|
Glibness/Superficial
Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince
their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence,
they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive,
they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or
emotionally.
Manipulative
and Conning
They never recognize
the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible.
They may appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and
domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used.
They dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose
Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things
as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be
the center of attention with their own fantasies as the
"spokesman for God," "enlightened,"
"leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them
mentality
Pathological
Lying
Has no
problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them
to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up
in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities.
Lack of
Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage,
which is split off and repressed, is at thier core. Does not see others
around her as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead
of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims.
The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their
way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what
seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than
experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant
matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal
person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
While they talks about
"love" they is unable to give or receive it. Very
harsh in testing it from their clients and expects them to feel guilt
for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge,
yet testing the gullibility of their "clientele" with
bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and
physical punishments are normal.
Callousness/Lack of
Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others'
feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their
skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the clientele
cannot believe their government would callously hurt them, they
rationalize her behavior as necessary for their own "good"
and ignore the abuse. When the client become aware of the exploitation
it feels like a "rape" to them.
Poor Behavioral
Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and
approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as
creating hopelessness in the victim. Believes they are all-powerful,
all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries,
no concern for their impact on others. They see themselves as near perfect.
Early Behavior
Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history
of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by
conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant
behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerning about
wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the
devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame
their clients or others of their family. Blame reinforces passivity
and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the
clients.
Promiscuous Sexual
Behavior/Infidelity
They may frequently
practice promiscuity, homosexuality, child sexual abuse, rape and
sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all
but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their clients, such
as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents,
rules for dating, etc.
Lack of Realistic Life
Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around
a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Great
contrast between the government employee's lifestyle and the client's
impoverishment. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.
Criminal or
Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image
and that of the agency as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase
income and to recruit a range of supporters. Is able to adapt or
relocate as needed to preserve the agency. Always "on
vacation" or "retired" after pulling off a
"high risk" caper with too much public attention. Can
resurface later in a different agency and a new twist on the same old
scam.
Other
Related Qualities:
-
Contemptuous
of those who seek to understand them
-
Does not
perceive that anything is wrong with them
-
Authoritarian
-
Secretive
-
Paranoid
-
Only rarely
in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their
tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
-
Conventional
appearance
-
Goal of
enslavement of their victim(s)
-
Exercises
despotic control over every aspect of their victim's life
-
Has a
psychological need to justify their crimes and therefore needs
their
agency's affirmation
-
Ultimate
goal is the creation of a willing victim
-
Incapable of
real human attachment to another
-
Unable to
feel remorse or guilt
-
Extreme
narcissism and grandiose
-
May state
readily that their goal is to rule the world
The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare. In the 1830's this disorder was called
"moral insanity." By 1900 it was changed to
"psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed
"antisocial personality disorder." Order:
Without Conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us by Robert D.
Hare.
|