PROFILE OF A SOCIOPATH
This is an old article that reflects on certain Baptist preachers. Although I have never been under a preacher like this, I have experienced firsthand such Baptist preachers, who have these problems, and you may have witnessed the same. Unfortunately, such men mistake these character flaws to be leadership. It is not necessary that one possess every one of these negative characteristics, but the pattern is clear. – Herb Evans
Diotrephes
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. – 3 John 1:9, 10
Under inner stress, such a personality may become alienated from hisrealself-molding himself to a being of absolute perfection. This Godlike perfection can fulfill the image of him and satisfy his pride. He desperately needs self confidence or — a substitute for it. Living in a competitive society (andfeeling at the bottom of it) he can only develop an urgent need to lifthimself above the others.
Gradually and unconsciously, the imagination sets to work and creates in his mind an idealized image of himself. He endows himself with unlimited powers and exalted faculties. — He becomes a hero, a genius, a supreme lover, a saint, a god.
Aggressiveness (pushing; self-assertiveness) becomes: strength, leadership, heroism, omnipotence. Aloofness becomes: wisdom, self-sufficiency, independence. He is driven to a search for glory, a need for perfection, and a need for vindictive (revengeful; inclined to hold grudges) triumph.
He is driven toward external success. He is bent on becoming the best or the greatest saint or greatest athlete or greatest preacher. He acquires vindictive triumph by putting others to shame or defeating them; inflicting suffering on them; humiliating them. It is referred to as "vindictive" because themotivatingforce stems from impulses to take revenge for humiliations suffered in childhood, i.e., Hitler is a good example of a person who went through humiliation and gave his whole life to a fanatical desire to triumph over an ever increasing mass of people.
He must come out victorious in any argument, regardless of where the truth lies. The compulsiveness of such a neurotic personality's need for supremacy makes him indifferent to truth, whether concerning himself, others, or facts. There may be a glow or elation over the favorable reception of some work done, over a victory won, over any sign of recognition or admiration — But — it does not last.
He uses endless ways of disregarding evidence which he does not choose to see. Heforgets; it doesn’t count; it was an accident; others provoked him; he couldn’t helpit. He credits himself only with favorable evidence and professes ignorance of the other.
He feels entitled to special attention, consideration, and deference on the part of others. His wishes and desires turn intoclaims. His need to always be right entitleshim never to be criticized, doubted, or questioned. Such a power ridden personality feels entitled to blind obedience,
Benefits accruing from laws or regulations, for example, are taken for granted, but it is felt as unfair when they turn out to be disadvantageous. The mere words "rules," "necessities," or "restrictions" may make himshudder. In theirworld, everything is possible to them. The recognition of any rule applying to them would pull themdown from theirloftyworld intoactuality, where they would be subject to the same natural laws as anybody else.
Unable to face the precariousness (depending on the wilt of another) of his life as a human being, he develops claims of his inviolability, or claims of being anointed, of luck (or God) always being on his side.
He cannot tolerate anyone who knows or achieves more than he does, wields more power, or questions his superiority. He has to drag his rival down to defeat him. Even if he subordinates himself for the sake of his career, he is scheming for ultimate triumph.Manifestations of his vindictiveness are violent rages. He can even frighten himself when out of control in one of these rages. The fear is of possibly causingirreparable damages i.e., hurting or possibly killing. He is always suspicious of others.He will use people as a means to an end. He frequently makes and maintains contacts on the basis of their serving his need for triumph. He is attracted to people he can use as stepping stones in his career. Followers who give him blind recognition augment his power.
He is a master at frustrating others. He frustrates their hopes, needs for attention, reassurance, time, company, and enjoyment.He must treasure and keep alive any injuries received, whether ancient or recent. This is his bill to present the world. It is important to him not to need others. He acquires a "godlike" self sufficiency.
He is too proud to ask for anything. To be on the receiving end of anything is humiliating. His pride never allows him to feel hurt. In his mind, a wrong done turns into a right for wrath and a right to punish the wrong-doer.
His pride won't allow him to admit that he is in actual fact -afraid of people. He is afraid others may retaliate for what he does to them. He is afraid that they may interfere with plans he has with them if he goes to far. He is afraid of their power to hurt his pride. He is afraid because in order to justify his hostility, he must over emphasize the hostility of others. To just deny these fears to himself is not enough to eliminate them. He needs more powerful assurance,
He has great pride in his honesty, fairness, and justice. Needless to say, he is neitherhonest, fair, nor just andcannot possibly be so. He is determined to bluff his way(unconsciously) with disregard for the truth.
There are times when he feels a need for being loved. He then hates himself for this weakness. When he hates himself, he feels himselfas unlovable. His attitude is "It is out of the question that they should love me; they hate me anyhow, so they should at least be afraid of me."
He has little,if any, sympathy for others. He is envious of others. He is infuriated by someone always being cheerful. He feels that they want to humiliate him by flaunting their happiness in his face. He wants to kill the joy of others. He is emotionally cold, towards others, but is driven by a great passion for his work. Because of empty-ness outside of work, every hour not spent on work is deemed lost. Work does not tire him. He appears as a well oiled machine. He does, however, not enjoy his work. He is incapable of enjoying anything. As a teacher or social worker, he is only interested in the mechanics and success, rather than the children or clients.
He cannot give credit to others, but he will appropriate the ideas of others (unawares). He has a great capacity for careful and minute planning and will have a fairly clearvision of futuredevelopments. In hisown mind, hispredictions are always correct. He may, therefore, be a good organizer. The factors detracting from this are:
1. He has difficulty in delegating work because of his contempt for others, he is convinced that he is the only one who can do things right.
2. He tends to employ dictatorial methods: to intimidate; exploit rather thanstimulate; he would rather kill joy rather than kindle it.
Because of long range planning, he can stand temporary setbacks, but in serious test situations, he may panic. Possible defeat is frightening. He feels, however, that he should be above fear. He then might get violently angry at himselffor being afraid (DEFEAT). Upon examination, he may get violently angry at those who presume to sit in judgment of him. He usually suppresses these emotions, resulting in headaches, intestinal cramps, palpitations of the heart, etc. Finally,he is terrifiedof criticism, rejection, or desertion.
The outstanding characteristics of such a personality may be: greatrisk taking, mimicking of good behavior, lack of conscience, lack of guilt, lack of empathy, love, and feeling.
Notes adapted from "Our Inner Conflicts" and "Neurosis and Human Growth" by Karen Horney, M.D.