Posted by Carol on August 02, 2004 at 16:32:28
A while back there were as series of speculative posts on the Exer board about David Berg's mental status. Did he have a brain disease like bipolar disorder in addition to his self-admissions of substance abuse and chemical dependency? Did he, perhaps, also suffer from borderline personality disorder?
In my opinion, very complex people like Berg rarely fit neatly in simple diagnostic categories. I believe a more general concept--"psychopathy"-- describes Berg and explains his behavior about as well as any diagnostic category might find in the DSM-IV. If you look "psychopathy" up in Webster's Dictionary, you'll find a very general definition that doesn't reveal much about how this concept is currently applied by social psychologists, particularly with regard to persons who evidence criminal or anti-social behavior.
In this context, the term "psychopathy" is often used interchangeably with "sociopathy." Both terms, along with "anti-social personality disorder," refer to individuals who appear to have defective consciences. I do not believe Berg was totally without a conscience, but his conscience was something like swiss cheese--more filled holes than firm substance.
A lengthy discussion on the inter-related concepts of sociopathy, psychopathy and anti-social personality can be found at: http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/428/428lect16.htm
Through his extensive work with prison populations, the Canadian psychologist Dr. Robert Hare developed a 20-item scale that operationalizes psychopathy as a constellation of personal characteristics. In some ways, it's easier to dismiss Berg as "evil" or "deluded" or "sinful" than try to understand him as a flawed human being. Even to label him a "psychopath" implies a demonic character. Social psychologists who have applied the psychopathy construct to populations outside of prisons seem to think many cult leaders are, in fact, "successful" psychopaths--inasmuch as they evade law enforcement, societal controls, or judicial review.
Those who are familiar with Berg's writings and personal history might find it interesting to evaluate him in light of Hare's 20-item Psychopathy Check List (Revised) (also known as the PCL-R). If I were ranking Berg on the PCL-R using a 10-point Likert Scale (ranging from "not at all" to "extremely like this"), I think he would score higher on some items than others. At the same time, I feel certain that he would score high enough overall to exceed the cut-point for the clinical range of scores that confirm psychopathy as a condition.
Following are the 20 items on the PCL-R:
1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.