Saturday, November 26, 2005

You don't have to be a sociopath to be Republican, but it helps.

Republicans exhibit many of the behavioral characteristics of a sociopath or socialized psychopath-- such as an outstanding ability to charm and seduce followers. Since they appear apparently normal, they are not easily recognizable as deviant or disturbed. Although only a trained professional can make a diagnosis, it is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to avoid further abuse.

  • Glibness/Superficial Charm
    Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.

  • Manipulative and Conning
    They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.

  • Grandiose Sense of Self
    Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality.

  • 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 able to pass lie detector tests.

  • 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
    While they talk about "God's love" they are unable to give or receive it. Since they do not believe in the genuineness of their followers' love, they are very harsh in testing it from their devotees and expect them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.

  • Need for Stimulation
    Living on the edge, yet testing the beliefs of their followers with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.

  • 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. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the follower cannot believe their leader would callously hurt them, they rationalize the behavior as necessary for their (or the group's) own "good" and deny the abuse. When devotees become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "spiritual rape" to 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. The followers only see them as near perfect.

  • 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 blame their followers or others outside their group. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the followers.

  • Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
    Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Many groups claim as their goal world-domination or other utopian promises. Great contrast between the leader's opulent lifestyle and the followers' impoverishment. Support by gifts and donations from the followers who are pressured to give through fear and guilt. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.

  • Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
    Changes their image and that of the group as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of members. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the group. Can resurface later with a new name, a new front group and a new twist on the scam.

    Other Related Qualities

  • Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them

  • Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them

  • Authoritarian

  • Secretive

  • Paranoid

  • Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired

  • Conventional appearance

  • Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)

  • Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life

  • Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)

  • Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim

  • Incapable of real human attachment to another

  • Unable to feel remorse or guilt

  • Extreme narcissism and grandiose

  • May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

    PS This is just my first try at this post. If you have a link that would illustrate any point better or have a major link I missed let me know.

    PPS Ignore the vagaries of Haloscan that say there are no comments to this post. There are comments. They're worth reading. Regards, C


    Now Updated with extra linky goodness suggested by readers
  • 5 comments:

    CLICKME said...

    "It’s amazing, your posts are really impressive, I hope to see more of this wonderful article from you"

    야동
    립카페
    마사지
    건전마사지
    바카라사이트

    SAFETOTOSITEPRO18 said...

    Thanks for sharing such great knowledge with us. Looking for some more information from your blog. 바둑이사이트넷

    SAFETOTOSITEPRO18 said...

    I finally found great post here. Thanks for the information. Please keep sharing more articles. 바카라사이트윈

    메이저사이트 said...

    It has a good meaning. If you always live positively, someday good things will happen. 메이저사이트Let's believe in the power of positivity. Have a nice day.


    Blade said...

    Wow, you're very creative. Thank you very much for your position. Thanks once again. That's amazing.

    토토사이트링크
    토토사이트
    바카라사이트
    온라인카지노