The prevalence of sociopathy among the wider society is often misunderstood and underrated. Sociopathy is found in an estimated 1-2% of the population. DSM IV-TR pegs prevalence around 1% in women and 3% in men. Estimates vary greatly still, from 1% to 15% (Hare, Stout, Schouten). Statistically speaking you and I probably each know at least one sociopath.
“The silence of the lambs”, great movie that it was, did a disservice to the common understanding of sociopathy, or its more extreme equivalent psychopathy.
Far from Hannibal Lecter lookalikes, sociopaths are found all across society from housewives to petty felons, from salespeople to lawyers, CEO’s to violent criminals. It is true however that there is an over-representation of sociopaths in a few cohorts. If we accept the number of 2% as a maximum, estimated prevalence in society, certain segments do show over-representation.
Prevalence of sociopathy in executive functions (CEO’s, founders, top lawyers or bankers)
As usual there is little obvious, agreed consensus on the prevalence of sociopathic profiles among executives, research does turn up different results, but they are all above the population average, indicating strong trend to over-prevalence. On the lower end of the research, Habiak found that 4% of CEO’s are estimated to show sociopathic traits (Babiak, Hare).
However, these findings seem on the light side, above average that they are. 10-12% of CEO’s are estimated by another study to show sociopathic traits. Consensus seems to indicate a marked over-representation already.
Sociopaths often make good CEO’s particularly in environments where political manoeuvring or ruthless gains optimisation are the norm. Psychopaths are themselves often noted for their striking ability to convey a vision to anyone, charm anyone, thrive in chaos.
Sociopaths are decisive, ruthless, and they typically love accumulating money or possessions (almost as a way to “furnish” a limited inner life and structure time). All of which predispose them for higher management. The prevalence of sociopathy in boardrooms has actually been hinted at in many ways before, in pop culture, in movies, in the news.
They also have an uncanny strategic view of what brings them power and influence, and use that instinct relentlessly, and shamelessly if need be. They have no qualms sacking people or selling sub-par products as long as they have wrapped up the legalese (and they tend to be big on the law, often the people who actually contracts in full).
10% of professionals in the financial industry are estimated to show sociopathic traits (Dr. Christopher Bayer, Wall Street Psychologist; De Covny)
Without wallowing in clichés about the financial industry, it is easy to see that there is a high prevalence of sociopathy in this industry. Finances are some of the “driest” fields, one dealing in direct power (money). And one where highly analytical and political minds (analyst, lawyers, directors, etc.) do get rewarded for ruthless effectiveness. The financial industry also espouses some of the sociopathic makeup traits:
- Controlling the narrative (brochure-speak, lobbying etc.)
- The only thing that matters is $ not feelings.
- Ability to take extreme decisions (closing a branch, sacking 500 staff) without “hang up”
- Public sense of morals (brochure, PR) Privately – no problem lobbying for legal change that favours the financial industry at expense of anyone else, etc.
Prevalence of sociopathy among inmates (prisons, penitentiaries)
Considering the typical symptoms of sociopathy, it is no wonder that it should be found over-represented in prisons. ASPD individuals are propelled by their need for narcissistic supply, to manipulate, commit impulsive attacks, obvious manipulation or cross boundaries, showing low empathy, low learning and low remorse. They tend to struggle to self-organise and plan long-term consequences (to the contrary of psychopaths who are much more organised, and even more calculating, more aware of long term consequences).
Sociopathic individuals lie, manipulate and leverage their political muscle to maximum benefit. Some do succeed in a life of crime, a majority do not. Most end up, in plain English, crossing the wrong criminal, pulling the wrong heist, telling the wrong lie. They offend beyond what they can comprehend and end up burning too many bridges, making too many sworn enemies.
The prevalence of sociopathy among inmates is therefore expected to be higher, but how much higher? 20% higher? 50% higher? Twice higher? How about 25 TIMES more prevalent than in society.
20 to 25% of prisoners exhibit strong psychopathic/sociopathic traits. 20-25% of prisoners are psychopaths according to the same Dr. Robert Hare, Criminal psychology researcher, Creator of the PCL-R.
A high prevalence of sociopathy among prisoners seems beyond doubt, substantially above normative level. Some studies range up to 78% in terms of prevalence, a common value being around 20% to 30% of the inmate population, hugely more common than in the mainstay of society.
Sociopaths are sometimes impulsive, and do not get as much “push back” from lack of empathy or remorse. Add to that that they are often attracted by criminals and love instant gratifications but have a ruthlessly effective mind… and you have an optimal context for criminal activity.
The prevalence of sociopathy in prison only tells part of the story. Sociopath inmates are also much more violent than even the rest of the inmate population, committing an estimated twice as many violent acts. They are also twice as likely to reoffend than other inmates.
Conclusion: Hiding in plain sight, all around us for better or worse
This quick look at the prevalence of sociopathy and psychopathy tells us a few useful things:
- ASPD (Sociopathy or Psychopathy) is more prevalent, more around us than we tend to realise. Statistically we have all met dozens, which should take hopefully some of the taboo around these conditions.
- ASPD is often found among top bankers, lawyers, surgeons. They may be attracted by these trades for the control and status they saw in them, which is typical of ASPD. However we should also note that in these organisations they can often make the tough decisions, and perform the gruesome operations without wincing.
- The “typical” psychopath would rather likely be found as a successful, if ruthless and manipulative executive. Polished, feared and brutal but brilliant. The “typical” sociopath would statistically inhabit a different space: Less likely to be in stable employ, more likely to be addicted to drugs, physically impulsive and violent.
- ASPD is nothing like Hannibal Lecter and his face mask. On the contrary, ASPD individuals excel at predatory and charming behaviour, in public particularly, or in private depending on the tactical gain they are seeking from that individual. A promotion, a theft, a rape, some ASPD can “bung it on” better than the real thing.
- ASPD individuals typically, notoriously do not seek therapy. Their over-representation in jails may yet be underestimated.
