Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work by Robert D. Hare, Paul Babiak Page A
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which are important to understand, as they relate to psychopathy.
For example, narcissistic personality disorder involves an excessive need for admiration and a sense of superiority, among other traits. Someone with narcissistic personality disorder is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) as displaying a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fan-tasy or behavior), need for admiration, sense of entitlement, and lack of empathy.
Narcissists think that everything that happens around them, in fact, everything that others say and do, is or should be about them. In social situations where this is not the case, they will take action to become the center of attention, such as hogging the conversation or belittling others. Narcissistic people lack other choices in their behavioral repertoire, like paying attention to the needs and wants of others, sharing the floor, and negotiating with others for attention and feedback. Being described as narcissistic is not necessarily a bad thing, according to these individuals, as they see pathological self-admiration What You See May Not Be What You See 41
as merely a natural reaction to their obvious perfection. After all,
“What’s not to like about me?” Some narcissists even may complain that their talent and beauty are burdens they must bear.
Narcissists have difficulty learning alternative behaviors; but over time, and with some assistance—as with all personality disorders—
they can learn to moderate their behaviors and the negative effect they have on others. The real problem for others is when narcissistic features, especially a sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy, shade into antisocial and destructive behaviors. When this happens, the pattern might be described as aggressive or malignant narcissism, which is difficult to distinguish from psychopathy.
Another example is histrionic personality disorder, which has a number of characteristics, the two most salient being emotionality and a need for approval that others may find excessive. These individuals tend to come across as overly dramatic, emotional, and possibly theatrical for the social situation they are in. They sometimes dress and act flirtatiously in an attempt to garner attention. Unlike the narcissist, though, they do not always need to feel superior—
they’ll accept a supportive role, if available, which can provide them with the psychological support they need.
The number of individuals who can be diagnosed with narcissistic (only 1 percent of the general population) or histrionic (2 to 3
percent) personality disorders is small. In fact, many more individuals appear as “narcissistic” or “histrionic” to those around them than actually have these disorders. In addition, some true psychopaths are mislabeled narcissistic or histrionic because of the self-centered or emotional features they display in public. This makes diagnosis difficult and often confusing for those with limited face-to-face experience with these individuals. Only qualified psychologists or psychiatrists can diagnose a personality disorder, including psychopathy, and differentiate it from others that may look similar.
Note: The above is a simplified explanation of personality disorders. Interested readers are directed to the DSM-IV, used by psychologists and psychiatrists, for a more complete discussion of similarities and differences.
42
S N A K E S I N S U I T S
The Manipulative Approach to Life
Many psychopaths are master manipulators and game players; they will use every trick in the book to achieve their goals. The traits and characteristics noted by Hare and Cleckley serve them well and are best understood if explained in the context in which they play out in their daily lives. Understanding how they perform in public can help one begin to catch a glimpse of the real person behind the charming façade and, we hope, will help the reader mount a defense against
For example, narcissistic personality disorder involves an excessive need for admiration and a sense of superiority, among other traits. Someone with narcissistic personality disorder is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) as displaying a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fan-tasy or behavior), need for admiration, sense of entitlement, and lack of empathy.
Narcissists think that everything that happens around them, in fact, everything that others say and do, is or should be about them. In social situations where this is not the case, they will take action to become the center of attention, such as hogging the conversation or belittling others. Narcissistic people lack other choices in their behavioral repertoire, like paying attention to the needs and wants of others, sharing the floor, and negotiating with others for attention and feedback. Being described as narcissistic is not necessarily a bad thing, according to these individuals, as they see pathological self-admiration What You See May Not Be What You See 41
as merely a natural reaction to their obvious perfection. After all,
“What’s not to like about me?” Some narcissists even may complain that their talent and beauty are burdens they must bear.
Narcissists have difficulty learning alternative behaviors; but over time, and with some assistance—as with all personality disorders—
they can learn to moderate their behaviors and the negative effect they have on others. The real problem for others is when narcissistic features, especially a sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy, shade into antisocial and destructive behaviors. When this happens, the pattern might be described as aggressive or malignant narcissism, which is difficult to distinguish from psychopathy.
Another example is histrionic personality disorder, which has a number of characteristics, the two most salient being emotionality and a need for approval that others may find excessive. These individuals tend to come across as overly dramatic, emotional, and possibly theatrical for the social situation they are in. They sometimes dress and act flirtatiously in an attempt to garner attention. Unlike the narcissist, though, they do not always need to feel superior—
they’ll accept a supportive role, if available, which can provide them with the psychological support they need.
The number of individuals who can be diagnosed with narcissistic (only 1 percent of the general population) or histrionic (2 to 3
percent) personality disorders is small. In fact, many more individuals appear as “narcissistic” or “histrionic” to those around them than actually have these disorders. In addition, some true psychopaths are mislabeled narcissistic or histrionic because of the self-centered or emotional features they display in public. This makes diagnosis difficult and often confusing for those with limited face-to-face experience with these individuals. Only qualified psychologists or psychiatrists can diagnose a personality disorder, including psychopathy, and differentiate it from others that may look similar.
Note: The above is a simplified explanation of personality disorders. Interested readers are directed to the DSM-IV, used by psychologists and psychiatrists, for a more complete discussion of similarities and differences.
42
S N A K E S I N S U I T S
The Manipulative Approach to Life
Many psychopaths are master manipulators and game players; they will use every trick in the book to achieve their goals. The traits and characteristics noted by Hare and Cleckley serve them well and are best understood if explained in the context in which they play out in their daily lives. Understanding how they perform in public can help one begin to catch a glimpse of the real person behind the charming façade and, we hope, will help the reader mount a defense against
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