Hedge Fund Managers with Psychopathic Tendencies make Worse Investors
May 3, 2018 4:25 PM Subscribe
It's a common trope that psychopaths have traits that also predict success on Wall Street and that they are perfectly suited for high finance. Or are they? Paper, press release, article, another article.
The authors note that the time period of the study included the global financial crisis, and "we cannot rule out the possibility that in other periods or contexts, Dark Triad traits may be related to better outcomes."
A smaller, less formal survey of high-performing funds managers came to a similar conclusion.
The authors note that the time period of the study included the global financial crisis, and "we cannot rule out the possibility that in other periods or contexts, Dark Triad traits may be related to better outcomes."
A smaller, less formal survey of high-performing funds managers came to a similar conclusion.
In other words, the traits of being a psychopath might help someone obtain the position of President of the United States, but those traits don't make them good at the job of being President of the United States.
Hypothetically speaking.
posted by AlSweigart at 4:44 PM on May 3, 2018 [39 favorites]
Hypothetically speaking.
posted by AlSweigart at 4:44 PM on May 3, 2018 [39 favorites]
The paper's introduction has a good summary of the two paths to power, financial or otherwise:
The first is defined in terms of what is known as the “Dark Triad” traits, which includes psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, and is based on the use of force, threat, manipulation, and coercion. The second is defined by virtues such as humanity, justice, and wisdom, and is based in actions that benefit others, which in turn yield esteem and elevated status as manifest in freely conferred deference.posted by clawsoon at 4:54 PM on May 3, 2018 [6 favorites]
Sounds like the instructions for Life: The Videogame. Are you going for a Power Over Others victory, or will you try for the more difficult but extremely satisfying Moral Constructive victory? The power is in your hands!
posted by Kevin Street at 6:50 PM on May 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Kevin Street at 6:50 PM on May 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
Senators who exhibited psychopathic tendencies were less likely to find co-sponsors for their legislation. (That study didn’t identify which senators displayed psychopathic traits.)
I demand names
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 7:01 PM on May 3, 2018 [14 favorites]
I demand names
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 7:01 PM on May 3, 2018 [14 favorites]
Though I guess you could just look for senators who have trouble finding sponsors and their voting records.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 7:03 PM on May 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 7:03 PM on May 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
> clawsoon:
"the two paths to power"
It's almost as if we live in a cartoon world, with superheroes and supervillains.
posted by chavenet at 1:25 AM on May 4, 2018
"the two paths to power"
It's almost as if we live in a cartoon world, with superheroes and supervillains.
posted by chavenet at 1:25 AM on May 4, 2018
We have superheroes?
posted by flabdablet at 4:42 AM on May 4, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 4:42 AM on May 4, 2018 [4 favorites]
Business psychopathy is how you get Enron. But then the government gets Enron and everyone goes to prison.
Proposed Solution: business psychopathology takeover of government.
Results pending.
posted by nubs at 6:15 AM on May 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
Proposed Solution: business psychopathology takeover of government.
Results pending.
posted by nubs at 6:15 AM on May 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
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