Theorizing corporate psychopaths: individuals, groups, organizations and society

The chapter offers a new, global theory: a theory of corporate psychopaths. The theory is not a theory of psychopathology of individuals per se—that is the domain of psychology. Rather, it is a theory of a particular type of actor in particular social settings, from small groups to organizations to the whole of society. It examines the distinct implications of these actors in the first instance, for those in their immediate contact and sphere of influence, then for organizations under their direction, and finally, the implications of these actors for society as a whole. Of particular importance is a focus on the specific accountability and control systems available in those different contexts, allowing researchers to think critically and creatively to apply their disciplinary knowledge to the very challenging situations created by the presence of that actor, the corporate psychopath.