topic Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD in Community Spirit

Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

nero_bolt — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:27:13 GMT

KEVIN Rudd is "a psychopath with a giant ego" tweeted the ALP's member for Bendigo, Steve Gibbons, last year.

Calling someone a "psychopath" is a provocative and alarming term that shouldn't be thrown around lightly - instantly conjuring up images of Ivan Milat, Charles Manson and John Jarratt in Wolf Creek.

It's also a term that's always fascinated me - as I'm uncomfortable with the idea our everyday lives are intertwined with people who are genuine, clinically diagnosed psychopaths.

And they're out there. In recent times there have been numerous articles written about psychopaths in the workplace - psychologist Robert Hare even wrote a book - Snakes in Suits - about psychopaths in the corporate world.

But what about our newly recycled, unstoppable, vengeance-is-mine Prime Minister Kevin Rudd? Could he actually be a psychopath?

I'm no psychologist, so I spoke with Allan McCay, a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney Law School whose speciality is behavioural genetics and sentencing. If anyone could come close to answering my question, it'd be Allan.

I asked Allan the question straight: Could a psychopath become an Australian Prime Minister? Allan was unequivocal in his answer. "Yes.

There have been plenty of psychopaths in politics - in particular, there's been research into the possibility some American presidents could be classified as psychopaths. Certainly, the research suggests there is some possibility."

A proper diagnosis for psychopathy, however, requires a lot background information and indepth interviews - forensic psychologists would hesitate to make a diagnosis from media reports.

There is also a "psychopathy checklist" -a diagnostic tool to assess for psychopathy and the perquisites make for some eyebrow-raising reading:

All sound like the RECYCLED RUDD

Impulsivity.

Superficial charm.

Grandiosity.

Callousness.

Lack of empathy.

Manipulative.

Pathological lying.

Calmness and lack of anxiety

Unfazed if they're caught out lying

"Some have suggested a psychopath's skills could prove useful in politics," McCay points out. "A lack of empathy when making the tough decisions prime ministers undertake for example.'

But for me, I'm still nervous about the term - particularly when reading the psychopathy checklist.

So what do you think? Sounds very much like the RECYCLED RUDD to me

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

catsnknots — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:48:43 GMT

He will go quick to an election.. to make the most of the forgetful minds....

won't be long and all his traits will shine through.

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

monman12 — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 01:43:43 GMT

NW: "I'm no psychologist, so I spoke with Allan McCay, a PhD candidate"

Did you?, I guess not NW. Why not indicate that a post is nothing more than another persons work "like this" or when it is a C & P reference, the source i.e.

WARREN BROWN The daily Telegraph

Why quote (copy), a law student's comments, when a psychiatrists, with a few years experience would be credible?, or better still, ask a passing a psychologist.

As for your subject "Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics", not exactly a revelation NW,

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

catsnknots — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 02:14:36 GMT

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

bright.ton42 — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:34:30 GMT

NW: "I'm no psychologist, so I spoke with Allan McCay, a PhD candidate"

Did you?, I guess not NW. Why not indicate that a post is nothing more than another persons work "like this" or when it is a C & P reference, the source i.e.

I was about to say exactly the same thing.

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

izabsmiling — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:41:03 GMT

Kevin Gibbons apologised for that

and

for calling Julie Bishop a Bimbo

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

freddie*rooster — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:43:11 GMT

:^O Keep trying :^O

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

izabsmiling — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:44:26 GMT

re Kevin Gibbons

proclaiming on Twitter that Kevin Rudd was a “psychopath”, Tony Abbott a “douchebag”, Julie Bishop a “narcissistic bimbo”, and Australia Day an “Invasion Day” celebrated by “throwing bits of dead animals on a cooking fire just like the people we dispossessed”.

OP would you have that he correct about Kevin Rudd and not the rest ?

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

para-sights — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:46:01 GMT

Those traits best describe Howard

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

***super_nova*** — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:47:41 GMT

As for your subject "Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics", not exactly a revelation NW,

Actually, most people in power exhibit some psychopathic traits; Gina springs to mind, as do many CEOs.

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

windrake — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:27:12 GMT

Impulsivity.

Superficial charm

.Grandiosity

.Callousness.

Lack of empathy

.Manipulative.

Pathological lying.

Calmness and lack of anxiety

Unfazed if they're caught out lying

Yep sounds like Ruddy but he also exhibits classic narcissistic traits. A real charmer to lead the country isn't he.

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

monman12 — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:30:02 GMT

"Yep sounds like Ruddy" And the others from both sides!

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

*new2vintage — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 10:09:16 GMT

Why don't people sling off about Julia or Tony to add some balance ?

Re: Psychopathic traits are useful tools in politics RECYCLED RUDD

azureline** — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 05:49:03 GMT

Why don't people sling off about Julia or Tony to add some balance ?

why? Ms Gillard has had more than enough........

Mr Abbott..... well, I did see this on fb today which made me laugh a bit..... and I don't usually find that kind of thing funny.