“Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don’t mean to do harm, but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.”
— T. S. Eliot, The Cocktail Party (1949).
On November 7, 2020, a few days past the US Presidential Election, we published a piece titled “Why Trump Can’t Concede” (link to the story at the end). It offered a possible explanation: he was affected with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), defined by the Mayo Clinic as a disorder marked by defiant and disobedient behavior to authority figures, frequent and persistent patterns of anger, irritability, arguing, defiance or vindictiveness toward authority figures. The symptoms include irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, aggression, and vindictiveness. Trump is not the only leader affected by this trait.
Each of its symptoms appears in at least one other psychiatric disorder. Today we explore three of these: Megalomania, Psychopathy, and Narcissism.
I. Definitions:
Megalomania:
A symptom of mental illness marked by delusions of greatness, …an obsession with doing grand things. Megalomania is a personality disorder characterized by the person having ideas of grandiosity, so they may lie, manipulate or exaggerate some situations or people, to achieve his/her goals. Megalomania is the wish to dominate and control others, subordinating them to one’s own will.
Megalomaniacs use their office to control others and strategize to achieve their desired outcomes. The deluded megalomaniac and the Machiavellian take advantage of others to get what they want … to control others by entertaining a false belief or opinion because of their mistaken or deceived mind or judgment. The ends justify the means, and people become the used means – rather than being the ends. “the megalomaniac is actually experiencing some kind of inner distress which drives them towards controlling and dominating others rather than relating to them in mutually beneficial ways” (1).
Psychopathy
is a neuropsychiatric disorder defined by a lack or inadequate emotional responses, and poor behavioral controls, commonly resulting in persistent antisocial deviance and misconduct (2), a condition characterized by the absence of empathy and the blunting of other affective states. (Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial behaviors.) A lack of empathy enables psychopaths to be highly manipulative. Psychopaths can appear normal, even charming. Underneath, they lack any semblance of a conscience. (3)
Psychopathy is a disorder characterized partly by shallow emotional responses, …impulsivity, and an increased likelihood of antisocial behavior (4). Certain perceived psychopathic traits in youth may simply be a consequence of immature behavioral controls,… an accumulating literature has provided rather strong evidence indicating that carefully defined aspects of psychopathy are apparent at a young age and are remarkably persistent across the lifespan. (5)
Narcissism.
Narcissistic personality disorder (one of several personality disorders) is a mental disorder in which people have an inordinate sense of their own importance and a profound need for excessive attention and admiration. However, behind this mask of extreme security, there is a fragile self-esteem that is vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
Narcissism is excessive complacency in the consideration of one’s own faculties. The narcissist believes he is the center of the world. Their purpose in life is to make it known that they do everything right and you do everything wrong. They are always the best.
Narcissism isn’t a combination of monumental self-esteem. Narcissism is characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, a need for excessive admiration, and the belief that one is unique and deserving of special treatment. Narcissists desperately need other people to validate their own worth. “It’s not so much being liked. It’s much more important to be admired. Since they feel entitled to special treatment, they are easily offended, and readily harbor grudges. ‘It’s totally the other person’s fault.’ (6)
The pathological narcissist’s lack of empathy may also manifest as antagonism, fueled by grandiosity and attention-seeking. In seeing themselves as superior, pathological narcissist naturally views everyone else as inferior and may be intolerant of disagreement or questioning. (7)
Narcissists often pursue leadership and are selected for leadership positions by others. At the same time, they act in their own best interest, putting the needs and interests of others at risk.
II. Symptoms:
Megalomania
The megalomaniac, like the Machiavellian, takes advantage of others to get what they want. The ends justify the means, and people become the used means – rather than being the ends. “the megalomaniac is actually experiencing some kind of inner distress which drives them towards controlling and dominating others rather than relating to them in mutually beneficial ways”. (8)
Impostor. When we promote people on the basis of their lack of insecurities, excessive self-adulation, and grandiose sense of entitlement, we can be certain to end up with too many overconfident and deluded megalomaniacs in charge. Our obsession with confidence over competence explains why so many incompetent men become leaders. “we’re generally overconfident in our opinions and our impressions and judgments.” (9); the non-stop prevalence of dreadful leaders who combine a surplus of confidence with a lack of competence.
Psychopathy
Psychopathy, as mentioned earlier, is a condition characterized by the absence of empathy and the blunting of other affective states. Callousness, detachment, and a lack of empathy enable psychopaths to be highly manipulative. Nevertheless, psychopathy is among the most difficult disorders to spot. (10)
Psychopathy is a spectrum disorder and can be diagnosed using a Psychopathy Checklist, which features traits such as lack of empathy, pathological lying, impulsivity, glibness/superficial charm, grandiose sense of self-worth, need for stimulation/proneness to boredom, pathological lying, conning/manipulative, lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect (i.e., reduced emotional responses), parasitic lifestyle, poor behavioral controls, promiscuous sexual behavior, early behavioral problems, lack of realistic, long-term goals. Irresponsibility, failure to accept responsibility for one’s own actions, many short-term marital relationships, juvenile delinquency, revocation of conditional release (from prison), criminal versatility (i.e., committing diverse types of crimes). (11)
Recognizable behavioral outcomes characterize psychopathy. Primary psychopathy was the consequence of an intrinsic, idiopathic deficit—what we may now consider being genetic influences—and secondary psychopathy was the result of indirect factors (eg., trauma exposure), with the behavioral consequences of each appearing quite similar, with subtle differences. “…psychopaths have reduced connections in the areas of the brain that control fear, anxiety, empathy, and sentimentality.” (12)
The terms “psychopath” and “sociopath” are often used interchangeably, but a “sociopath” refers to a person with antisocial tendencies that are ascribed to social or environmental factors. In contrast, psychopathic traits are thought to be more innate. That said, genetic and non-genetic causes likely play a role in shaping any person with antisocial traits. Sociopathy is used in reference to those whose deficits were predicated by environmental factors such as incompetent parents and impoverished rearing environments, which would hinder proper socialization.
Empirical evidence shows that arrogant and narcissistic leaders pose a threat to their nations; we continue to appoint to leadership roles people who perform well in campaigns, even when they are unaware of their limitations, overconfident, or charismatic psychopaths. (Charisma is defined by magnetism, social appeal, charm, and popularity).
“To some, it is paradoxical to consider an individual who is self-centered, manipulative, and engages in unethical or criminal behaviors to be successful; however, this perspective is entirely dependent upon how one defines ‘success.’ We wanted to better understand how psychopathic individuals achieve successful outcomes in the form of success in the workplace and/or getting away with unethical and criminal behaviors”. (13)
“…charismatic people with psychopathy tendencies were more likely to avoid punishment for their poor behavior. Bad behavior can include lying, manipulation, abusive actions, cheating, and criminal activity. This study found psychopathic individuals can be charming, smooth-talking, and likable with ingenuine intentions. More psychopathic individuals may also be better at influencing others. (14)
“Organisational psychopaths are able to present themselves as desirable leaders and are easily able to obtain positions in organisations. Without the inhibiting effect of a conscience they are then able to ruthlessly charm, lie, cajole, and manipulate their way up an organisational hierarchy in pursuit of their main aims of power, wealth, and status and at the expense of anyone who gets in their way”. (15)
Narcissism
The signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms are variable. People with this disorder may: Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and privilege and require constant, excessive admiration; they feel they deserve privileges and special treatment. Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements to justify it. Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are; Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, and brilliance; Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people; Monopolizing conversations and despising or looking down on people they perceive as inferior; Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them; Take advantage of others to get what they want; Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others; Envying others and believing that others envy them; “They’re all about preserving self-image and avoiding self-consciousness.” (16)
Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and how severe they are can vary. People with the disorder can: Insist on having the last word, are very prone to flattery, and are immune to self-doubt. When a narcissist is in charge, he’ll feel no compunction asking for a lot and providing very little in return; He’s totally focused on his vision for the project; it’s all about him.
Entirely dependent on others’ opinions, a narcissist can act like a cornered animal if he or she feels threatened. Its self-aggrandizing behavior encompasses a hunger for appreciation or admiration, a desire to be the center of attention, and an expectation of special treatment reflecting perceived higher status. Research shows that narcissists become aggressive when they feel an ego threat—confronted with proof that they aren’t special—or feel they aren’t getting enough respect.
Narcissistic people may manipulate and exploit others, damaging their self-esteem and even aiming to alter their sense of reality. That dysfunction typically causes friction in relationships due to the pathological narcissist’s lack of empathy. It may also manifest as antagonism, fueled by grandiosity and attention-seeking. In seeing themselves as superior, the pathological narcissist naturally views everyone else as inferior and may be intolerant of disagreement or questioning.
When you’ve built a life on falsehoods, it’s hard to grapple with questions that everyone faces, the serious distortions that a narcissist creates. A narcissist can’t see anything wrong about themselves, even when his world is crashing down all around them, being blind to their own faults, believing themselves to be the center of the universe, and believing that their own opinions or interests are more important than those of others.
He is flawless and does not accept criticism or negative comments. It is common for him to talk about himself constantly and to show more interest in talking about his own experience and about what he is being told, than about the information he is given. It is difficult for the selfish person to empathize with the pain or enthusiasm of others. In addition, when conversing with them, it is common for them to be convinced that their arguments are the really interesting ones. Immune to empathy and sympathy, that leader does not show emotions by the death of officers in the line of duty under his command. Or if a journalist is the victim of a deadly attack, he assumes the role of the victim of a plot to destabilize his rule; he is the only one that matters, and everything else is irrelevant to him.
Ethics and Morality.
“To put it simply, ethics represents the moral code that guides a person’s choices and behaviors throughout their life. The idea of a moral code extends beyond the individual to include what is determined to be right, and wrong, for a community or society at large.
“Ethics is concerned with rights, responsibilities, what it means to live an ethical life, and how people make moral decisions. Moralizing is a subjective concept, and many people have strong and stubborn beliefs about what’s right and wrong that can place them in direct contrast to the moral beliefs of others.
“What is the difference between being amoral and being immoral?
“An amoral person has no sense of, or care for, what is right or wrong. There is no regard for either morality or immorality. Conversely, an immoral person knows the difference, yet he does the wrong thing, regardless. The amoral politician, for example, has no conscience and makes choices based on his own personal needs; he is oblivious to whether his actions are right or wrong”. (17)
Disclaimer.
None of the people involved in this piece has a degree in Psychiatry or Psychology, or are practitioners in the mental health area. This is a collection of definitions and symptoms readily available on the internet to any curious mind.
NOTES:
(4) Cleckley H. The Mask of Sanity: An Attempt to Reinterpret the So-Called Psychopathic Personality. Oxford, England: Mosby; 1941, and Hare RD. Psychopathy: A clinical construct whose time has come. Crim. Justice Behav. 1996;23(1):25–54.
(5) Lynam DR, Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Loeber R, Stouthamer-Loeber M. Longitudinal evidence that psychopathy scores in early adolescence predict adult psychopathy. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 2007;116(1):155–165.
(6) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200601/field-guide-narcissism
(7) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/narcissism
(8) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pacific-heart/202209/which-six-power-types-will-you-embody-and-support
(9) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mr-personality/202107/the-dark-side-having-confidence
(10)https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopathy#:~:text=Psychopathy%20is%20a%20condition%20characterized,most%20difficult%20disorders%20to%20spot.
(11)https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopathy#:~:text=Psychopathy%20is%20a%20condition%20characterized,most%20difficult%20disorders%20to%20spot.
(12) https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/what-is-a-psychopath/
(13) https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/3565/psychopathic-individuals-with-charisma-can-get-away-with-more-bad behavior#:~:text=Welsh%20found%20that%20an%20important,social%20appeal%2C%20charm%20and%20popularity.
(14) Idem
(15) https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00251740610715759/full/html
(17) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/ethics-and-morality
SEPGRA Political Analysis Group
Further Reading: