# Why a Disproportionate Number of CEOs Are Psychopaths **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics and Social Issues\ **Created:** [August 13, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470 "2015-08-13T22:48:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/1 "2015-08-13T22:48:54Z")
Who fits the bill best? Why a Disproportionate Number of CEOs Are Psychopaths Journalist Jon Ronson’s book The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry sheds some new light on psychopaths and the mental health industry that surrounds them. During his research, Ronson learned that the about 4 percent of CEOs are psychopaths, which is nearly four times the rate in the general population. In fact, CEOs are more likely to exhibit psychopathic traits than folks with any other job title. The question is, why? The term psychopathic (and its somewhat gentler counterpart — sociopathic) is ever evolving, and a precise definition is hard to pinpoint. However, some traits rise to the surface no matter who you ask. PsychCentral explains it, in part, this way: “So who are psychopaths? Broadly speaking, they are people who use manipulation, violence and intimidation to control others and satisfy selfish needs. They can be intelligent and highly charismatic, but display a chronic inability to feel guilt, remorse or anxiety about any of their actions.” The exact opposite of the qualities needed in a president, which is the best reason to reject a successful business entrepreneur from any political position, most especially, President. > **[Why a Disproportionate Number of CEOs Are Psychopaths](https://www.payscale.com/career-advice/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/)** > > The position of CEO has the highest incidence of psychopathy of any job title — but why? > **[Are CEOs and Entrepreneurs psychopaths? Multiple studies say "Yes"](https://www.patheos.com/blogs/drishtikone/2013/10/are-ceos-and-entrepreneurs-psychopaths-multiple-studies-say-yes/)** > > Either it is the sign of our times, where success is almost akin to mental sickness, or our generation has a rather unfair share of mentally sick ---
**Author:** ![hazelnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bbce88/32.png) [@hazelnut](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/hazelnut)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/2 "2015-08-14T02:50:59Z")
By that logic most presidents and presidential candidates shouldn’t be there - because most of them are lawyers, and lawyer is the second most psychopathic occupation. > **[Which Professions Have the Most Psychopaths? The Fewest?](https://time.com/32647/which-professions-have-the-most-psychopaths-the-fewest/)** > > CEO is the profession with the most psychopaths. But first off, psychopath doesn’t just mean someone who cuts you up with a chainsaw — though... > **[List of presidents of the United States by previous experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_by_occupation)** > > Although many paths may lead to the presidency of the United States, the most common job experience, occupation or profession of U.S. presidents has been that of a lawyer. This sortable table enumerates all holders of that office, along with major elective or appointive offices or periods of military service prior to election to the presidency. The column immediately to the right of the presidents' names shows the position or office held just before the presidency. The next column to the rig Th... ---
**Author:** ![timb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@timb](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/timb)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 1:08pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/3 "2015-08-14T13:08:41Z")
I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label “psychopath”. The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO’s in their previous occupations. ---
**Author:** ![cuthbertj](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/cuthbertj/32/18_2.png) [@cuthbertj](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cuthbertj)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/4 "2015-08-14T17:14:00Z")
I think that definition can be boiled down to, people who feel an Ends Justifies The Means approach to a problem is legitimate. And that certainly includes CEOs and capitalists in general, but also religionists, for example who feel it’s ok to bomb an abortion clinic. So for religionists it’s “God’s word at any cost”, and for CEOs/capitalists it’s “Profit at any cost”. ---
**Author:** ![hazelnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bbce88/32.png) [@hazelnut](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/hazelnut)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/5 "2015-08-15T01:01:09Z")
> I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label "psychopath". The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO's in their previous occupations. Nixon? He was paranoid, unlikable, and creepy (I'm guessing) but he failed too much and lacked charm to be a psychopath. Bill Clinton is probably a psychopath, possibly JFK as well. ---
**Author:** ![timb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@timb](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/timb)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/6 "2015-08-16T00:41:31Z")
> I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label "psychopath". The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO's in their previous occupations. Nixon? He was paranoid, unlikable, and creepy (I'm guessing) but he failed too much and lacked charm to be a psychopath. Bill Clinton is probably a psychopath, possibly JFK as well. Nixon was charming enough to become POTUS. That qualifies, I think. And if you are going to classify Bill and JFK as psychopaths, then I think you would have to include all likable men who ever have sexual dalliances while in wedlock, and lie about it to, or conceal it from the public. In that case, there are an awful lot of psychopaths. ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 6:11am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/7 "2015-08-16T06:11:11Z")
> By that logic most presidents and presidential candidates shouldn't be there - because most of them are lawyers, and lawyer is the second most psychopathic occupation. http://time.com/32647/which-professions-have-the-most-psychopaths-the-fewest/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_Presidents\_of\_the\_United\_States\_by\_occupation It depends on the kind of lawyer. Litigators are probably the worst. But they are beaten out by business entrepreneurs and corporate executives, IMO. Lois ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 6:16am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/8 "2015-08-16T06:16:10Z")
> I think that definition can be boiled down to, people who feel an Ends Justifies The Means approach to a problem is legitimate. And that certainly includes CEOs and capitalists in general, but also religionists, for example who feel it's ok to bomb an abortion clinic. So for religionists it's "God's word at any cost", and for CEOs/capitalists it's "Profit at any cost". Yes, absolutely. However, when religionists engage in violence it isn't for "god's word," which doesn't exist, it's their own twisted "word" that motivates them. It just plays better if they attribute it to "god". Lois ---
**Author:** ![hazelnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bbce88/32.png) [@hazelnut](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/hazelnut)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 7:16am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/9 "2015-08-16T07:16:29Z")
> I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label "psychopath". The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO's in their previous occupations. Nixon? He was paranoid, unlikable, and creepy (I'm guessing) but he failed too much and lacked charm to be a psychopath. Bill Clinton is probably a psychopath, possibly JFK as well. And if you are going to classify Bill and JFK as psychopaths, then I think you would have to include all likable men who ever have sexual dalliances while in wedlock, and lie about it to, or conceal it from the public. In that case, there are an awful lot of psychopaths.Its not necessarily that; according to their biographers both of them could easily manipulate people around them to meet their goals, and rationalize their damaging behavior no matter what. AFAIK, those are dominate traits in psychopathic personalities. ---
**Author:** ![hazelnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bbce88/32.png) [@hazelnut](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/hazelnut)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 7:18am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/10 "2015-08-16T07:18:59Z")
> By that logic most presidents and presidential candidates shouldn't be there - because most of them are lawyers, and lawyer is the second most psychopathic occupation. http://time.com/32647/which-professions-have-the-most-psychopaths-the-fewest/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_Presidents\_of\_the\_United\_States\_by\_occupation But they are beaten out by **business entrepreneurs** and corporate executives, IMO. LoisWhy do you hate life? ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/11 "2015-08-16T12:47:52Z")
> By that logic most presidents and presidential candidates shouldn't be there - because most of them are lawyers, and lawyer is the second most psychopathic occupation. http://time.com/32647/which-professions-have-the-most-psychopaths-the-fewest/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_Presidents\_of\_the\_United\_States\_by\_occupation But they are beaten out by **business entrepreneurs** and corporate executives, IMO. LoisWhy do you hate life? That's bad use of logic mid-atlantic. You can't take a statistic of a large population and apply it to a small group and say it will come out the same. ---
**Author:** ![timb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@timb](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/timb)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/12 "2015-08-17T01:24:04Z")
> I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label "psychopath". The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO's in their previous occupations. Nixon? He was paranoid, unlikable, and creepy (I'm guessing) but he failed too much and lacked charm to be a psychopath. Bill Clinton is probably a psychopath, possibly JFK as well. And if you are going to classify Bill and JFK as psychopaths, then I think you would have to include all likable men who ever have sexual dalliances while in wedlock, and lie about it to, or conceal it from the public. In that case, there are an awful lot of psychopaths.Its not necessarily that; according to their biographers both of them could easily manipulate people around them to meet their goals, and rationalize their damaging behavior no matter what. AFAIK, those are dominate traits in psychopathic personalities. I don't think that being likable and able to "manipulate" others could, by themselves, be characteristics that would define someone as a "psychopath". I think that they would ALSO have to use these skill sets to primarily be meeting their own aims without regard to the harm caused to others, overall. e.g., a great leader might be likable, and be able to easily get others to do what he wants, and might even take actions that are harmful to some, but still is in the best interest of the larger society. And that great leader would, I think, not necessarily be a psychopath. ---
**Author:** ![yosemitesam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7feea3/32.png) [@yosemitesam](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/yosemitesam)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/13 "2015-08-18T14:25:38Z")
> I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label "psychopath". The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO's in their previous occupations. How does Bush fail your list? ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/14 "2015-08-18T19:57:33Z")
> By that logic most presidents and presidential candidates shouldn't be there - because most of them are lawyers, and lawyer is the second most psychopathic occupation. http://time.com/32647/which-professions-have-the-most-psychopaths-the-fewest/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_Presidents\_of\_the\_United\_States\_by\_occupation But they are beaten out by **business entrepreneurs** and corporate executives, IMO. LoisWhy do you hate life? I don't. i dislike psychopathic behavior. Also people who use strawman tactics. Lois ---
**Author:** ![loisl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/loisl/32/18_2.png) [@loisl](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/loisl)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/15 "2015-08-18T20:09:48Z")
When the word psychopath is used in this context it is to describe psychopathic tendencies, which several presidents and many politicians demonstrate. Actual psychopathy goes much further. It would be appropriate to call Hitler a psychopath. TimB says no presidents were primarily CEOs (so far, anyway). That’s because few have run and I doubt any would have been elected. That could change of course. In addition, CEO types are generally mercenary enough to stay where the money is. Donald Trump excluded. He must be thinking he can make a killing moneywise by being president. Either that or he’s a megalomaniac along with his psycopathic tendencies-- an extremely explosive combination. Lois ---
**Author:** ![timb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@timb](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/timb)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths/4470/16 "2015-08-18T22:23:03Z")
> I was trying to think of a President in my lifetime, from Eisenhower forward, who might fit the label "psychopath". The only one that I think (maybe?) fits the bill, would be Nixon. He was, BTW, a lawyer. But none of those Presidents were primarily CEO's in their previous occupations. How does Bush fail your list? I think that W was a puppet of the psychopath, Cheney. Bush (W) himself? I suppose that is debatable. For some reason I didn't really think about him. Weird.