Former FBI 'spy catcher' explains personality type 'more dangerous' than the psychopath
For 25 years, Joe Navarro worked for the FBI, with his career involving cases such as that of Ted Bundy - so it's safe to say he's come across his fair share of psychopaths. But it turns out there's a much worse personality type that can cause 'great harm', according to the former FBI agent.
Navarro, who was a founding member of the National Security Behavioural Programme, an initiative which applies behavioural science and threat assessment to cases, has published a book detailing personality disorders, so it's safe to say he's pretty clued up on the matter.
According to the former 'spy catcher', the most dangerous personality type is not a psychopath - which is what most of us think of - but a malignant narcissist.
Addressing the topic during a recent sit-down with LADbible's Honesty Box, Navarro explained that after researching his book, Dangerous Personality, he concluded that a malignant narcissist is the type of person most likely to do the most damage at an 'interpersonal level'.
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"From the mail that I have received over the last 10 or 12 years since writing that book, the malignant narcissist is probably the one that does the most damage on an interpersonal level," he explained.
"The malignant narcissist, overvaluing themselves and devaluing others, causes great harm."
What is a malignant narcissist?
According to Verywell Mind, a malignant narcissist combines both typical narcissistic traits - increased self-importance, entitlement, arrogance and a lack of empathy - with traits found in antisocial personality disorder. This includes behaviours such as aggression, a lack of remorse and disregard for the rules.
It's not known what exactly causes malignant narcissism; certain childhood traumas may contribute to its development, but the combination of traits means that malignant narcissists are more likely to cause harm to people around them.
'Quite devastating'
Navarro went on to explain that these behaviours are most often seen directed from men towards women, and can have profound effects.
"The effects - psychological effects, emotional effects, as well as financial effects - are really quite numerous and quite devastating," Navarro added.
"So while certain criminals that, you know, rob banks and rob people tend to be in the area of psychopathy or sociopathy, the malignant narcissist tends to do, I think, the most interpersonal damage."
As for psychopaths, who make up around one percent of the population, Navarro concluded that they are people who 'clearly have no conscience'.
"They're not bound by rules or by the letter of the law," he said.
"And they tend to be the ones that you see coming through the system, ending up in jail over and over, doing terrible things."
What are the signs that someone is a malignant narcissist?
While Verywell Mind notes that signs can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of their condition, common red flags which suggest someone may be a malignant narcissist include:
- A preoccupation with beauty, brilliance, and power
- Exploiting others for their own gain
- A belief that they deserve the 'very best' of things
- Lack of empathy for others
- Inflated sense of self
- Tendency to blame others for their behaviour
- Lack of remorse and not caring about pain caused to others
- Can lash out if slighted
If you think there is someone who may be a malignant narcissist in your life, it's advised to maintain strong boundaries with this person and be aware that they will likely retaliate when provoked.
It's also worth bearing in mind that most malignant narcissists or people with NPD are unaware of their symptoms and are therefore unlikely to change how they act.
Topics: Mental Health, Crime
Brenna Cooper