WHEN PSYCHOPATHS GO TO WORK - A CASE-STUDY OF AN INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOPATH

Most research on psychopaths has been conducted in hospitals or prisons. The present paper presents an analysis of a psychopath in an industrial setting. The Psychopath Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) was used to assess psychopathy by observing and coding behaviours observed in an employment situation. Although previous research on psychopathic populations in clinical and penal settings suggests that they lead unsuccessful lives, a case study is presented as an example of a successful industrial psychopath. Industrial psychopaths display psychopathic personality characteristics but do not display the typical progression of increasing antisocial behaviour and deviant lifestyle. A model is presented which suggests that in the context of an organisation undergoing chaotic change they use their manipulation skills to effectively manage the discrepant views of supporters and detractors, resulting in successful career movement.