Six Percent Psychopaths

[traelin0]

Were people consciously aware something was about to change in a very bad way just before Lenin and Trotsky appeared on the scene in Petrograd in the Spring of 1917 ? Did the German people realize accepting the 'hope' of Hitler would result in something so hideous and evil that tens of millions of people would die and a permanent blood stain would appear on the history of Germany? What was life like months or years before the Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of the Turks, did they know that government imposed gun control was really disarmament before extermination? How about the Chinese before the tyrant Mao,or the North Koreans before the Kim Jung Il family infestation, did these people know what was coming, but didn't know what they could do?

Most of written history is written on pages of blood - peaceful times of happiness, love and the recession of trauma doesn't survive the filter of condensed history.

I think today, right now , is another one of those moments just before something very bad is about to happen. And, this time, we have the proclivity of written historical records for storing bad news to learn potentially lifesaving, culture rescuing information before we slip into the blood and carnage of insanity.

Unlike 110 years ago, the modern science of human personality can provide facts and understanding necessary to prevent calamity from happening again. This time we can get public support for adverting disaster by calling on the science of psychology - especially in the specialty of personality and specifically in the nature of the psychopath.

Read more here.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...sorry, trae, but did you like the article? The 1st paragraphs seem informative, but I'm not sure I want to click the link to read more... that anyone would want to quantify human interaction by cross-referencing brain chemistry and hormones... as if that is the totality of science regarding human personality... and use that to propose strategic defense against future oppressions... well, let's just say I'm not sure I want to bother reading more of that so-called strategy...

[traelin0]

When I got to the part about "false flag 9/11", I lost interest in the article. The historical references were very interesting though.

I did not read more than half of it because the author started throwing unsubstantiated conspiracy bombs. I did find the psychopathology background really neat. So in answer to your question, I do not know what the conclusion of the author was/is because the article fell off a cliff.

[billisonboard]

Jan 17, 2011 13:46:05 GMT -5 @traelin0 said:

When I got to the part about "false flag 9/11", I lost interest in the article. The historical references were very interesting though.

I did not read more than half of it because the author started throwing unsubstantiated conspiracy bombs. I did find the psychopathology background really neat. So in answer to your question, I do not know what the conclusion of the author was/is because the article fell off a cliff.

So if I ever waste my time reading anything you link to again. I stopped giving it much credence at the same point you lost interest in it.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...gotcha... I agree that a "waltz down memory lane" can be invaluable... wish it happened more... one of my favorite chapters of D'Souza was "The Reparations Fallacy" in "What's So Great About America?"... and that when studying history, you go back far enough, and you will find that a chicken/egg debate is a debacle...

[traelin0]

LOL. The quick psychology lesson was, for me, interesting. I also found it intriguing how an article can start out so good and get sidetracked so easily. If nothing else it made me beg the question, "How accurate is one's ability to determine a psychopath when their thought process is presented in such a scattershot manner?"

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...but, bills... at LEAST you CLICKED...

[ronbuck]

Didn't read the link, but does recall to mind a book I read a few months ago titled "the sociopath next door". Pretty sure it was recommended on by someone on the old boards.

Fascinating book. If I recall correctly the author said 4% of the population are anti-social personalities. I got to thinking about how many of thousands of people I have dealt with in business in the last 30 years and was frankly amazed by how many of them must have been in this category. Amazed also at how clueless I was at "reading" them.

For a several weeks afterwords I would wonder, after dealing with a particularly strange customer, what that one of those pesky sociopaths??

The book is a worthwhile read.

[Angel!]

Hilarious:
I submit that the United States government is under the control of psychopaths, and the infestation is nearing completion; the point at which nothing can stop the oncoming violence. But that's not all, above the federal government is a ruling cartel of off-shore psychopaths that have secretly been planning a one-world-tyranny for more than 100 years. This is not a rant , this is a plea; take time to read the material .

[handyman2]

I can believe 6% sociopath's but 6% psychopaths seem a bit high to me.

[billisonboard]

Can a group of psychopaths work together without turning on each other?

And would they be called a psychopod?

[Deleted]

I could believe the 6% psychopaths part, but I sure hope the thing that the ALL world's leaders are a part of that 6% is not true. GEEZ, that is scary! LOL!!! Yeah-- interesting article. Yes, I read it.

[mmhmm]

Actually, both terms (psychopath AND sociopath) have been replaced by Antisocial Personality Disorder.

[mmhmm]

I'd neither agree, nor disagree, toughtimes. I really don't know enough about psychiatry to discuss the subject intelligently.

[billisonboard]

Jan 18, 2011 19:02:17 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

And honestly, without any disrespect, potato, potahto, let's call the whole thing off. This is a "disorder" that is no disorder at all. Rather, remember that evil is a choice that people can and do make every day.

Brain chemistry. which one has no control over, has a serious impact on behavior.

[Deleted]

I married a psychopath. Over the years he became a sociopath. I guess now he is just an anti-social personality?? Whatever-- he is now, just as he was 23 years ago-- an asshole. Evil exists. Anyone read "The Psychopath Among Us?" My Mom gave it to me. It was then I recognized him for what he was..is.. and that I am not CRAZY, as he loved to say...
Yeah-- I can believe they are in gov't now. Cool as cucumbers.... they can look you right in the eye and lie without flinching. Scary stuff.

[marjar]

Jan 18, 2011 18:59:04 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Actually, both terms (psychopath AND sociopath) have been replaced by Antisocial Personality Disorder.

I always thought a sociopath was less inclined toward physical violence, while a psychopath was more inclined toward physical harm to others.

[marjar]

Jan 18, 2011 18:45:43 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

Psychopaths and sociopaths are exactly the same thing, so if it's 6% one, it's 6% the other. Psychopath is the older terminology. If you read, "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout, the figure will not seem so shocking as she includes a large number of what were once known as wicked people, and evil has never been lacking.

One can be sociopathic without being an ax murderer.

Interesting read.

[safeharbor37]

The thing to remember in considering "psychopaths" is that it is not what they do, or don't do or even what they feel driven to do, but it is the absence of conscience [in the traditional sense] which allows them to do anything which pleases them without psychological complications.
Psychopaths aren't usually identified and most function in society at a higher level than non-psychopaths. Those who are diagnosed as anti-social personality disorder are usually diagnosed only after conflicts with authority figures. Successful psychopaths manipulate rather than confront, although confrontation may be in their arsenal.
Sociopath is a term which attempts to blame society for anti-social behavior whereas psychopath is more fundamental. The consensus is [used to be] that a psychopath was the result of conflicting or perverse social training during the critical period when the superego was developing. [reward and punishment not related to good or bad behavior].
I've found a convenient way to determine psychopathy. First, realize that it is a matter of degree and all people have some psychopathic traits. Second, do not challenge the morality, etc. of the decisions of the person you're observing [they must trust you and not feel threatened]. Then simply observe whether they have any real empathy for those with whom they deal. You'll be surprised at how many you'll identify. ~ Psychopaths tend to be above average in intelligence, personable and very convincing. One important caveat; do not ever let them gain leverage on you ~ they will use it, usually at the most inconvenient time for you ~ and, if they destroy you, they have no regrets at all, but consider you simply an interesting [or boring] experience.
Remember; most psychopaths live perfectly normal lives. They are natural leaders, having no conscience and therefore no regrets for whatever they have to do to get what they want. The old joke about two men being chased by a bear, one saying to the other, "I only have to be faster than you." is a classic example of psychopathic behavior [thought].
I took study of Psychopaths as a hobby over fifty years ago and things have, obviously, changed, but the lessons remain. Approach with care or even, "Don't attempt this at home!" ~ but you are dealing with psychopaths daily now. Another thing, they don't need other psychopaths [they tend to destroy others when they are in too close proximity] but "useful idiots." Be sure you don't become one of those.

[Deleted]

Accurate assessment of the one I married, safe. Scary people for the reasons you mentioned-- they have no concept or care of how the things they do affect the people around them, like in a family, spouse, children, etc..... To govern over large groups of people?? Yes, I can surely see it happening, as they are smooth as silk, and, yes, very intelligent and well spoken. Something about them can make you feel humbled.
Well, not me, not any more. Sad for me that I no longer trust smooth operators when they say "trust me". Very good for me that I hope I have learned my lesson about those kind of people.
Hey, kids, unless you ever knew one closely-- you have NO idea how slick they are. Mind boggling.

[floridayankee]

Jan 18, 2011 18:59:04 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Actually, both terms (psychopath AND sociopath) have been replaced by Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Oh, good lord....this politically correct crap is too much.

Why sugar coat it? They're

[Deleted]

Unlike 110 years ago, the modern science of human personality can provide facts and understanding necessary to prevent calamity from happening again.

I don't think that area of medical treatment as progressed to the point that I would call it science. From what I know about it, it's subject to huge interpretation by individuals who are wrong as much as they are right.

[mmhmm]

Those afflicted with anti-social personality disorder are not "crazy", floridayankee. Far from it. They know exactly what they're doing and they're damned good at it, usually. They don't meet the criteria to be considered insane. They're sane. They just lack a conscience, among other things.