Thursday, December 4, 2008

Profile of the Sociopath

It is impossible for us, as normal human beings with a conscience, to understand how the other half (plus?) lives, to understand how these financial predators operate or look in the mirror and feel good about themselves.

When a sociopath is in the guardianship business or any position of trust as an agent of the court or fiduciary and also, look at some judges, they win - we lose.

From experience and observation, I have concluded that we are surrounded by people who fit the descriptions of a sociopath. Not all sociopaths go criminal, but when they do, look out, they have the advantage as predator over their prey.

In our case, Aunt Helen's temporary guardian fit the profile of a sociopath 100%. In my Victim Impact Statement during the sentencing hearing, I used the term "sociopath", I have no regrets and I was right.

We need to know what and who we are up against, we need to know our enemies.

Here is a brief summary, anyone find the character FLAWS familiar?:

* Glibness and Superficial Charm

* Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

* Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

* Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

* Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

* Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

* Incapacity for Love

* Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.

* Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.

* Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.

* Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

* Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.

* Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.

* Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.

* Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

Other Related Qualities:

1. Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
2. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
3. Authoritarian
4. Secretive
5. Paranoid
6. Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
7. Conventional appearance
8. Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
9. Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
10.Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
11.Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
12.Incapable of real human attachment to another
13.Unable to feel remorse or guilt
14.Extreme narcissism and grandiose
15.May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

Source:
Profile of the Sociopath

See also:
From TV to Prison

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think when sociopaths look in the mirror, they always feel good and in fact wish they could carry a mirror around with them all the time.

Feeling good about themselves may be the only "feeling" these people have.

What a lonely life they really lead.

Anonymous said...

How many third party guardians and their attorneys are sociopaths?

I suspect most of them, or they'd be going around with circles under their eyes from not being able to sleep.

Anonymous said...

It's all about them: do and say whatever it takes to get what they want.

Anonymous said...

If you took the checklist and compared it against any lawyer, how would he/she stack up?

I think they have to have a trace of sociopath in them or they wouldn't be in a business to take advantage of people.

Anonymous said...

These greedy sociopaths sleep real well cause they believe they are smart, we are stupid, the world revolves around them, they are special and they are doing a great job, so what's your problem, bunky?

Always blame others, someone else for your mistakes and problems, for your poor judgment or getting caught and let others suffer the consequences of your actions and remember to: LIE, LIE, KEEP LYING. Then you are on your way.

Anonymous said...

In truth, there are more people with personality disorders than we know and sociopaths have a long list of character flaws that make me tremble.

I think this blog has prime examples of sociopaths and worse as the offenders in these stories posted to this blog and many of them are guardians in positions of trust acting with court approval.

Remember, Sociopaths are never fixed or cured and they are always watching, they walk amongst us.

Watch your back!

Anonymous said...

Dancing with the devil.

Anonymous said...

After reading this, YOU nailed Simane to a tee!
I knew her back around the time before & after this happened, though I just learned of her arrest and conviction recently.
The list hits on almost every personality trait I knew of her.
We all wondered how She came in to this money because She rarely had training clients and barely worked period!
The lack of empathy is her trademark, I'm surprised she got off as light as she did. The lady died a pulper!
This was sickening, and to her own relative!
She has ruined many friendships by her behavior and how She fooled the people from the TV show, one will never know. Award winning trainer ???
All she did was show a dog in agility, that makes her a award winning trainer? Geesh!
We always felt bad for her dogs, God knows what they've been put through too.

Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for your perspective.

Most people are not able to find out the truth about a person or a situation, but in this sad sorry case you now know the end of the story that changed many lives forever.

Count yourself as one of the very fortunate ones who didn't end up becoming one of her many victims.

Anonymous said...

Currently, Kathy's been stealing photography & passing them off as her own work at her own business. When trying to track her down for the cease & desist letter, it led me to this page. I'm absolutely horrified to learn just how extreme her abuse has truly been for every one around her.

Anonymous said...

Currently, Kathy's been stealing photography & passing them off as her own work at her own business. When trying to track her down for the cease & desist letter, it led me to this page. I'm absolutely horrified to learn just how extreme her abuse has truly been for everyone around her. My sincerest condolences to the family.

Anonymous said...

Currently, Kathy's been stealing photography & passing them off as her own work at her own business. When trying to track her down for the cease & desist letter, it led me to this page. I'm absolutely horrified to learn just how extreme her abuse has truly been for everyone around her. My sincerest condolences to the family.

Sylvia said...

Hello Anonymous Thank you for your comment. I’m so sorry for your situation. I appreciate the update on Kathleen Simane / Larson / Larsen’s current activities. Please consider contacting me, Sylvia, via confidential email message at: Info@StopGuardianAbuse.org. Or PO Box 886, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056.