Is YOUR boss a psychopath? Study finds up to one in five CEOs have high levels of psychopathic traits

Roughly one-fifth of top corporate professionals have ‘extremely high’ levels of psychopathic traits, according to a new study – about the same rate as seen among prisoners.

‘Successful psychopaths’ have become increasingly common in the last decade, and often lack empathy or remorse, having a toxic impact on the employees around them.

Researchers say these findings are much higher than expected, and warn that these individuals may turn to unethical and illegal tactics to get ahead.

Roughly one-fifth of top corporate professionals have ‘extremely high’ levels of psychopathic traits, according to a new study – about the same rate as seen among prisoners. A scene from American Psycho is pictured

THE 'DARK TRIAD' OF TRAITS

Narcissism: Tendencies of attention-seeking, charm, vanity, grandiose yet low self-esteem, and a willingness to manipulate others.

Machiavellianism: Coldness, immoral thinking, long-term manipulation, blunt practicality, and hunger for money, success or power.

Psychopathy: Antisocial behaviours, thrill-seeking, manipulation and impulsivity.

In the new study, the team from Bond University in Australia and the University of San Diego examined the prevalence of psychopathic traits in the business sector.

The findings were presented today at the Australian Psychological Society Congress in Melbourne.

A study of 261 corporate professionals in the supply chain management industry revealed that 21 percent of these individuals have ‘clinically significant levels of psychopathic traits.’

This is compared with about one in 100 people from the general population, and one in five people in the prison system found to have these traits.

Other emerging studies have found that individuals with psychopathic traits could make up anywhere from 3 to 21 percent of the corporate world’s top ranking officials.

But according to the researchers, 'successful psychopaths' have become far more common following the 2008 global financial crisis. 

‘Successful psychopaths’ have become increasingly common in the last decade. Researchers warn that these individuals may turn to unethical and illegal tactics to get ahead. Kevin Spacey is pictured above as Frank Underwood in House of Cards

SUCCESSFUL PSYCHOPATHS 

Successful psychopathy is a controversial idea - but it's not a new one.

In 1941, American psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley was among the first to highlight this paradoxical condition in his book The Mask of Sanity.

According to Cleckley, the psychopath is a hybrid creature, donning an engaging veil of normalcy that conceals an emotionally impoverished and profoundly disturbed core.

In Cleckley's eyes, psychopaths are charming, self-centered, dishonest, guiltless and callous people who lead aimless lives devoid of deep interpersonal attachments.

But Cleckley also alluded to the possibility that some psychopathic individuals are successful interpersonally and occupationally, at least in the short term.

In a 1946 article, he wrote that the typical psychopath will have 'often outstripped 20 rival salesmen over a period of six months, or married the most desirable girl in town, or, in a first venture into politics, got himself elected into the state legislature'. 

The researchers say this study highlights a need for companies to conduct psychological screening processes to identify these traits.

‘Too often companies look at skills first and then secondly consider personality features,’ says Nathan Brooks, a forensic psychologist at Bond University.

‘Really it needs to be firstly about the candidate’s character and then, if they pass the character test, consider whether they have the right skills.’

‘Successful psychopaths’ are often insecure yet egocentric, and can be charming and superficial, the researchers point out.

And, they often lack empathy or remorse, and may manipulate the people around them.

 According to the researchers, this study highlights a need for companies to conduct psychological screening processes to identify these traits. A stock image is pictured

‘Typically psychopaths create a lot of chaos and generally tend to play people off against each other,’ Brooks says.

The researchers say the study has major implications for businesses, as these people may have a toxic effect on other employees and engage in unethical and illegal business practices.

Along with their findings, the researchers have developed a tool to help businesses spot potential ‘successful psychopaths’ during recruitment.

‘We hope to implement our screening tool in businesses so that there’s an adequate assessment to hopefully identify this problem – to stop people sneaking through into positions in the business that can become very costly,’ Brooks says.

ARE YOU A PSYCHOPATH? RESEARCHERS REVEAL THE SIGNS

Psychopaths display different traits depending on their disorder, but common signs include superficial charm, a grandiose notion of self-worth, the need for stimulation and impulsiveness, pathological lying, the ability to manipulate others and a lack of remorse and empathy.

Experts claim people usually find psychopaths intriguing, but can't put their finger on why. 

This is down to incongruous behaviour because psychopaths tend to do a lot of acting to deceive, or mimic normal reactions, sometimes changing their views and reactions quickly.

For example, Mr Wells said upon meeting someone, he tries to become 'the most interesting person they know' and presumably adopts suitable interests and responses to do this.

His response also gives away another common trait - a grandiose notion of self-worth - in that he can be the most interesting person in the room.

Psychopaths occasionally tend to exhibit unconvincing emotional responses, with slip-ups including tone of voice or body language.

This may be because they are unable to understand emotions such as fear and love, but can mimic them.

Generally psychopaths' 'emotions' are shallow and short-lived and there is a manipulative ulterior motive to showing them.

For example, Mr Wells said he offers to do favours and tells false secrets to people to gain their complete trust.

He also displays insincere charm - another trait associated with psychopaths.

He says: 'I keep secrets, and tell them fake secrets to further gain their trust, and once they trust me enough, I ask for favours, reminding them of the favours I did them. I can get literally anything from them, which is incredibly useful.'

Psychopaths typically display an incredible ability to manipulate others and sometimes take pleasure in doing so. 

Psychopaths often have an air of superiority about them, perhaps shown by Mr Wells' belief he can spot other psychopaths

Even expert Dr Hare warns that anyone can be duped during a short interaction with a psychopath.