Rich people and psychopaths?

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Business Insider March 17

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'Rich people and psychopaths tend to have 7 distinct traits in common'

MORGAN QUINN, GOBANKINGRATES

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'There's an unsettling correlation between psychopathy, a personality disorder characterized by a lack of conscience, and those who find personal wealth and success.'

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'The incidence of psychopathy among CEOs, for instance, is four times higher than the general population, reports journalist Jon Ronson in his book "The Psychopath Test." "Basically, when you get them talking, [psychopaths] are different than human beings," Ronson told Forbes. "They lack things that make you human: empathy, remorse, loving kindness." In studying psychopaths, researchers Paul Babiak and Robert Hare found that the high-stakes, high-profits corporate environment attracts these dysfunctional personalities. Psychopaths often share the same goals as many others: money, power, material goods, and influence. But as Babiak and Hare report in their co-authored book "Snakes in Suits," the difference between a typical corporate worker and a psychopath is that the latter views any means, even the harmful, cruel or illegal, as justified if they help achieve the end.'

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'Here are some of the most common psychopathic traits exhibited by the rich.'

'1. Lack of empathy

Psychopaths are incapable of empathy — understanding the feelings and experiences of others and responding appropriately. A lack of empathy was also linked to those who are rich and powerful in a 2008 study by social psychologists from the University of Amsterdam and UC Berkeley, reports The New York Times.'

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2. Egotism

Nobel economics prize winner and psychologist Daniel Kahneman tracked the achievements of 25 wealth advisers over eight years and found that their success was a total illusion, reports The Guardian.'

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'3. Superficial charm

Do senior leaders rise to the top because their judgment, vision, and management skills are superior to anyone else in the company — or do they get there by manipulating others, through charm, deceit, or a sense of entitlement? A study published by Psychology, Crime and Law tested the psychological traits of 39 senior managers and chief executives from leading British businesses and compared these results to those of convicted criminals. The business executives tested similarly to the convicts for certain indicators of psychopathy.'

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'4. Lack of remorse

Psychopaths are usually very charming and charismatic, but show little remorse when their actions harm others. A psychopath often blames others for the things he does, or the negative outcomes of his behavior. Ronson told Forbes that in America's capitalistic society, psychopathic traits and ruthless, cold behavior actually become positives. Among higher-scoring psychopaths, there was even a joy in manipulating others, actions for which a typical person would feel remorse or guilt.'

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'5. Selfishness

It makes sense that the rich can afford to be more generous and would thus be more likely to give than those who are less well-off, but a recent study shows that the reality is the opposite. An experiment by Paul Piff and a Berkeley research team suggested it's the poor, not the wealthy, who are more inclined to charitable giving, reports The Economist.'

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'6. Unethical behavior

Upper class people are more likely to behave unethically than lower class people, according to a series of studies from the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Data from the study suggested this unethical behavior was supported by a more favorable attitude toward greed. The series of studies showed that upper class participants were more likely than poorer participants to: Break the law while driving Exhibit unethical decision-making Take valued goods from others Lie during a negotiation Cheat to increase their chances of winning Endorse unethical behavior at work'

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'7. Prone to boredom

Psychopaths love to live life in the fast lane. Living on the edge gives them the sense of danger and excitement they crave, reports Psychology Today. Many psychopaths commit crimes or hurt others just for the thrill of it. Anything mundane, boring, or repetitive doesn't excite them and they will quickly lose interest.' 

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Very interesting and educational read from Business Insider.

My friend Chucky has mentioned previous related studies to me in regard to the connection.

In contrast, I would reason and deduce that not all persons that are rich or wealthy should be connected to those persons that are psychopaths or sociopaths.

I state this without scientific data but can reason that overall throughout human history many rich and wealthy persons and entities have done good for humanity, demonstrating likely not to be psychopaths or sociopaths.

On the other hand, in my recent post on my other blog 'Dr. Russell Norman Murray' entitled:

One Percent Owning More Wealth Than The Other Ninety-Nine Percent? I stated:

'I do agree with the concept of a 'living wage' or 'working person's wage. That being a wage within an economy by where a person can survive. I have significant difficulty with corporations ethically placing fiduciary responsibility to shareholders above a living wage for employees.

Just because persons will work at a certain wage level, as in market value does not mean it is a living wage, but rather economics and other factors may pressure persons to accept the seemingly best deal possible and corporations should not use the economic argument that if someone will work at a certain wage then it is ethically acceptable, even if legal. There needs to be other ethical and moral issues considered. Corporations should put persons and their welfare, including a living wage for all employees above fiduciary responsibility to shareholders.'

I as a Christian Theologian and Philosopher do seriously ponder on the spiritual and mental state of wealthy business leaders that run large corporations and companies, that ethically have little or no difficulty knowing that some of their employees or contracted employees are not earning a working person's wage while they as the rich and wealthy live abundantly.

Nothing is done is rectify this situation.

I am not stating that small businesses should be expected, necessarily, to pay a working person's wage; for example if one would hire the neighbourhood adolescent to mow the lawn.

I am also not advocating for a socialistic government style control of wages.

Scripture, although not calling the rich and wealthy psychopaths or sociopaths, certainly acknowledges, at least in general, the spiritual problem with being rich and seeking to be rich and how this works with interaction with the non-rich.

A key is not a government fix within capitalism, primarily, but a spiritual, ethical and moral change of business owners to take greater care and concern for workers.

Matthew 19:24-26

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

1 Timothy 6:10

New American Standard Bible (NASB) 10 For the love of money is a root of all [a]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

Footnotes: 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit the evils

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

James 5:1-6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of [a]Sabaoth. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have [b]fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and [c]put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

Footnotes: James 5:4 I.e. Hosts James 5:5 Lit nourished James 5:6 Or murdered

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Wealth is not inherently wrong, but its misuse is...