The Psychology of Money: Competing with Sociopaths

Richard worked late into the night to meet the deadline on his project.  Getting it in on time would mean a sure promotion. After busting his back for the last year, he well deserved it.

But little did Richard know that his bid for the coveted account manager’s position had already been discretely derailed.  Seems that his colleague,Tom, also wanted the position, and had no scruples about how he would get it.   When he started dating the bosses’ daughter, Marjorie,  six months ago, everyone thought it was an unlikely match.  Tom was handsome, charming, and always on the go, where Marjorie was more introverted, with a few close friends.  The whirlwind courtship led to a quick marriage.  Tom talked Marjorie into eloping with him.

And when the coveted marketing position was finally filled, it went to the bosses’ son-in-law, Tom.

No one was surprised when Tom started having extra-marital affairs. But they were surprised when, five years later, he was caught funneling money out of the company and into a foreign bank account.  In custody, and facing up to 10 years in prison, Tom underwent psychological testing, where it was determined that he was a sociopath.

As many as one in twenty-five of us are sociopaths, claims Martha Stout, a Boston psychiatrist teaching at Harvard University.  In her book,The Sociopath Next Door, she describes them as “someone displaying at least three of seven distinguishing characteristics, such as deceitfulness, impulsivity and a lack of remorse. Such people often have a superficial charm, which they exercise ruthlessly in order to get what they want.”  Manipulative, generally extremely intelligent and cunning, the sociopath is often successful, usually at the sacrifice of others.

They may be head of a street gang, a drug dealer, in organized crime, or a successful businessman or politian.  Often, however, their success is built on fabrications and embellishments.  Like a house of cards, eventually the stories become inconsistent, and the cards come tumbling down.  But not before many people have fell victim to the sociopath’s escapades.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, to be diagnosed as a sociopath, a person must exhibit three or more of the following characteristics:

1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;
4. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others;
6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;
7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

How do you protect yourself from the “Toms” out there?

Here are some common characteristics to watch out for, as listed in a number of psychology references:

• Persistent lying or stealing
• Recurring difficulties with the law
• Tendency to violate the rights and boundaries of others
• Substance abuse
• Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights
• A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria)
• Inability to tolerate boredom
• Disregard for the safety of self or others
• A childhood diagnosis of conduct disorders - this is not a symptom but “a history of”
• Lack of remorse, related to hurting others
• Superficial charm
• Impulsiveness
• A sense of extreme entitlement
• Inability to make or keep friends
• Recklessness, impulsivity
• difficulties with authority figures

It’s hard not to be a little paranoid after reading about these personality types.

Don’t be paranoid, but be watchful.  Be smart.  Don’t let your emotions cloud your observations of a person.    The cause may be genetic, and/or it may be environmental.

Whatever.  These people are out there.

Facts are facts.

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