Norm links to a long post by Counago & Spaves on the subject of sociopaths, and how to recognise and deal with them.
Here’s Stout’s description early on in the text of the archetypal sociopath (the terms sociopath and psychopath are used interchangeably by researchers in this field):
He or she is more spontaneous, or more intense, or somehow more “complex” or sexier, or more entertaining than everyone else. Sometimes this “sociopathic charisma” is accompanied by a grandiose sense of self-worth . . .
In addition, sociopaths have a greater than normal need for stimulation, which results in their taking frequent social, physical, financial, or legal risks. Characteristically, they can charm others into attempting dangerous ventures with them, and as a group they are known for their pathological lying and conning, and their parasitic relationships with “friends.”
Stout continues
. . . sociopaths are noted especially for their shallowness of emotion, the hollow and transient nature of any affectionate feelings they may claim to have, a certain breathtaking callousness. They have no trace of empathy and no genuine interest in bonding emotionally with a mate. Once the surface charm is scraped off, their marriages are loveless, one-sided and almost always short-term. If a marriage partner has any value to the sociopath, it is because the partner is viewed as a possession, one that the sociopath may feel angry to lose, but never sad or accountable.
As soon as I read this, I immediately thought “Jeffrey Archer”. He’s almost a textbook case.
There are further sociological considerations that require exploration, however, touched on by both Stout and Hare but largely outside the scope of their work: the way that contemporary capitalism actively encourages sociopathic behaviour through an ethos that glorifies nonconformism, as well as the danger posed to the majority of people in any hierarchically structured society when sociopaths occupy dominant positions.
I’ve heard this plenty of times before, how the structure of many corporations rewards sociopathic behaviour, and results in Kenneth Lays and Robert Maxwells.
Then of course, there’s the political ideology that’s explicitly sociopathic in nature.
Read the whole thing.
Thanks again for the link to that essay. I get more email about it than almost anything else on my site!
Is there any cure or medication that helps this sociopathic condition?
When I read this article, I immediately thought of someone I know. She has an air of grandiose (in her mind only I might add) and is a pathological liar. She only makes friends with people she can control, if she comes across anyone with an ounce of gumption she’s out of her depth and will tell lies about that person, especially if there’s some kind of friction between them. Almost like “Hyathinth Bucket” but without the finesse.
Hey; I have been doing some research on the disorder for a school paper.
ASD is related to adhd and it effects the same area of the brains, frontal lobes and precortex region. It is explains their reckless behavior, limitless energy/drive and their impulse problems. Often if adhd is untreated, the person is subjected to a broken home or treated different for his disorder will become a conduct disorder as a teen and then will sadly they will become a sociopath. My estimate of a cure would be adhd medication which would help them conrol their impulses and perhaps be more self-ware of themselves.
However I highly doubt it would be effective unless more powerful medication existed because once a sociopath reaches his full capabilities he will have no incentive whatsoever to give it up. In a sense sociopaths are the idealized form of what we all want to be, charismatic, funny, popular and powerful.
I think the only hope is to prevent a child with the early signs of antisocial behavior by being understanding of the uniqueness and most importantly instilling in him a sense of moral values and belonging.
I dated a female sociopath for two years. The delusions of grandeur are far superior to any Stephen King novel. No one can devise the fantasy world of a sociopath. You can read about Kim on our site.