For most of us even the imagined threat of criticism functions to control our behavior. We are haunted to some degree by questions about our self-worth. As a consequence, we continually attempt to prove to ourselves and others that we are okay people, credible, trustworthy, and competent.

Robert D. Hare

Categorized in : People Criticism Self Worth

Psychopaths view any social exchange as a ‘feeding opportunity,’ a contest or a test of wills in which there can be only one winner. Their motives are to manipulate and take, ruthlessly and without remorse.

psychology views opportunity

Too many people hold the idea that psychopaths are essentially killers or convicts. The general public hasn't been educated to see beyond the social stereotypes to understand that psychopaths can be entrepreneurs, politicians, CEOs and other successful individuals who may never see the inside of a prison.

successful people ideas

Psychopaths have a grandiose self-structure which demands a scornful and detached devaluation of others, in order to ward off their envy toward the good perceived in other people. He will choose you, disarm you with his words, and control you with his presence. He will delight you with his wit and his plans. He will show you a good time but you will always get the bill. He will smile and deceive you, and he will scare you with his eyes. And when he is through with you, and he will be through with you, he will desert you and take with him your innocence and your pride.

eye pride self

Psychopaths are social predators, and like all predators, they are looking for feeding grounds. Wherever you get power, prestige and money, you will find them.

predator prestige social

A psychopath can tell what you're thinking but what they don't do is feel what you feel. These are people without a conscience.

political people thinking

Language and words for psychopaths are only word deep; there is no emotional colouring behind it. A psychopath can use a word like, ‘I love you’ but it means nothing more to him than if he said, ‘I’ll have a cup of coffee.

coffee love-you mean

Many psychopaths describe the traditional treatment programmes as finishing schools where they hone their skills. Where they find out that there are lots of techniques they had not thought about before.

technique skills school

Not all psychopaths are in prison - some are in the boardroom. by Robert D. Hare

Not all psychopaths are in prison - some are in the boardroom.

psychopath prison

Science cannot progress without reliable and accurate measurement of what it is you are trying to study. The key is measurement, simple as that.

you progress simple science

All the reading in the world cannot immunize you from the devastating effects of psychopaths. Everyone, including the experts, can be taken in, conned, and left bewildered by them. A good psychopath can play a concerto on anyone's heart strings.

good you heart world

Measurement and categorization are, of course, fundamental to any scientific endeavor, but the implications of being able to identify psychopaths are as much practical as academic. To put it simply, if we can't spot them, we are doomed to be their victims, both as individuals and as a society.

being endeavor measurement society

I always said that if I wasn't studying psychopaths in prison, I'... by Robert D. Hare

I always said that if I wasn't studying psychopaths in prison, I'd do it at the stock exchange.

studying always prison said

There are certainly more people in the business world who would score high in the psychopathic dimension than in the general population. You'll find them in any organization where, by the nature of one's position, you have power and control over other people and the opportunity to get something.

you nature business power

People tend to think of psychopaths as criminals. In fact, the majority of psychopaths aren't criminal.

criminal fact think people