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Recent news headlines reminded me of a study suggesting that up to 21% of CEOs may be psychopaths. The disturbing statistic comes from research by Katarina Fritzon, a professor at Australia’s Bond University, and her then-graduate student, Nathan Brooks.
Their 2016 paper, “Psychopathic personality characteristics amongst high functioning populations,” published in Crime Psychology Review, found that one in five corporate executives exhibited psychopathic traits, such as egocentricity, insincerity, and a lack of empathy or remorse.
“We’ve looked at around 1,000 people, and the supply chain management study that involved 261 corporate professionals — was the most interesting,” Brooks told ABC. “For psychopaths, it [corporate success] is a game, and they don’t mind if they violate morals. It is about getting where they want in the company and having dominance over others,” he added speaking to The Telegraph.
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Brooks also highlighted the term “successful psychopath,” which emerged in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis. According to APS, “The successful psychopath may engage in unethical and illegal business practices and have a toxic impact on other employees.”
However, the study was temporarily retracted following an investigation at the authors’ university. Retraction Watch reported that Fritzon had unintentionally paraphrased another student instead of Brooks, attributing mistake to “carelessness.” After removing the problematic parts, co-authors resubmitted the paper.
Despite the controversy, the study continues to raise vital questions about psychopathy among CEOs. If you suspect that your CEO might be a psychopath, consider reading “Psychopath Free” by Jackson MacKenzie.
Have you ever been in a relationship with a psychopath? Chances are, even if you did, you would never know it. Psychopaths are cunning charmers and master manipulators, to the point where you start to accept the most extreme behaviors as normal…Even if it hurts you.
All around us, every single day, human beings devoid of empathy are wreaking havoc and destroying lives in the coldest, most heartless ways imaginable. In constant pursuit of money, sex, influence, or simple entertainment, psychopaths will do whatever it takes to gain power over others. They hide behind a veil of normalcy, arranging their friends and partners like pawns in a game of chess.
Using false praise and flattery to get what they want, they can lure any unsuspecting target into a relationship. Once hooked, their charming promises spin into mind games and psychological torture. Victims are left devastated and confused, unable to recognize—or even put into words—the nightmare that just took place.
Written from the heart, “Psychopath Free” is the first guide for survivors written by a survivor, offering hope for healing and thriving after psychopathic abuse. Say goodbye to the chaos, self-doubt, and victimization. You are free.
Complement “Psychopath Free” with two beautiful poems in praise of insanity by Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman.
I’m a freelance writer with 6 years of experience in SEO blogging and article publishing. While you’re here, get the latest updates by subscribing to my newsletter.
