Is George W. Bush a psychopath?

[Chichiri]

A poster in a thread about the upcoming Kitty Kelley book stated that the book would reveal the following: George Bush now fits the bill on all 13 characteristics on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist. The Hare Psychopathy Checklist (Revised) actually contains 20 items; there is a PCL with 13 items, but it is not Hare's. I think the Hare checklist is more complete and more informative, however, and I think it's interesting to compare the items on Hare's PCL-R to what we know about George W. Bush.

Please bear in mind that the checklist is not indended for laymen to make diagnoses, but only trained professionals with the formal scoring manual.

With that caveat, here is the checklist. For each item, the subject is given a score between 0 and 2 -- 0 means "no," 1 means "somewhat," 2 means "definitely." There doesn't seem to be a benchmark, a particular score above which we can say that a person is a psychopath; all I can tell you is that a normal adult will display none or some of these items, while a psychopath will display many, most or all of them.


1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.

2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.

3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.

4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.

5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.

6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.

7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.

10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.

13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.

16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.

20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.


So, bearing in mind the above caveat, you can probably give me an educated guess: is George W. Bush a psychopath?

[joanne]

1. Yep.

Case closed.

[Carla in Ca]

6. It explains why he is on anti-depressants, doesn't it?

n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. seems to be.........whats it say about Sociopaths?

[pacalo]

7. That's my guess, too -- he's sociopathic.

[rocktivity]

3. Also check out at http://www.bullyonline.org

George Bush, Wannabee

Karl Rove, Sociopath

:headbang:
rocknation

[dweller]

4. i score him a 32

1. 1
2. 2
3. 1
4. 2
5. 2
6. 2
7. 2
8. 2
9. 2
10. 2
11. 1
12. 1
13. 2
14. 2
15. 2
16. 2
17. 1
18. 0
19. 2
20. 1
____
tot. 32

without a 'formal' manual of course. Just playing the psychotherapist at home.
dp

[flordehinojos]

5. Yes. And Poppy too shows many of these traits...possibly BABS too.

[rocktivity]

8. I graded him a 37, which averages out to 1.85 per question

if 0 means "no," 1 means "somewhat," and 2 means "definitely," he's DEFINITELY on the WRONG side of "definitely!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[cheshire]

9. I say sociopath too, does not deal with society well. smirking at death.

[BillZBubb]

10. Definitely a Sociopath, but not a Psychopath.

I think the fact that he was "born again" shows he's not a psychopath. That's too calculating. Definitely sociopathic, he knew that was the way to maximize his "leadership".