Jobs Fit for a Psychopath

From the Houston Chronicle via SF Gate:

You might think someone you work with has psychopathic tendencies, but the chances are you're wrong.

The prevalence of psychopaths in the general public is around 1 percent, making it unlikely that you are working with one or a group of psychopaths.

But certain professions are more likely to attract psychopaths than others because of the nature and skills required to do the job successfully, according to an AOL story.

Psychologist Kevin Dutton wrote in his book The Wisdom of Psychopaths: What Saints, Spies, and Serial Killers Can Teach Us About Success about certain job fields that attract psychopaths.

The following jobs have the highest rate of psychopaths, according to Dutton's research:

1. Chief Executive Officer
2. Lawyer
3. Media (Television/Radio)
4. Salesperson
5. Surgeon
6. Journalist
7. Police officer
8. Clergy person
9. Chef
10. Civil servant

The list is scattered across several fields, but Huffington Post blogger Eric Barker notes each of these professions "require an ability to make objective, clinical decisions divorced from feelings." In a more straightforward way, the traits that define psychopaths are also the skills that can make people successful in the workforce.

Psychopathy is an often misdiagnosed mental disorder that is characterized by amoral or antisocial behavior, lack of ability to make emotional bonds and extremely egocentric, according to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

While there are plenty of negatives, The Smithsonian Magazine points out psychopaths typically have some useful traits for the modern world and for the business world.

"Psychopaths don't procrastinate," the magazine reported. "Psychopaths tend to focus on the positive. Psychopaths don't take things personally; they don't beat themselves up if things go wrong, even if they're to blame. And they're pretty cool under pressure."

A 2010 study examined 203 corporate professionals selected for management training to determine whether psychopaths might be overrepresented in the business world, according to a Time Magazine story.

The study, which was conducted by psychologist and executive coach Paul Babiak, found one in 25 bosses may be psychopaths. The mental illness is typically found in about 1 percent of the general population, according to the Toronto Star.

The Guardian reported Babiak's survey suggests "psychopaths are actually poor managerial performers but are adept at climbing the corporate ladder because they can cover up their weaknesses by subtly charming superiors and subordinates."

So what about the other end of the spectrum?

It shouldn't be a shocker that professions that require empathy or emotion had a lower rate of psychopaths. According to Dutton, these professions have the lowest rate of psychopaths.

1. Care aide
2. Nurse
3. Therapist
4. Craftsperson
5. Beautician or stylist
6. Charity worker
7. Teacher
8. Creative artist
9. Doctor
10. Accountant