# Psychopaths: Unchecked as other's pet project? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 5, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923 "2013-04-05T14:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/1 "2013-04-05T14:38:46Z")
It’s become obvious to me that Psychopaths are everywhere. Some are allowed to thrive because they are surrounded by people who aren’t as bat shit crazy , but ultimately want the same goal as the Psycho. So they allow them to do what they do. Think wall street bankers. No, that guy in accounting might not want to kick grandma out of her house, but, he does like money and Jim has no prob doing the dirty work. So I’m reading up on the Rutgers University Mike Rice thing. After watching video and seeing the eyes in his pictures and interview it is clear that he is a Psychopath. This became apparent to the school admin earlier and he was sent to “treatment”. The number one thing the guy said was “he thought he could be rehabiliated”. Keep in mind “rehabilitation” is a strong word. In fact that’s what prison is for (supposedly). Also, the Rutger’s team wasn’t even winning. It reminded me of my pyscho coach in highschool. Though a lot of us stopped playing, and lawyers were even called on this guy. It wasn’t until he hurled a racial slur at a guys mother (by this time it was the second sport he was coaching)- and was about to get beat to a pulp - that the administration thought “ohhh maybe we should fire him”. So, I know Psychos are supposed to be charming and manipulative etc. But, are the ones who get caught time and time again , thus meaning they are not as smooth as they think, really allowed to thrive because other people feel the need to adopt them as pet projects? You know, “oh look at this guy, he was kicking the players in the shins and punching them in the face , and now he’s just doing his job like I pay him to do. Yayyy Me!” ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/2 "2013-04-05T18:34:44Z")
People are people. If someone’s got the personality that allows him to execute an unpleasant job, then he’s a good fit for the position. Other times, unpleasant people are not fired simply because nobody’s got the stones to fire them. PS: Looking at someone’s eyes only gives you an idea about the color of the eyes and possibly what kind of mood they are in or want to project. Whether or not they have an empathy deficiency is not readily apparent. ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/3 "2013-04-05T18:46:17Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > People are people. If someone’s got the personality that allows him to execute an unpleasant job, then he’s a good fit for the position. Other times, unpleasant people are not fired simply because nobody’s got the stones to fire them. > > PS: Looking at someone’s eyes only gives you an idea about the color of the eyes and possibly what kind of mood they are in or want to project. Whether or not they have an empathy deficiency is not readily apparent. Hmmm regarding telling things by the eyes, that up for debate: [http://www.magazine.tcu.edu/Magazine/Article.aspx?ArticleId=513](http://www.magazine.tcu.edu/Magazine/Article.aspx?ArticleId=513) But anyway…so..abusive/psychopaths that are NOT effective at their jobs are enabled by cowards who often times are above them in rank…Makes sense. still sad for the human race. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/4 "2013-04-05T18:48:21Z")
I’ve been accused of being a sociopath, which is similar to a psychopath, but I’m not. Not a sociopath or a psychopath, that is. (And no, I’m not just lying about it.) My point is, it’s easy to mis-diagnose someone. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/5 "2013-04-05T18:59:53Z")
> [@SleuFeets](#): > > Hmmm regarding telling things by the eyes, that up for debate: > [http://www.magazine.tcu.edu/Magazine/Article.aspx?ArticleId=513](http://www.magazine.tcu.edu/Magazine/Article.aspx?ArticleId=513) - Pulls up a lawnchair, opens a beer, waits \* ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/6 "2013-04-05T19:09:59Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > - Pulls up a lawnchair, opens a beer, waits \* waits for what? I provided a link. It’s your turn to comment. IF you want a debate. _puts on headphones, raises eyebrows_ ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/7 "2013-04-05T19:12:46Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > I’ve been accused of being a sociopath, which is similar to a psychopath, but I’m not. Not a sociopath or a psychopath, that is. (And no, I’m not just lying about it.) > > My point is, it’s easy to mis-diagnose someone. Is it? If you’ve been called a sociopath, or psychopath for that matter, on more than one occasion by different people (if that was the case) then perhaps you ..might want to look into it. Anyway, once people reveal themselves to be psychopaths - in need of rehabilitation - that pretty much closes the case. ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/8 "2013-04-05T19:18:02Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > - Pulls up a lawnchair, opens a beer, waits \* Ahhh I get it now. lol.. This place is so funny. From the little time I’ve been here , a common theme is to announce: “ohhh wait to the other’s guys get here! boy are you in for it” lol… it’s cute. So, did \*you \* specifically want to talk about face recognition? Or were you just doing the “wait to the rest of the guys hear this” ..ala grade school move? ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/9 "2013-04-05T19:19:08Z")
Just because people do bad, violent or anti-social things (or because \*\*you \*\* perceive their actions as bad, violent or anti-social) doesn’t make them a psychopath. Sometimes they’re just bad people and somethings they’re just assholes. StG ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/10 "2013-04-05T19:22:15Z")
Seriously, the only thing physiognomy can tell you about someone is whether they like tattoos, whether they get beat up a lot, whether they spend time in the sun, etc. Thoughts and feelings take place well behind and a little above the eyes in a seperate organ. Physiognomy & phrenology are pseudoscientific BS. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/11 "2013-04-05T19:23:26Z")
I heard Wayne LaPierre in a mini-debate on the radio a few years ago, at which time I became convinced that he is a psychopath. His recent mad ravings are only consistent with that. Yet, he’s been prominent in the NRA scene for many years and remains so. Somehow, he’s managing to get along unchecked. ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/12 "2013-04-05T19:24:20Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Just because people do bad, violent or anti-social things (or because \*\*you \*\* perceive their actions as bad, violent or anti-social) doesn’t make them a psychopath. Sometimes they’re just bad people and somethings they’re just assholes. > > StG MMMmmm. But isn’t this enabling that I’m talking about? The main example I gave was a coach who kicked, pushed, emotionally abused, and threw things at his players heads. All comments provided in response while not in favor, where not against the behavior… There’s a difference between an asshole and someone who violently punishes people that are under their authority at a moment’s whim. ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/13 "2013-04-05T19:30:36Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > Seriously, the only thing physiognomy can tell you about someone is whether they like tattoos, whether they get beat up a lot, whether they spend time in the sun, etc. Thoughts and feelings take place well behind and a little above the eyes in a seperate organ. Physiognomy & phrenology are pseudoscientific BS. Several ancient practices can be neither “debunked” or “proven” by modern westernized medicine. The debate would be cyclical, as I’m not one to believe that westernized medicine knows everything. And there’s enough evidence to prove that this is a fact. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/14 "2013-04-05T19:37:46Z")
> [@SleuFeets](#): > > There’s a difference between an asshole and someone who violently punishes people that are under their authority at a moment’s whim. [Not without a psychological diagnosis, there isn’t.](http://www.psychologytoday.com/?q=blog/sports-transgressions/201304/abusive-coaching-is-not-about-anger-it-s-about-approach) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/15 "2013-04-05T19:40:24Z")
This kind of coaching used to be more common. This guy probably grew up with coaches like that. It doesn’t make him a psychopath. Maybe he is anyway, but you can’t tell just from that kind of coaching. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/16 "2013-04-05T19:40:29Z")
> [@SleuFeets](#): > > MMMmmm. But isn’t this enabling that I’m talking about? The main example I gave was a coach who kicked, pushed, emotionally abused, and threw things at his players heads. All comments provided in response while not in favor, where not against the behavior… > > There’s a difference between an asshole and someone who violently punishes people that are under their authority at a moment’s whim. Times and expectations change. I’m guessing you’re pretty young. Have you ever seen films with drill sergeants who basically did the same with recruits? It was expected, and sort of bragged about after Basic. (“You think _your_ drill sergeant was tough? Mine made us eat live kittens while going on a 50 mile hike carrying two field packs!”) Nuns used to hit kids with rulers. Emotional abuse? Give me a break. People these days expect to be treated with respect, to be nurtured. Not a bad thing, but there was a time when achieving the goal was more important, and what it took to get there was incidental. People deserve to be treated with respect. However, people are a product of their environment, and I wouldn’t be surprised that as a player, Rice wasn’t subject to the same treatment as he gave. StG ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/17 "2013-04-05T19:41:22Z")
> [@SleuFeets](#): > > There’s a difference between an asshole and someone who violently punishes people that are under their authority at a moment’s whim. Not really. Unless you want to completely dilute the meaning of psychopath. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/18 "2013-04-05T19:41:25Z")
I don’t think the term psychopath is used clinically anymore, and the more-or-less replacement term sociopath is thrown around so often that it barely means anything at all. (From a lay perspective, at least. I don’t mean that it means nothing to therapists.) I think it’s better to keep things simple: I don’t know that Mike Rice is a sociopath and at first blush I think that term is much too grandiose. He’s a bully and a selfish asshole. > [@SleuFeets](#): > > Is it? If you’ve been called a sociopath, or psychopath for that matter, on more than one occasion by different people (if that was the case) then perhaps you ..might want to look into it. If she actually had antisocial personality disorder, she probably wouldn’t care. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SleuFeets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SleuFeets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleuFeets)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/19 "2013-04-05T19:49:25Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > [Not without a psychological diagnosis, there isn’t.](http://www.psychologytoday.com/?q=blog/sports-transgressions/201304/abusive-coaching-is-not-about-anger-it-s-about-approach) Hmm. Why is it all angry coaches who abuse their players talk about it as a different approach despite results. Mike Rice is no Bobby Knight. it also seems as if this guy is a (male - anger) apologist. Coaches are not taught to coach he provides as a reasoning? Well, they are adults, so maybe they should learn how to win without abusing our children. I mean that HAS to be an option, hasn’t it? Either way, the article wasn’t a diagnoses. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923/20 "2013-04-05T19:52:59Z")
> [@SleuFeets](#): > > Either way, the article wasn’t a diagnoses. Apparently my point was invisible. > [@Mitch Abrams](#): > > Do I believe that abusive coaches want to hurt their players? Maybe in the moment when they are frustrated and feel like their players aren’t following their lead, to learn to be better players. Overall, I think they want to win more than anything else. Wanting to win at all costs does not a psychopath make and I’ll put my trust in someone with a Doctorate of Psychology rather than some random goof on a message board. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychopaths-unchecked-as-others-pet-project/654923.md?page=2)