01/08/2019

The Research Behind Successful Psychopaths

The most successful are those with a sense of conscientiousness

The hallmark of narcissistic personality disorder is grandiosity. The narcissist harbors a strong sense of entitlement, self-aggrandizing fantasies and a craving for admiration. In severe cases, she may be envious, lacking in empathy and ready to exploit others in the pursuit of her lofty ambitions. Although she can be charismatic and charming, she more often seems self-absorbed, controlling and insensitive. If she feels slighted or ridiculed, she might be provoked into a fit of destructive rage and revenge seeking.

Such a paroxysmal reaction is sometimes called ‘narcissistic rage’ and can have disastrous consequences for all those involved, including the narcissist herself.

In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, both the characters of Lord Henry Wooton and Dorian Gray are strongly narcissistic. Lord Henry’s narcissism is insightful and often quite charming and no doubt similar to that of his creator and alter ego, Oscar Wilde. 

Please select this link to read the complete article from Psychology Today.