This is my quasi-scientific attempt to shed light on a question that has been nagging me. I've noticed as many others have, Trump's apparent megalomania, his seeming inability to feel remorse or accept that something he's said or done may be wrong. His behavior during the debates showed no interest in even the appearance of fair play or obeying the rules and he seems to be willing to do whatever it takes to win. His mocking of the handicapped reporter, Times investigative reporter Serge Kovaleski, and his name calling shows he enjoys belittling people.
I want to be clear here, this isn't an attempt to disparage Trump or do finger wagging. This is a challenge to mental health professionals to take up the question.
And I know what some of you are thinking, 'Of course Trump is crazy'. But I wasn't interested if he was sort of unstable or exhibited what people might call 'unusual' or 'crazy' behavior. I wanted to find, as a layman, a way of gauging one simple question, "Is Donald Trump a sociopath?'.
While I was thinking about this, I remembered this test I had taken about a year ago that had been floating around the internet. So, I had this idea, why don't I fill it out using what I can observe from Trump's behavior and what information has become available from his writing and approach to campaigning and business and see what results it yielded?
I used the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale which is used by psychologists for primary assessment of whether someone has sociopathic traits. It is a 26 question survey with the questions being scaled from 1 to 5, 1 being 'Disagree, 3 being 'Neutral' and 5 being 'Agree'.
You can find the test in the link below:
http://personality-testing.info/tests/LSRP.php
Where the questions dealt with 'feelings' I entered a 3 - 'Neutral' score. I have no way of knowing his feelings but I can observe his outward actions, things he's said and written. I've included my rationale for my scores in parentheses. These are observations and not meant to be absolutes.
The Test
1 - Success is based on survival of the fittest; I am not concerned about the losers. (This one I felt was easy given it's one of Trump's pet sayings) 5
2 - I find myself in the same kinds of trouble, time after time. (Trump doesn't seem to be self aware enough to realize it but nevertheless, he is always getting in trouble for doing/saying the same type of things) 5
3 - For me, what's right is whatever I can get away with. (Again, pretty obvious. He appears to pride himself on pushing boundaries) 5
4 - I am often bored.
(Trump seems the prototypical thrill seeking personality) 5
5 - In today's world, I feel justified in doing anything I can get away with to succeed.
(Trump seems to revel and take pride in this) 5
6 - I find that I am able to pursue one goal for a long time.
(I would say if he is getting what he wants but hasn't got all of what he wants. A central theme seems to be 'closing the deal') 3
7 -My main purpose in life is getting as many goodies as I can. (It seems a central part of his identity and lifestyle) 5
8 - I don't plan anything very far in advance.
(Trump appears impulsive but also very calculating) 3
9 - Making a lot of money is my most important goal.
(This is a constant topic with Trump) 5
10 - I quickly lose interest in tasks I start.
(It appears to depend on if he's gotten what he wants) 3
11- I let others worry about higher values; my main concern is with the bottom line. (Yes. The bottom line appears essential to his philosophy. He appears to quickly digress when he tries to address higher goals) 5
12 - Most of my problems are due to the fact that other people just don't understand me.
(Trump displays an incredible persecution complex. Nothing is ever his fault) 5
13 - People who are stupid enough to get ripped off usually deserve it.
(His approach in his business dealings and Trump University seem to confirm this) 5
14 - Before I do anything, I carefully consider the possible consequences.
(Again, Trump seems both impulsive and calculating) 3
15 - Looking out for myself is my top priority. (This seems pretty obvious) 5
16 - I have been in a lot of shouting matches with other people. (I think you just need to watch the debates) 5
17 - I tell other people what they want to hear so that they will do what I want them to do. (This appears to be Trump's current campaign strategy with the people he considers his demographic. It's also a part of 'Art of Deal' and the Trump U marketing strategy) 5
18 - When I get frustrated, I often "let off steam" by blowing my top. (His outbursts are recorded on an almost daily basis) 5
19 - I would be upset if my success came at someone else's expense. (His business practices/campaigning style seem to run totally contrary to this) 1
20 - Love is overrated. (I have no idea if he is capable of love) 3
21- I often admire a really clever scam. (His entire persona seems based on this) 5
22 - I make a point of trying not to hurt others in pursuit of my goals. (This couldn't appear to be further from the truth) 1
23 - I enjoy manipulating other people's feelings. (I don't know about his enjoyment but he's bragged about his ability to use the Press and 'The Art of the Deal' contain passages that could be interpreted as advocating the use of manipulation) 5
24 - I feel bad if my words or actions cause someone else to feel emotional pain. (There is no indication of this in his behavior. Trump seems to delight in causing others distress) 1
25 - Even if I were trying very hard to sell something, I wouldn't lie about it. (Trump is rated the least truthful presidential candidate by Politifact with an only 2% 'truthful' rating) 1
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/
26 - Cheating is not justified because it is unfair to others. (He doesn't seem to think of it as cheating but he displays little interest in playing by the rules) 3
The Results.
The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale.
The following is copy pasted from the results page with the exception of the '(on a scale of 1-5)' inserted for clarity.
"The LSRP measures two scales.
Scores range from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Your score from primary psychopathy has been calculated as 4.8. (on a scale of 1-5) Primary psychopathy is the affective aspects of psychopathy; a lack of empathy for other people and tolerance for antisocial orientations.
Your score from secondary psychopathy has been calculated as 4. (on a scale of 1-5) Secondary psychopathy is the antisocial aspects of psychopathy; rule breaking and a lack of effort towards socially rewarded behavior.
With two scores, results of the LSRP are very suitable for being plotted. Below is the distribution of how other people who have taken this test have scored.
Your (Trump's) score for primary psychopathy was higher than 96.79% of people who have taken this test.
Your (Trump’s) score for secondary psychopathy was higher than 94.64% of people who have taken this test."
So the results I found, according to the online version of Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale with the values I've inserted, with the rationale I've given, Donald Trump rates 4.8 out a scale of 5 in the Primary scale and 4.0 on a scale of 5 in the Secondary scale for psychopathy more commonly known as sociopathic tendencies.
To put this in perspective I took the test and my score was 2.5 Primary and 2.1 Secondary. Which put me at the 64.41% for the Primary and 29.26% for the Secondary of people who have taken this test.
In Conclusion
Well, there you have it. I entered the numbers with the rationale I've given and these are the results. I tried to be as objective as I could but most of the tendencies that psychologists believe are sociopathic, as based in the test, I think most would agree, Trump revels in.
His supporters love him for his refusal to play by the rules and cheer his every belligerent and/or demeaning utterance. The more outrageous he is the more they flock to him. Trump seems to be able to do/say no wrong with them and even he has observed, " I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?"
Again this is quasi-science, I'm not a psychologist (though I'm pretty sure I got an 'A' in Psychology the many years ago I was in college) and I welcome and CHALLENGE all the qualified psychologists, psychiatrists and mental healthcare professionals in the world to take up this question.
It's way past time to take a more critical look and question Donald Trump more severely and vigorously.
And the media needs to stop treating Donald Trump like a curiosity and ratings cow and do their job as the 5th Estate in vetting this candidate who is running for the most powerful position in the world.