The Psychopath Test

[Asterix]

I heard about this on NPR recently, on the series This American Life, and found it fascinating. I have included the link to the radio broadcast, which is a bit long, but the third part is especially interesting. This sounds like an odd topic for the Politics forum, but when you think about it, it makes sense.

In a nutshell, a few years ago a Canadian psychologist realized there was no real test to detect psychopathy. So he came up with his own. At first law enforcement officials didn't treat it seriously, but is now used extensively, not exactly to the pleasure of the man who came up with it. He seems to think many in LE will not give the test competantly, and he may well be right.

Having administered it himself many times, he found that approximately 1% of the general population exhibited significant psychopathic tendencies. That is in part defined by a complete lack of empathy. As if that part of their brain was missing, and a picture of a grisly murder scene meant no more to them emotionally then a picture of a chair. Nearly 25% of those in the justice system also did. Not overly surprising. What struck me was that over 4% of corporate executives also demonstrated a strong inclination towards paychopathy. 4 times the general public. Worth a listen if you have the time.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/436/the-psychopathy-test

 

[Scarey]

If you get a chance read"Snakes in Suits" When Psychopaths Go To Work".Basically it's a look at the corporate culture and the number of psychopaths that may inhabit it.It does make sense though.Some of these men and women are responsible for alot of economic and social pain.It can't be all about money.

 

[Asterix]

If you get a chance read"Snakes in Suits" When Psychopaths Go To Work".Basically it's a look at the corporate culture and the number of psychopaths that may inhabit it.It does make sense though.Some of these men and women are responsible for alot of economic and social pain.It can't be all about money.

I'll have to pick that up. When I think about people like this, I'm always reminded of Bernie Madoff and the time he was going into to report to authorities, and on the street in Manhatten with a crowd of people around him. Some of the people were pushing at him in disgust, but no one attempted to hit him, not that I would have blamed them. He had this vacant, slightly bemused expression on his face, as if it was all a joke. No real awareness of what he had done to people.

In the NPR broadcast they talk about a corporate exec for the Sunbeam corporation who agreed to take the test. He scored fairly high for psychopathic traits. His job at Sunbeam was to go around to various communities and close plant operations as much as possible. And fire as many people he saw fit. In the interview he said that this gave him a great deal of satisfaction. That he enjoyed firing people. Now who does this sound like who's been in the news lately?

 

[red]

I'll have to pick that up. When I think about people like this, I'm always reminded of Bernie Madoff and the time he was going into to report to authorities, and on the street in Manhatten with a crowd of people around him. Some of the people were pushing at him in disgust, but no one attempted to hit him, not that I would have blamed them. He had this vacant, slightly bemused expression on his face, as if it was all a joke. No real awareness of what he had done to people.

In the NPR broadcast they talk about a corporate exec for the Sunbeam corporation who agreed to take the test. He scored fairly high for psychopathic traits. His job at Sunbeam was to go around to various communities and close plant operations as much as possible. And fire as many people he saw fit. In the interview he said that this gave him a great deal of satisfaction. That he enjoyed firing people. Now who does this sound like who's been in the news lately?

should they give this to kids in school and take away the psychopaths?