* Glibness and Superficial CharmEmphasis added by me. The quote is from this website, but I guess there are countless others which cover the same topic in a similar manner.
* Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
* Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
* Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
* Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
* Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
* Incapacity for Love
* Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
* Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
* Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
* Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
* Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
* Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
* Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
* Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Other Related Qualities:
1. Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
2. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
3. Authoritarian
4. Secretive
5. Paranoid
6. Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
7. Conventional appearance
8. Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
9. Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
10. Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
11. Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
12. Incapable of real human attachment to another
13. Unable to feel remorse or guilt
14. Extreme narcissism and grandiose
15. May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
NOTE: In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity." By 1900 it was changed to "psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed "antisocial personality disorder" in the DSM-III and DSM-IV. Some critics have complained that, in the attempt to rely only on 'objective' criteria, the DSM has broadened the concept to include too many individuals. The APD category includes people who commit illegal, immoral or self-serving acts for a variety of reasons and are not necessarily psychopaths.
DSM-IV Definition
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.
How does one deal with a sociopath? The World Wide Web knows the answer: Don't!
6 comments:
I'm surprised you didn't bold "Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution".
Islam critics and law enforcement must deal with Muslim takiyya day in and day out, I read, and heard on interviews on TV. Ah yes, Islam is a religion of peace, they say.
You are absolutely right, Bruce!
The article states that there are people who are sociopaths, but lead normal lives. I suspect that many of those people are normal, but have a higher sense of morality, meaning they are in a state of perpetual shock and are numb from the immorality of the world, and immorality and ir-religiosity of those around them. They are functional, but don't allow themselves to experience any depth of feeling.
Similarly, while the sociopathic description of the Islamic religion is helpful, I think it is more helpful to realize that most Muslims are normal, but their god is sociopathic, and they seek to please that sociopathic god and his prophet, and the rest of Muslims and us infidels, must deal with the consequences and the result sociopathic-like behavior.
I'd say that there are verious degrees of sociopathy, from the slightly manipulative, self-centered, shallow charmer to the full-blown criminal.
Of course it is the religion of Islam that submits its followers into sociopathy. Like any other cult, really. Therefore it is important to point out that it is not (NOT!) a religion to begin with.
You say Islam is a "cult" and not a "religion." Mo is the cult leader even though he's dead. His body is still intact in Medina.
Many say Islam is more an ideology and politics than religion. I know that Robert Spencer bypasses the arguments about what Islam is by saying it is "all the above."
"Many say Islam is more an ideology and politics than religion. I know that Robert Spencer bypasses the arguments about what Islam is by saying it is "all the above.""
Well, that is a truism. Every cult is about dominance, rule and power and thus extremely political, and any totalitarian polit ideology will rather sooner than later turn into a cult. One could argue that Communism is a cult as well. The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution reached its climax with the celebration of the "Goddess of Reason" at Notre Dame cathedral. The Nazi ideology was doubtlessly a cult with all the trimmings, mass hysteria, the lot.
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