Sociopaths in High Places
An excerpt from an academic article (Cangemi and Pfhol, 2009).
Most people have interacted with sociopaths and rarely recognized them as such. They act smooth, very smooth, especially when in the public eye. According to Martha Stout (2005) "The condition of missing conscience is called ...sociopathy" (p.6) and those who demonstrate this behavior are termed sociopaths. They are chameleons of the first order, and often can pull the wool over the eyes of most people, no matter their experience or education level. Even psychologists and psychiatrists may succumb to their charms. They can be quite disarming, for sure. They are not easy to spot and, unfortunately, are singled out for what they really are, usually only after their damage and hurt have been done and they are merrily on their way - remorseless to repeat their venomous behavior on other unsuspecting individuals, who often are admirers.
In The Sociopath Next Door (Stout, 2005) and (Morse 2004; Babiak & Hare, 2006), it was stated about four percent of the United States population is sociopathic. Others have offered similar percentages. How accurate are these statistics? Cangemi and Pfohl, with over 70 years combined professional experience with scores of organizations in different cultures, and with exposure to thousands of leaders, staff personnel other associates and individuals-many on a confidential, one-on-one basis-believe this percentage may be higher.
These authors have observed first hand the workings of such individuals - especially their techniques, their callousness, their focused behavior, their desire to destroy a competitor, their delight in inflicting damage and pain on another, and their remorseless willingness to do whatever it takes (unethical, immoral, or illegal) to get what they want.
https://www.questia.com/article/1P3-1737653901/sociopaths-in-high-places
And a blog post from Linda Martinez-Lewi (Ph.d. and an expert in narcissistic personalities).
There is a term that describes certain kinds of individuals who are very successful in the world, have many admirers if not adorers, have access to social/business connections we might all envy whom I call bloodless sociopaths. I use this term because they are without conscience, completely lack empathy, are among the cruelest and sadistic human beings but literally don’t draw blood. They commit numerous crimes throughout their lives and don’t get caught. That’s how well they have mastered their act. Often they have a high intelligence quotient and have achieved superlative marks throughout their schooling. From the time they are very young these sociopaths know that they are superior to everyone, including their parents, that there isn’t anything they can’t do or have. The world and people in it exist to be manipulated by them.
With the narcissistic style taking over much of our world today and becoming fully acceptable—self absorption, obsession with appearance, being in the A list social circles, coldness and disdain for those outside of this magic bubble—it becomes easier for the sociopath to move in and out of business and social circles undetected as a dreadful human being. We have narcissistic sociopaths who run some of our prestigious corporations. We have some members of the branches of government who fit this definition. When you look at some of the dirty deal making that takes place, the rip-offs of those who are without power or money, and the pure greed involved you find that many in the corporate, entrepreneurial, entertainment, media and government that fit this definition. No one wants to talk about sociopaths in high places. Most people have a problem believing that a person with such prestige and power who is given the highest respect and deference and even lionized could be so predatory.
Their family members may not be aware of their levels of criminality. They have become so deluded and accustomed to leading privileged lives that they close their eyes to anything that disrupts the perfect insular world they have created. There are plenty of spouses and children of narcissistic sociopaths who will tell you horror stories about their private lives. Family members describe themselves as prisoners, unable to make their own decisions, forced to follow their parent(s) commands to the letter. They view ugly violent scenes between their parents that are re-enacted frequently and put them in a chronic state of anxiety and apprehension. Spouses who willfully stay married to these reprehensible individuals put the lives of their children in psychological and emotional jeopardy. If you are the spouse of one of these individuals and finally recognize all of the damage that has been done, wake up and prepare to sever these pathological relationships if not for yourself for your children.
Narcissism and sociopathy in its bloodless form are becoming more acceptable in the society at large. You don’t notice many high level narcissists doing perp walks or losing court cases when they are clearly guilty or going out of business because they have been defrauding their business partners and clients for years.
http://thenarcissistinyourlife.com/narcissistic-sociopaths-in-high-places-3/
Apologies for triggering any horrible memories; but this is an important topic, IMHO.
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