Persistent predatory personalities

[Valcazar]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/aug/27/how-to-spot-a-psychopath-its-like-the-difference-between-a-domestic-cat-and-a-wild-cat

An interesting article about moving beyond Hare's checklist for psychopathy, since it was limited in the sample population to ones in prison.

Dr Mitchell has been studying the high-functioning ones, who appear in lots of other contexts with different names; trying to draw those threads together.

This matters because predatory personalities cause an astronomical amount of harm. We’re bad at recognising them interpersonally, for reasons to be discussed, but we’re also bad at pattern finding in aggregate – mainly because different disciplines have so many different names for these kinds of people. Mitchell lists some of the terms: “Malignant narcissist, dark triad, psychopath, coercive controller, primary psychopath, grandiose narcissist, corporate psychopath, Machiavellian, dark tetrad, covert narcissist, toxic leader.” These are all traits that she argues are part of the same phenomenon, the Dark Personality, or the Persistent Predatory Personality.

Dr Mitchell has clusters of traits that these people display consistently. A template of 20 attributes, divided into four clusters.

• Cluster one includes a need for control; a grandiose sense of self; pathological inner response to challenge; vengefulness; refusal to compromise.
• Cluster two includes being predatory or exploitative; sadistic and cruel; having a low regard for laws, agreements, social and moral codes; no boundaries in sexual relationships; unreasonable expectations of others.
• Cluster three relates to the truth: Dark Personalities cultivate a façade of normality; they are chameleon-like; dishonest; devious and manipulative; and unwilling to accept responsibility for the negative impacts they cause.
• Cluster four is around the Dark Personality’s own interior life: their emotions are acted and they do not experience affinity or the joy that comes with it; they are callous and devoid of empathy; unremorseful; self-interested; and brazen.

 

[xmontrealer]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/aug/27/how-to-spot-a-psychopath-its-like-the-difference-between-a-domestic-cat-and-a-wild-cat

An interesting article about moving beyond Hare's checklist for psychopathy, since it was limited in the sample population to ones in prison.

Dr Mitchell has been studying the high-functioning ones, who appear in lots of other contexts with different names; trying to draw those threads together.



Dr Mitchell has clusters of traits that these people display consistently. A template of 20 attributes, divided into four clusters.

• Cluster one includes a need for control; a grandiose sense of self; pathological inner response to challenge; vengefulness; refusal to compromise.
• Cluster two includes being predatory or exploitative; sadistic and cruel; having a low regard for laws, agreements, social and moral codes; no boundaries in sexual relationships; unreasonable expectations of others.
• Cluster three relates to the truth: Dark Personalities cultivate a façade of normality; they are chameleon-like; dishonest; devious and manipulative; and unwilling to accept responsibility for the negative impacts they cause.
• Cluster four is around the Dark Personality’s own interior life: their emotions are acted and they do not experience affinity or the joy that comes with it; they are callous and devoid of empathy; unremorseful; self-interested; and brazen.

Hmmmm. Which orange buffoon comes to mind?

 

[Valcazar]

Hmmmm. Which orange buffoon comes to mind?

Indeed, but he's far from the only one.