

II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Psychoanalysis

In 1928, Sigmund Freud wrote that there are two traits that are crucial

to the expression of a criminal; boundless egoism and a strong destructive

urge. And a common denominator to both traits is the absence of love and

lack of emotional appreciation of human objects (Freud, 1928, p.178). At

present, the definition a psychopath is still in the same twofold manner;

pathological narcissism and cruel aggression. Hence, this part of the paper

will focus on Psychoanalysis and its implications on the history and early

development of a human being. The theory can simply be illustrated as the

building the “house of a psychopath” at an young age through lack of

attachment, underarousal, and minimal anxiety (Meloy, 2007).

A. Theory of Attachment

Attachment in itself is biological in its origin. Concepts such as

species-specific behavioral system seves as the survival of the

infant by maintining closeness with the caretaker. It is mostly

deeply rooted in mammals. Thus, in humans the infant first

expresses one’s object seeking through sucking and crying. This

then translates to the need of mainting the infant’s physiological

balance by obtaining warmth, touch, and food from one’s caretaker

(Robertson and Bowlby, 1952). Thus, attachment can be asserted

as the strong affectional bond in both children and adults.

And it is a healthy characteristic that can be observed

through loving and dependable parents. Hence, feelings of security

or secured attachment is built on the child and adult (Cassidy and

Shaver, 1999).

However, the pathology of attachment can be described as

fearful, preoccupied, disorganized, and dismissive (Meloy, 2002).

Thus, psychopathy can also be characterized by chronic emotional

detachment from others. Furthermore, elements of detachment can

be obsevered through maladaptive behaviors such as apathy, self-

absorption, preoccupation with nonhuman objects, and lack of

expression in emotion (Bowlby, 1969). In relation to

psychoanalysis, the data gathered by Bowlby (1944) through

juvenile thieves, asserts that affectionless psychopathy was caused

by constant maternal rejection. The study was then reinforced

by the study of Bender (1947) through the children in Bellevue

hospital. He maintains that emotional deprivation during infancy

is one of the casual factors of psychopathic behavior disorders in

children.
Additionally, an investagion by Raine, Brennan, and

Mednick (1997) in a large group of Danish adult males states that

there is a strong correlation between birth complications and

maternal rejection during the first year of life with early onsets of

patterns of violent behavior. Finally, another study by Gacono and

Meloy (1994) using multiple samples of antisocial children,

adolescents, and adults showed that the Rorschach measure of

attachment was less frequent than in normal samples.

B. Theory of Underarousal

The second trait of a psychopath is the prevalent autonomic

underarousal especially with punishment. This phenomenon was

illustrated with Hare (1970) early work which demonstrated

peripheral autonomic hyporeactivity to unfavorable events. The

observable measures utilized in these experiments are skin

conductance or galvanic skin response. His works has been replicated

world-wide; more importantly, his findings has stimulated the most

intruiguing body of work which asserted that habitual criminals are

“chronically cortically underaroused” (Raine, 1993).

Biologically, symptoms of underarousal includes three variables

wave (theta) EEG activity, low resting heart rate, and poor skin

conductance. All of which has appeared to have a predictive power for

patterned violent criminality that can prevail the influence of the

environment (Winnicott, 1965).

Low levels of cortical arousal has also been observed and

studied with children and adolescents who display “callous-

unemotional” traits. The study represents one-third of children who

are diagnosed with childhood onset conduct disorder (Frick, Cornell,

Barry, Bodin and Dane, 2003). Moreover such children who exhibits

thrill-seeking and fearlessness, show deficits in responding to negative

stimuli (Frick et al., 2003), adjust more easily to distress in others,

and demonstrate lower autonomic reactivity to negative emotional

stimuli (Blair, 1999). Thus, the unique temperamental style may

prompt psychopathy in adulthood; however, the correlation theory

needs to be proven (Viding, Blair, Moffitt and Plomin, 2004).

Finally, extending their work on the relationship between chronic

cortical underarousal and aggression, Rine and his colleagues have

published series of long-term researches of a large group of children

born on Mauritius. And decades have passed and their study still

continues to support the power of biological variables to predict

aggression despite other potentially mediating social and

environmental factors (Raine et al. , 1993 ; 1997 ; 1998)

C. Theory of Minimal Anxiety

Anxiety is definied as the unpleasant feeling that signals the brain

and the body that danger is forthcoming from within or without

(Freud, 1926). During a child’s dvelopment, anxiety materializes

through safety and survival. For an instance, an infant sees a

stranger’s face for the first time and the child will react with rapt

attention and curiosity, especially while one held in the arms of her

parent. And if the child is handed too quickly to the stranger, the

child will demonstrate signs of stress. Hence, Bowlby argues that

anxiety has its evolutionary basis. And that aversive situations such
as the appearance of a stranger, actual separation of the child to

the mother/caretaker, and the anticipation of loss– keeps the

mother/caretaker in close proximity to the child. Hence the child has

feelings of safety and security as the child feels protected from

predators.

More importantly, according to Lykken (1957), anxiety is minimal

or absent in psychopathy. He first discovered this occurence when he

tried to differentiate secondary (anxious) and primary (nonanxious)

psychopaths. Other studies and researchers also reinforced this

assertion. First is Blackburn (1998) who delimited anxious, moody,

withdrawn psychopath and the hostile, extraverted, and low anxiety

psychopath. Second are studies conducted by Gacono, Meloy, Ogloff,

and Wong (1990). Their research most notably are conducted in

disordered children, and that there is a strong negative relationship

between “callous-unemotional” traits and anxiety (Frick, Lilienfeld,

Ellis, Loney and Silverthorn, 1999).

In conclusion, chronic emotional detachment, cortical underarousal, and

minimal anxiety serves as the biological core/foundation of the “house of

psychopath.” Hence, these characteristics manifest in adult psychopathy as a

“fearless and sensation-seeking lifestyle” and is most likely described as one

that is unregulated by either empathy or sympathy (Meloy, 2007).

CHAPTER III

I. DISCUSSION

Top 3 Famous Psychopaths

1. Ted Bundy (November 24, 1946 – January 24, 1989)

Bundy’s name is already synanimous with

the term psychopath. He is a good-looking man

with an attractive and often times manipulative

personality. Law enforncement found out that he

had at least 30 women by the time he was finally

executed at 43 years of age. Ted began his killing

spree of young women immediately after he broke

up with his girlfriend. Most of these women

shared one thing in common: they resembled his ex-girlfriend in one way or

another. Ted, too, was a necrophile who abused the bodies of his victims until

they began to rot (Lucas, 2015).

2. Jeffrey Dahmer (May 21, 1960 – November 20, 1994)

Jeffrey Dahmer’s house has been a graveyard

full of several human skulls and corpses when the

police arrested him. In total, he captured and killed

15 young men, some of whom he would rape and

then store in containers filled with acid. Moreover,

he also practiced cannibalism and would eat the

flesh and organs of his victims. Ironically, the jury

decided to that he was cleared as being sane and

was found guilty of 15 murders. He was consequently sentenced to life

imprisonment (Lucas, 2015).

3. Beth Thomas

Beth was a victim of childhood sexual abuse with her sadistic

father. Her brother, Jonathan, was also

neglected when their mother died and were

both left with thir biological father.

Consequently, both were adopted by a

loving parents. However, Beth started

showing signs of emotional detachment

during her early childhood. She started

having nightmares such as the “man who was falling on her and

hurting her with a part of himself.” But the worse casenario of all is

that she started inflicting pain on herself and on her brother. And that

there are times that their wounds would require hospitalization. Luckily,

Beth was able to recover through extensive and rigorous therapy and

with the help of her foster family. She is now living a normal life as a

nurse (Children of Rage – Beth Thomas and Mary Flora Bell, 2010).
Profile of a Psychopath

Moving on to the discussion, given below is a list of the common

characteristics of a psychopath from the revised The Hare Psychopathy

Checklist. It is a psychological assessment tool used to assess the presence

of psychopathy in individuals. It consist of a 20-item inventory of different

perceived personality traits and recorded behaviors. This is a product of

extensive research, data gathering, and tests. And all of which are being

widely recognized by the different psychological schools (Hare, 2003). This

will be used in the discussion so that the class may clearly visualize the

characteristics of a psychopath.

1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM — The tendency to be smooth, engaging,

charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least

shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets

tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about

taking turns in talking, for example.

2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH — A grossly inflated view of one’s abilities

and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are

arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.

3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM — An

excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances

and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have low self-discipline in

carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail

to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks

that they consider dull or routine.

4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING — Can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they

will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be

deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and

dishonest.

5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS — The use of deceit and deception to

cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in

the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as

reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one’s victims.

6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT — A lack of feelings or concern for the

losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned,

dispassionate, cold-hearted, and non-empathic. This item is usually

demonstrated by a disdain for one’s victims.

7. SHALLOW AFFECT — Emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of

feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY — A lack of feelings toward people

in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE — An intentional, manipulative, selfish, and

exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of

motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete

responsibilities.

10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS — Expressions of irritability, annoyance,

impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of

anger and temper; acting hastily.

11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR — A variety of brief, superficial

relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual

partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a

history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking

great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS — A variety of behaviors prior to age 13,

including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-

setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.

13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS — An inability or persistent

failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic

existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

14. IMPULSIVITY — The occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and

lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and

urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences;

foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

15. IRRESPONSIBILITY — Repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and

commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing

sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual

agreements.

16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS — A failure

to accept responsibility for one’s actions reflected in low conscientiousness,

an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of

responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS — A lack of commitment

to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and

unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY — Behavior problems between the ages of 13-

18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of

antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless

tough-mindedness.

19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE — A revocation of probation or

other conditional releases due to technical violations, such as carelessness,

low deliberation, or failing to appear.

20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY — A diversity of types of criminal offenses,

regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great

pride at getting away with crimes.The word psychopath can be replaced with

the word sociopath throughout this page. The meaning is very similar, if not

the same.

(The Socio Pathic Style, 2016)

Psychopathy in DSM V (Antisocial Personality Disorder)

Psychopathy belongs to the category of personality disorders. Specifically

it is coined as the APD (Antisocial Personality Disorder) in a DSM-5

(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition). By

definition this is a diagnosis assigned to individuals who habitually violate the

rights of others without the feelings of guilt, conscisnce, or remorse (American

Psychiatric Association, 2013).

People with Antisocial Personality Disorder may be habitual criminals,

or and would display in behavior which would be proof for criminal arrest and

prosecution. People suffering from APD may also engage in behaviors which

bends the edges of law, or manipulate and hurt others in an unethical,

immoral, irresponsible, manner. This may also mean violation of social norms

and expectations.

On the other hand, it is to be cleared that the layman’s term “antisocial”

is an individual who is a loner or socially isolated. However, the clinical

definition of antisocial is “to be against society; against rules, norms, laws and

acceptable behavior”.

Symptoms & Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder

According to the DSM-5, there are four diagnostic criterion, of which

Criterion A has seven sub-features.

A. Disregard for and violation of others rights since age 15, as indicated

by one of the seven sub features:

1. Failure to obey laws and norms by engaging in behavior which results

in criminal arrest, or would warrant criminal arrest

2. Lying, deception, and manipulation, for profit tor self-amusement,

3. Impulsive behavior
4. Irritability and aggression, manifested as frequently assaults others, or

engages in fighting

5. Blatantly disregards safety of self and others,

6. A pattern of irresponsibility and

7. Lack of remorse for actions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Other diagnostic Criterion includes…

B. The person is at least age 18,

C. Conduct disorder was present by history before age 15

D. and the antisocial behavior does not occur in the context of

schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (American Psychiatric Association,
2013)

Onset

The DSM-5 emphasizes that Antisocial Personality Disorder cannot be

diagnosed earlier than the age of 18. Hence, when an adolescent displays

antisocial behavior before the said age, the appropriate diagnosis would be

would be Conduct Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Risk Factors

A. Biological/Genetic: The DSM-5 indicates that risk factors for

Antisocial Personality Disorder are having a first degree biological relative

with APD, and being a male, (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Furthermore, it was also noted that physiological and anatomical

discrepancies observed in in the frontal /parietal areas, as well as the

cerebellum, may account for the chronic low arousal, high impulsivity,

lack of conscience, callousness, and decision-making problems

commonly seen in individuals with APD (Tang, Jiang, Liao, Wang, & Luo,

2013).

B. Environmental: Other factors such as internalizing messages

from antisocial peers or parents are at work in Antisocial Personality

Disorder.

Comorbidity
The DSM-5 denotes that Antisocial Personality Disorder is a possible

comorbid with substance abuse disorder, and other personality disorders

(American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Treatment of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Individuals with APD may have to be contained by the criminal justice

system, through some combination of incapacitation (incarceration) or

supervision and monitoring (parole, probation, or house arrest, or informal

monitoring by local law enforcement to contain their harmful behaviors to

others to the greatest extent possible (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Specifically, a specialized form of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) called

CSC (Cognitive Self Change) based on Samenow and Yochelson's seminal is

working with offenders. It seems to be one of the only methods which has

proven an even marginal success at modifying the behavior of violent offenders,

both antisocial and otherwise (Barbour, 2013; Powell, & Sadler, n.d. ).

Impact on Functioning
According to the DSM-5, persons with APD may face imprisonment as a

result of their criminal actions, early death from violence or accidents, or loss

of assets or property from reckless and impulsive spending or civil forfeiture of

assets (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Divorce, separation, unemployment, financial dependency on state relief

sources, homelessness, anxiety, depression, and suicide rates are all

prominent in individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder when compared

to the general norm of the population (Goldstein, Dawson, Smith, & Grant,

2012). Antisocials also has great possibility to harm their society, including

family, associates, neighbors, and complete strangers, through financial

exploitation, theft, emotional abuse, assault, sexual assault, and homicide.

Differential Diagnosis

The clinician should always consider disorders such as schizophrenia

and bipolar disorder, as well as substance abuse disorders as diagnostic rule-

outs. In the end, even very violent offenders may or may not be sociopaths, but

sociopathy may be regarded on a range, rather than a dichotomy of present or

absent (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Psychopath at workplace

It was believed that some psychopaths operate in mainstream society.

And previous studies suggests between the elements of these almost

psychopaths and character traits connected with success in business. In other

words, almost (successful) psychopaths who thrive in the corporate world are

proficient and consistent manipulators and influencers who are less

succeptible to overt rule and law breaking than true psychopaths.

More specifically, almost psychopaths seem to have “particular

proficiency for seeking out and developing relationships with people of high

authority and influencing them.”

In 2005, two psychologists at the University of Surrey, England,

published their research; Comparison between the personality profiles of high-

level British executives ("senior business managers") with randomly selected

psychiatric patients and criminal psychiatric patients at Broadmoor Special

Hospital, a high-security hospital in the United Kingdom and home to some of

Britain's most notorious criminals.

The test that was administered is Minnesota Multiphasic Personality

Inventory scales for DSM-III Personality Disorders (MMPI-PD), a true/false self-

report inventory in which the respondent is asked to regard statements which

reflects eleven different personality disorders: histrionic, narcissistic,

antisocial, borderline, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, passive-aggressive,

paranoid, schizotypal, schizoid, and avoidant.

Consequently, the results showed that three out of the eleven

personality disorders were more common in the senior business managers

than in the criminal psychiatric patients. These were histrionic personality

disorder (superficial charm, insincerity, manipulation), narcissistic personality

disorder (grandiosity, lack of empathy), and obsessive-compulsive personality

disorder (perfectionism, excessive devotion to work, rigidity, dictatorial

tendencies) scales. On the other hand, criminal psychiatric patients outscored

the senior business managers on the other eight personality disorders tested

for (antisocial, borderline, dependent, passive-aggressive, paranoid,

schizotypal, schizoid, and avoidant), the criminal psychiatric patients

outscored the senior business managers. Conversely, the senior business

managers has less tendancy to express physical aggression, impulsivity, and

antisocial and paranoid tendencies.

Those who have only some of the characteristic traits of a psychopath

and are only almost psychopaths may have just display minimal psychopathic

characteristics. Hence, one may only have what it takes to charm their way

into jobs and the conniving, ruthless, and narcissistic personas necessary to

climb their way to the top of the business good chain-- even if it means

stepping on others to get there.

More importantly, these high-performing executives are not likely to be

serial killers or rapists. Instead, they possess psychopathic behaviors that

stimulates their drive to rise in the organization. However, they might consider

their workmates as prey who fall into their pit and are likely to think of them

as backstabbers or bullies, while others may admire them for having what it

takes to succeed in a dog-eat-dog/cutthroat world.

(Ronson, 2011)

( Schouten & Silver, 2012)

IV. Dealing with Psychopaths in the Workplace

1. Do not take their behavior personally

Psychopaths behave the way they do because they lack the ability to be

reasonable and rational. So, remember, when they are shouting at you,

manipulating or upsetting you, it has got nothing to do with ‘you’. When you

realise they would be doing this to whoever happened to be in front of them at

the time, it will help you to remain emotionally detached and it will be less

upsetting.
2. Build your resilience.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations. It means

being flexible and adaptable to change and uncomfortable circumstances. The

more often you can set yourself little challenges which cause you to move

outside of your comfort zone, the better. This will mean that you will become

desensitised to being outside of your comfort zone, so when a psychopathic

boss throws a challenge at you, you will be used to feeling out of your normal

comfort zone and you’ll be able to adapt and respond quickly.

3. Ask them to be specific with their examples

Psychopaths manipulate, lie and change their story a lot. So when they say

"You don't have a clue what you’re doing" or "You’re an idiot" ask them to give

a specific example of what they mean or an example of how they would prefer

you to act.

4. Let psychopaths focus on facts (which they find difficult to do)

Communicating with psychopaths in this way causes them to attempt to

become rational… and you will have peace of mind, knowing that you behaved

in a reasonable way toward someone who has psychological and emotional

challenges.

(Austin-Talbot, 2015)
II. Conclusion

Based from all the cases that I have read throughout the process of data

gathering, I noticed that one common denominator of psychopathic criminals is

the experience of neglect and abuse in the early childhood. Even as factors

such as complications during childbirth can have significant effect on the

biological processes of the child. Hence, Psychoanalysis is already proven as an

effective method to probe the history of these kind of mental illnesses. Sigmund

Freud is indeed right that childhood experiences has significant effect into

one’s behavior or personality during childhood. However, extensive therapy,

such as the CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) still needs to be implemented

in the treatment process.

Conseuquently, we always need to inculcate the importance of love in the

family and even to other people. In the end, we would develop stable and

healthy relationship with our family members and the society at large. More

importantly, we can prevent development of maladaptive behaviors that may or

may not develop into destructive personalities.

And as the Holy Bible states; “people reap what they have sown”. Thus,

we can develop a better future by molding children through the instruments of

God; love, care and peace.

II. Implications

In treatment

People have thought that the extent of damage that Beth experience

already made her immuned to therapy. Nevertheless, the earlier the diagnosis

and the treatment, there is a higher chance for people to develop positive

changes on their psychological well-being. Hence, people shouldn’t be too quick

to judge that a person can never change his/her bad ways. In the end, it is in

how we manage and help the difficult people that needs love, care, and

attention the most.

In (future) workplace

It was stated on this paper that most of modern psychopaths lingers at

the corporate world or in short in the workplace. This just means that weak

personalities may easily fall victim to their charming and manipulative

personalities. Consequently, it is not only the job of the weaker organism that

is at stake, but also one’s morale and psychological well being. Hence, it is

important to be knowledgable on the characteristic traits of a modern day

psychopath so that we may protect ourselves from being victims of false

perceptions. In the end, it all starts by being knowledgable then comes after is

the power to protect ourselves from other’s mischievous thoughts and deeds.

Moreover, if we can genuinely try understand them, then maybe we can learn

how to live and work with them in a harmonious way, even if they’re considered

a psychopath!
In the society at large

Psychopaths are masters of masking their true-identity or the traits that

makes them one. Hence, we must always be aware of our decisions and the

acts of other people. Always put into consideration the idea of “rational

thinking”. As they say, psychopaths may outrun the weaker personalities

through their dominant characteristics, but we can always outsmart them by

empowering ourselves.
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