I selected this topic because I think that Bowen family systems theory has something to offer for important societal problems, like psychopathy in systems. We seem to have an epidemic of psychopathic behavior in U.S. society and internationally, certainly a part of societal regression.
I have never personally encountered someone whom I for certain knew to be an extreme psychopath. So, there is a great big caveat attached to my descriptions here. Caveat emptor!
I take this leap of relying on the accounts of others because the societal problem of psychopathy has become so important, and I have found no attempts to frame the problem with a systems perspective.
Psychopathic behavior is the callous deceptive manipulation of other individuals and systems for only the personal gain of oneself and at the expense of those other individuals and systems. The research reported on psychopathic behavior has been from an individual theory perspective. Much of it has been excellent, as far as it goes. Bowen family systems theory offers ways of thinking which begin to flesh out a much more complete picture of psychopathic behavior.
Extreme psychopathy is one type of no-self. The extreme psychopath has no guiding values, save for doing whatever is needed to exploit others for personal gain. He truly has no self.
Bowen suggested that the family system of those with intense social symptoms give out the message to their target child, “We will love you no matter what”. It appears that is often also true for the systems which the extreme psychopath exploits as an adult. Furthermore, the extreme psychopath is very skilled at identifying vulnerable systems who will believe his false stories and let themselves be manipulated and deceived.
Extreme psychopaths are experts at manipulating triangles in a system. For example, they will deceptively ingratiate themselves with the other two people of a triangle, while telling false stories about one to the other, in a way that works to the advantage of the psychopath. He’ll divide one part of a system against another. He’ll operate as if the system consists of opposing factions. In this way, he can appear to believe and ally with the exaggerated beliefs of either faction, or either person in a triangle.
Meanwhile, he exploits factions to make himself look good in the system, especially to those who hold social power in the system, resulting e.g. in promotions for him in a business system.
Vulnerable individuals and systems too easily believe the attractive but false stories told by the extreme psychopath.
This is a tiny beginning to understanding psychopathy from a systems perspective. I can’t wait to hear your ideas about what else systems thinking can contribute to dealing with this problem.
Jim Edd,
A provocative and intriguing article! I’m interested in hearing more of your thinking, but will offer a couple of thoughts, too. Psychopathy exists on a continuum. In its less extreme forms, it is common, and people can fall into these behaviors without realizing it, not being aware of it, and not being aware of its consequences. I think it can be like playing a game, a social game. I’m not familiar with the individual psychology explanations that you mention. I’m curious to understand more how others and society play a part, for instance as you say not paying attention, not holding accountable, etc. I think the lack of agreed-upon values, how society is polarized and split into so many camps encourages psychopathy. What is right and what is wrong is less clear. I hope to hear more from you on this,
Laurie
Yes, absolutely psychopathy exists on a continuum.
For other work, see Robert Hare, Kent Kiehl, James Fallon, and Martha Stout.
Jim Edd,
Given the current examples in today’s world of individuals with psychopathic traits having gotten positions of leadership and power, I heartily agree that this is a topic we need to understand a lot better.
Your description of how such persons function and how they are tolerated and supported is a good step. I would also wonder about the developmental process in which an individual grows up without forming the empathy and moral sense that is the counterbalance to self-interest. Understanding that would seem to call for a multigenerational context. I also think that there are adult problems–addictions come to mind–that drive anxiety to a level that an otherwise reasonably ethical person would override his or her concern for others. As always, I appreciate your thinking.
Stephanie
Good point about the developmental process. That may work some of time when caught early enough. On the other hand, extreme psychopaths often have an under active paralimbic system( of unknown cause) and there is some question about whether such a person can learn something like conscience.
Hi Jim Edd. One thing I started to wonder about reading your post on psychopathy is the different ways people gain at the expense of others. Laurie writes about the helping variety in her chapter posted this week and you write about the more anti-social variety. With the current social context and societal regression is this represented by the total capture of society by Mental Health and Celebrity Culture? I don’t have energy to elaborate but I’m touching on the elements of the emotional process in society that have come to mind here.
The topic of how people gain at the expense of others is one we can’t know enough about.
It is crucial to understand this kind f individual who in our time command fear and allegiance. What is wrong with us that in times of uncertainty we move towards this type? Soloman Ashe tried to show how even the length of a line could easily be lied about if it gave us a place with the group. Others have shown the group’s weakness IF an authority figure says KILL THEM. All this research took place in the fifties and still we bend our knees to the sociopath
I fear the audience that caves in to it as much as I fear the psychopath leader.