Psychopaths make the perfect politicians!

[edward777]

I wonder, is the speaker correct in that you will find psychopaths represented in politics more than the general population:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MZCHjGkTPg]YouTube - ‪Michael (author of Freedom from Conscience - Melanie's Journey) about psychopaths part 1‬‏[/ame]

And if it is true then is it that the political culture is psychopathic so people just adapt to the environment, or is it that psychopaths are drawn to power and have the traits necessary to get elected?

 

[editec]

Being a functional sociopath seems to be a real psychological benefit if you're in business, too.

 

[Big Black Dog]

This OP is nuts...

 

[editec]

This OP is nuts...

Truth often does seem stanger than fiction, I agree.

 

[Douger]

They also make great cops and cannon fodder.

 

[edward777]

Why should it feel strange that certain psychological conditions are advantages to particular professions? A person with schizotypal personality is going to have an advantage as a writer or artist, a person with the so-called condition of ADHD will have energy and drive and a person with psychopathic personality has an advantage in regards to seeking to attain what they want at all cost. Check the video and the traits discussed and then look up Hare's checklist of psychopathy.

 

[edward777]

The twenty traits assessed by the PCL-R score are:

glib and superficial charm
grandiose (exaggeratedly high) estimation of self
need for stimulation
pathological lying
cunning and manipulativeness
lack of remorse or guilt
shallow affect (superficial emotional responsiveness)
callousness and lack of empathy
parasitic lifestyle
poor behavioral controls
sexual promiscuity
early behavior problems
lack of realistic long-term goals
impulsivity
irresponsibility
failure to accept responsibility for own actions
many short-term marital relationships
juvenile delinquency
revocation of conditional release
criminal versatility


Read more: Hare Psychopathy Checklist - define, person, people, used, personality, score, traits, Definition, Purpose Hare Psychopathy Checklist - define, person, people, used, personality, score, traits, Definition, Purpose

Hare Psychopathy Checklist - define, person, people, used, personality, score, traits, Definition, Purpose

While some of the traits might be obstacles for the power seeker, others are assets and with someone to enable the person to organize themselves protect themselves from their own weaknesses) then the sky is the limit.

 

[Iridescence]

Some of the sexiest men in all of 'history' have been considered psychopathic by mainstream.

Like Hannibal the Cannibal.....

 

[Flagwavrusa]

I wonder, is the speaker correct in that you will find psychopaths represented in politics more than the general population:

YouTube - ‪Michael (author of Freedom from Conscience - Melanie's Journey) about psychopaths part 1‬‏

And if it is true then is it that the political culture is psychopathic so people just adapt to the environment, or is it that psychopaths are drawn to power and have the traits necessary to get elected?

Eventually they trip themselves up. Just ask Anthony Weiner or Rod Blagojevich.

 

[edward777]

Some of the sexiest men in all of 'history' have been considered psychopathic by mainstream.

Like Hannibal the Cannibal.....

Or James Bond who is also a psychopathic character.

And yes, they often trip themselves up -- that is why an ever-vigilant spouse or team of advisers are necessary to keep them on track.

 

[Toro]

A study a few years ago concluded that sociopaths invest better than normal people. That's because the part of the brain which processes empathy is missing in sociopaths. Most people do poorly investing because that part of the brain which feels pain causes people to sell at the wrong time. Sociopaths don't have this, or have it less. Thus, they are less likely to make the "wrong" decision that most people make when feeling pain.

 

[edward777]

A study a few years ago concluded that sociopaths invest better than normal people. That's because the part of the brain which processes empathy is missing in sociopaths. Most people do poorly investing because that part of the brain which feels pain causes people to sell at the wrong time. Sociopaths don't have this, or have it less. Thus, they are less likely to make the "wrong" decision that most people make when feeling pain.

In fairness I have read that the percentage of emergency room doctors is high for psychopaths. Perhaps feeling too much empathy in a life or death situation might handicap a doctor. Also, a psychopath doctor motivated by having a very good survival rate for patients may be the kind of doctor a person might prefer.

Is it also true that a lack of empathy may allow for a psychopath to be better able at predicting trends since they don't let emotions clod over their predictions? That seems to fit the idea that they are better investors.

 

[edward777]

I was listening to a radio talk show where the commentator said that a victim of a serial killer was 11 times more likely to have been killed by someone with a medical degree than any other profession. Anyone know if that is true?

Of course, that would not count victims of psychopaths who get bombed so the psychopath can acquire votes and popularity at home.

 

[Iridescence]

It seems to be bordering conspiracy theories now....

 

[editec]

I wonder, is the speaker correct in that you will find psychopaths represented in politics more than the general population:

YouTube - ‪Michael (author of Freedom from Conscience - Melanie's Journey) about psychopaths part 1‬‏

And if it is true then is it that the political culture is psychopathic so people just adapt to the environment, or is it that psychopaths are drawn to power and have the traits necessary to get elected?

Some psychopathic personalities DO HAVE the traits necessary to do very well.

They will do whatever it takes and they have no moral governors to check them from doing it, either.

Personally I've long thought that most of the world is basically run by highly functional sociopathic personalities.