We're (Journalists are) No. 6 (among psychopaths)

http://theweek.com/article/index/251957/which-professions-have-the-most-psychopaths

According to the article, among all professions Journailsts have the 6th highest number of psychopaths -- behind CEO, Lawyer, TV/Radio Media, Salespeople, and Surgeons.

 

The $64,000 question: Are we conditioned to have many of those traits by being in this field, or are we attracted to this field because we already possess those traits?

 

Reminds me of a heated discussion from a media ethics class in college. A bunch of scenarios and photos put on the table, and then a debate on each item whether they should be published. Most of class voted to publish on a lot of the items, a handful always went the way of taking people's feelings into consideration. At the end of the debate, the professor looked to the group stressing empathy for every item and advised them to change majors.

 

Politician and banker aren't ranked in the Top 5, or even the Top 10? List fail.

 

Let's face it, sportswriters are a weird bunch.

 

We had a similar thread a year ago. Vers turned in one of his masterpieces. I'm not calling d_b, just celebrating a SJ classic.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/posts/3476038/

 

I thought the definition was interesting. I guess I never thought about what it means to be a psychopath.

Oddly, I've held multiple jobs on both lists.

 

If they had used this board's membership as a sampling size, the ranking would have been higher.

 

I attended a national SPJ conference some years back. One panel discussion/topic said we're more sociopathic than psychopathic. There is a difference, and that difference means we can at least function in society without being completely destructive/self-destructive within the first year of our careers. Something like that. I'd say it's accurate, but that's just my opinion. I have nothing to cite.

 

Seeing this ranking, I feel nothing in my cold heart, except a slight confusion as to why "media" is ranked higher than "journalist." It's like ranking "attorney" ahead of "lawyer." Is this good or bad for print folks? Do web guys fit in with one of those groups, or just plot their own psychopathic revenge at being left out on both counts?

 

Expected lawyer to be No. 1.
Also expected dentist to rank highly.
It is the profession with the most suicides.