When most people hear the word "psychopath," they likely think of serial killers, violent criminals, and other dangerous individuals who belong behind bars. However, in his book "The Wisdom of Psychopaths," Kevin Dutton presents a more nuanced and surprising view of psychopathy. He argues that many of the traits associated with psychopaths - such as fearlessness, charm, focus, and cool-headed decision making - can actually be beneficial in certain contexts and careers. In fact, Dutton suggests that a moderate level of psychopathic traits may be advantageous for success in fields like business, politics, law, and high-stress professions.
This book explores the nature of psychopathy, how psychopaths differ from "normal" people, why some psychopaths end up as criminals while others become CEOs, and what lessons we might learn from functional psychopaths to enhance our own lives and careers. It challenges our assumptions about psychopathy and presents a provocative argument that some psychopathic traits, in moderation, can be valuable in our chaotic modern world.
What Makes Someone a Psychopath?
Contrary to popular belief, psychopaths are not all violent criminals. In fact, Dutton explains that 1-2% of the general population could be classified as psychopaths, and many of them are successful professionals rather than inmates. So what exactly defines a psychopath?
On the surface, psychopaths often appear charming, engaging, and entertaining. Many are highly intelligent and articulate. This allows them to blend in and even rise to positions of power and influence in society.
However, beneath the surface, psychopaths lack certain emotional capacities that most people take for granted. Specifically, they do not experience emotions like fear, shame, and guilt. Their brains show abnormalities in the regions responsible for processing emotions.
This lack of fear can be an advantage in many situations. While most people are paralyzed by anxiety when facing risks or challenges, psychopaths remain cool and composed. They don't hesitate to take action or seize opportunities that others might shy away from.
Psychopaths also tend to be mentally agile and shrewd. Combined with their lack of emotional impediments, this allows them to make decisions in a purely rational, utilitarian manner. They coolly weigh costs and benefits without being swayed by moral qualms or emotional reactions.
The Psychopathic Decision-Making Process
To illustrate how psychopaths make decisions differently than most people, Dutton presents a classic ethical dilemma:
Scenario 1: You see a train racing towards five people on the tracks. You can pull a lever to divert the train to another track where it will kill one person instead. Do you pull the lever?
Scenario 2: Same situation, but instead of pulling a lever, you have to physically push a large person off a bridge into the path of the train to stop it from killing the five people. Do you push the person?
Most people will reluctantly agree to pull the lever in scenario 1, but very few would be willing to physically push someone to their death in scenario 2 - even though the outcome is the same in both cases (sacrificing one life to save five).
Psychopaths, on the other hand, have no hesitation in either scenario. They quickly and coolly determine that sacrificing one life to save five is the rational choice, regardless of the method. They are not inhibited by the visceral emotional reaction that most people have to the idea of physically harming someone.
This illustrates how psychopaths can make purely utilitarian decisions without being clouded by emotions or moral qualms. In some situations, this can lead to more rational and beneficial outcomes. However, it can also result in callous and harmful behavior when unchecked by ethical constraints.
Action Over Contemplation
Another key trait of psychopaths is their bias towards action rather than rumination. While most people spend a lot of time deliberating, worrying about consequences, and hesitating to act, psychopaths tend to quickly make decisions and take immediate action.
This stems from several psychopathic traits:
Low tolerance for boredom - They need constant stimulation and activity.
Living in the moment - They focus on immediate gratification rather than long-term planning.
High risk tolerance - They are not deterred by potential negative outcomes.
Lack of regret - Failed actions don't discourage them from trying again.
This action orientation can be an advantage in many situations. While others are paralyzed by indecision, psychopaths forge ahead and seize opportunities. They learn through doing rather than just thinking.
However, this impulsiveness can also lead to reckless and destructive behavior when not tempered by forethought and restraint. The key is finding a balance between decisive action and prudent consideration of consequences.
Psychopathic Traits in Successful People
Interestingly, many of the traits associated with psychopathy are also common among highly successful individuals in fields like business, politics, and high-stress professions. These include:
- Charm and persuasiveness
- Self-confidence
- Cool-headed decision making
- Action orientation
- High stress tolerance
- Living in the moment
Dutton cites a study that found many of these "positive" psychopathic traits were actually more prevalent among executives and politicians than among convicted criminals. The criminals tended to display more of the antisocial and impulsive aspects of psychopathy.
This suggests that a moderate level of psychopathic traits, when combined with impulse control and ethical constraints, can be highly advantageous for achieving power and success in competitive fields.
Some examples of successful people who likely had psychopathic tendencies include:
John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton - Both scored high on psychopathic traits in a study of US presidents.
Many CEOs and high-powered executives
Surgeons and emergency responders
Special forces soldiers
High-stakes investors and traders
The key difference between these functional psychopaths and criminal psychopaths is the ability to selectively activate psychopathic traits when beneficial, while suppressing destructive impulses.
The Psychopathic Brain and "Flow" States
One of the most intriguing findings Dutton discusses is the similarity between the brain activity of psychopaths and that of people in "flow" states.
Flow, a concept developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, refers to a state of complete absorption in the present moment and the task at hand. It is characterized by intense focus, loss of self-consciousness, and peak performance.
Interestingly, brain scans of people in flow states show reduced activity in areas associated with self-doubt, fear of failure, and inner criticism - much like the brains of psychopaths.
This suggests that psychopaths may naturally exist in a state similar to flow, unburdened by the anxieties and self-doubt that plague most people. This allows them to fully engage with the present moment and act decisively without hesitation.
Dutton argues that this capacity for flow-like states gives psychopaths an edge in high-pressure situations where others might choke or freeze up. It allows them to perform at their peak when the stakes are highest.
Some examples where this trait would be advantageous:
- A surgeon performing a complex, life-or-death operation
- A soldier in the heat of combat
- An executive making critical decisions during a crisis
- An athlete competing at the highest level
While most people have to work hard to achieve flow states through practice and mental training, psychopaths seem to access this state naturally and effortlessly.
Psychopathic Traits in Modern Society
Dutton argues that many psychopathic traits are becoming increasingly prevalent and even normalized in younger generations. He cites several factors contributing to this trend:
The rise of social media and "virtual" relationships, leading to less empathy and emotional connection.
Increased exposure to violence and antisocial behavior through media and video games.
Celebrity culture that often glorifies narcissistic and psychopathic behavior.
A fast-paced, high-pressure society that rewards ruthless competition and self-promotion.
Studies have shown that traits like narcissism, competitiveness, and lack of empathy have been steadily increasing among college students over recent decades. At the same time, compassion and concern for others have declined.
This suggests that our modern world may be selecting for and amplifying psychopathic traits in the general population. While this trend has some concerning implications, it also means that more people are developing the mental toughness and cool-headed rationality needed to thrive in a chaotic, high-pressure environment.
Learning from Functional Psychopaths
Given the advantages that some psychopathic traits can confer, Dutton argues that we can learn valuable lessons from functional psychopaths to enhance our own lives and performance. Some key takeaways:
Cultivate fearlessness - Learn to act decisively in the face of risk and uncertainty.
Develop laser focus - Practice tuning out distractions and immersing yourself fully in the present moment.
Enhance charm and persuasiveness - Hone your social skills to win people over.
Make rational decisions - Learn to set aside emotional reactions and weigh costs/benefits objectively.
Take action - Stop overthinking and start doing. Learn through experience.
Build stress resilience - Develop the ability to stay calm and perform under pressure.
Boost confidence - Cultivate an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities.
The goal is not to become a full-fledged psychopath, but rather to selectively adopt beneficial psychopathic traits in moderation. The key is maintaining ethical constraints and the ability to turn these traits on or off as appropriate to the situation.
Techniques for Developing Psychopathic Traits
Dutton discusses several methods for cultivating some of the beneficial traits associated with psychopathy:
Meditation - Regular meditation practice can help develop the ability to focus intensely on the present moment and disengage from anxious thoughts about the past or future.
Cognitive reframing - Learn to consciously reframe threatening situations as exciting challenges rather than sources of fear.
Exposure therapy - Gradually expose yourself to feared situations to build confidence and reduce anxiety over time.
Power posing - Adopting powerful body language can boost confidence and reduce stress hormones.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation - This technique can temporarily simulate psychopathic brain activity, potentially offering insight into the psychopathic mindset.
Mental rehearsal - Visualize yourself succeeding in high-pressure situations to build confidence and reduce anxiety.
The key is consistent practice to rewire your default emotional and cognitive responses over time. With dedicated effort, it's possible to cultivate greater fearlessness, focus, and stress resilience.
The Importance of Ethical Constraints
While Dutton makes a compelling case for the potential benefits of psychopathic traits, he also emphasizes the critical importance of ethical constraints and impulse control.
Criminal psychopaths lack the ability to selectively activate or suppress their psychopathic tendencies. They are at the mercy of their impulses and often end up causing harm to themselves and others.
Functional psychopaths, on the other hand, have developed the ability to compartmentalize. They can tap into their psychopathic traits when beneficial (e.g. staying cool under pressure at work) while suppressing destructive impulses in other contexts (e.g. maintaining healthy personal relationships).
This underscores the importance of coupling psychopathic traits with strong ethical principles and self-control. The goal should be to harness the benefits of these traits while mitigating the potential for harm.
Some strategies for maintaining ethical constraints:
Develop a clear personal code of ethics and regularly reflect on your values.
Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your impulses and choose your responses consciously.
Cultivate empathy through volunteering, mentoring, or other prosocial activities.
Seek feedback from trusted friends/family to maintain perspective.
Set clear boundaries between professional and personal contexts.
The most successful functional psychopaths are those who can seamlessly switch between cool rationality in high-stakes professional situations and warmth/empathy in personal relationships.
Psychopathic Traits in Different Professions
Dutton explores how different combinations of psychopathic traits can be advantageous in various career paths:
Business executives - Charm, confidence, cool decision-making, and ruthless pursuit of goals can drive corporate success. However, too much psychopathy can lead to unethical behavior and corporate scandals.
Politicians - Charisma, persuasiveness, and thick skin in the face of criticism are major assets. But unchecked psychopathy can result in corruption and abuse of power.
Lawyers - Ability to remain emotionally detached, argue persuasively, and make tough decisions serves lawyers well. Ethical constraints are crucial to avoid misconduct.
Surgeons - Steady hands, split-second decision making, and lack of squeamishness are vital. Too little empathy can damage patient relations.
Special forces - Fearlessness, laser focus, and peak performance under extreme stress are essential. Strict training and codes of conduct keep destructive impulses in check.
Firefighters/emergency responders - Ability to rush into danger and make life-or-death choices quickly is critical. Strong ethical drive to help others balances psychopathic traits.
Stock traders - Willingness to take big risks and remain calm during market volatility is advantageous. Lack of ethics can lead to fraud and market manipulation.
The key in any profession is finding the right balance of psychopathic traits to drive peak performance while maintaining ethical behavior and healthy relationships.
Nature vs. Nurture in Psychopathy
An important question Dutton explores is the extent to which psychopathy is innate versus developed through environment and experience. The answer appears to be a combination of both nature and nurture.
There is clearly a genetic component to psychopathy. Brain scans show clear differences in the neural structures and activity of psychopaths compared to the general population. Many psychopathic traits emerge early in childhood, suggesting an innate predisposition.
However, environmental factors also play a major role in determining whether someone with psychopathic tendencies becomes a functional member of society or a dangerous criminal.
Factors that can push someone towards criminal psychopathy include:
- Childhood abuse or trauma
- Lack of parental attachment/nurturing
- Exposure to violence and antisocial behavior
- Substance abuse
- Lack of positive role models and support systems
Conversely, protective factors that can help channel psychopathic traits in positive directions include:
- Stable, nurturing home environment
- Strong ethical/religious upbringing
- Access to education and opportunities
- Positive mentors and role models
- Channels for prosocial behavior (e.g. team sports, community service)
This suggests that early intervention and environmental enrichment may help steer those with psychopathic predispositions towards becoming functional, successful members of society rather than criminals.
It also means that those without an innate psychopathic disposition can still cultivate some of the advantageous traits through dedicated practice and environmental conditioning.
The Spectrum of Psychopathy
Rather than a binary classification, Dutton emphasizes that psychopathy exists on a spectrum. Everyone falls somewhere on this spectrum, with only those at the extreme end qualifying for an official diagnosis of psychopathy.
Factors that determine where someone falls on the spectrum include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Early childhood experiences
- Environmental influences
- Personal choices and habits over time
Most people cluster around the middle of the spectrum, with a mix of empathic and psychopathic traits. A small percentage are extremely high in empathy and prosocial behavior. Another small percentage are diagnosable psychopaths.
Interestingly, many of the most successful people tend to fall in the "sweet spot" of moderate psychopathic traits - enough to confer mental toughness and cool rationality, but not so much as to completely erode empathy and ethics.
This spectrum model suggests that psychopathic traits are not inherently good or bad, but rather tools that can be used constructively or destructively depending on the individual and context.
Psychopathy in Leadership
Throughout history, many of the most influential leaders have displayed psychopathic traits. This is true across fields like politics, business, science, and the arts.
Some examples Dutton discusses:
- Napoleon Bonaparte - Fearless, charismatic, and ruthlessly ambitious
- Winston Churchill - Supremely confident and able to make tough decisions under immense pressure
- Steve Jobs - Visionary, persuasive, and often ruthless in pursuit of his goals
- Margaret Thatcher - Cool and decisive, earning the nickname "Iron Lady"
These leaders were able to make difficult choices, take bold action, and persevere in the face of intense opposition - all hallmarks of psychopathic fearlessness and cool rationality.
However, Dutton notes that the most effective leaders balance psychopathic traits with genuine concern for others and strong ethical principles. Pure psychopaths often flame out spectacularly or cause massive harm.
The ideal leader can tap into psychopathic traits like fearlessness and decisive action when needed, while also displaying empathy, ethics, and concern for the greater good. This allows them to make tough choices for the right reasons.
Psychopathy in Different Cultures
While psychopathy appears to exist across all human cultures, its specific manifestations and social implications can vary significantly between societies.
In highly individualistic Western cultures, psychopathic traits like self-promotion and ruthless ambition may be more accepted and even rewarded in professional contexts.
In more collectivist Eastern cultures, these same traits may be viewed much more negatively as selfish and antisocial. However, the cool rationality and emotional control of psychopaths may be more aligned with cultural ideals in some Asian societies.
Some indigenous cultures have specific cultural roles that may attract those with psychopathic traits - for example, fearless warriors or shamans who engage in extreme rituals.
Dutton argues that every society needs a certain percentage of psychopathic individuals to drive progress and handle high-stress roles. However, cultural norms and institutions play a big role in determining whether these traits are channeled constructively or destructively.
The Future of Psychopathy
In the final chapter, Dutton speculates on how the role of psychopathy in society may evolve in the coming decades:
Increasing prevalence - Modern society may be selecting for more psychopathic traits, leading to a general increase in the population.
Better identification - Advances in neuroscience and psychological testing may allow earlier and more accurate identification of psychopathic tendencies.
Targeted interventions - This could enable early intervention to help channel psychopathic traits in positive directions.
Performance enhancement - Techniques to temporarily induce psychopathic states (e.g. transcranial stimulation) may become more common for boosting performance in high-pressure situations.
Ethical concerns - This may raise challenging ethical questions about screening for psychopathy and potentially discriminating based on these traits.
Changing norms - As psychopathic traits become more common and openly discussed, social attitudes and workplace cultures may shift to accommodate them.
New challenges - A more psychopathic society may face new social challenges requiring updated ethical frameworks and governance structures.
Ultimately, Dutton argues that psychopathy will remain an important part of the human repertoire of cognitive styles. The key is learning to harness its potential benefits while mitigating its destructive aspects.
Conclusion
"The Wisdom of Psychopaths" challenges our assumptions about psychopathy and presents a nuanced view of how psychopathic traits can be both destructive and highly advantageous depending on the context.
Key takeaways:
Psychopathy exists on a spectrum, with most people falling somewhere in the middle.
Moderate levels of psychopathic traits like fearlessness, charm, and cool rationality can drive success in many fields.
The most effective leaders and professionals balance psychopathic mental toughness with ethics and empathy.
We can learn from functional psychopaths to enhance our own performance in high-pressure situations.
Strong ethical principles and impulse control are crucial to channel psychopathic traits constructively.
Early intervention and environmental factors play a big role in determining whether psychopathic tendencies lead to success or criminality.
Psychopathic traits may become increasingly prevalent and accepted in modern society, raising new ethical challenges.
While not shying away from the very real dangers of unchecked psychopathy, Dutton makes a compelling case that these traits are an important part of the human cognitive toolkit. When properly understood and carefully cultivated, the "wisdom of psychopaths" may help us navigate our chaotic, high-pressure world more effectively.