The way that most of us, and most especially, mental health professionals, have traditionally been taught to view human nature and behavior is actually the biggest obstacle to understanding and dealing effectively with the unscrupulous and devious folks among us.

Neurotics have a big sense of right and wrong, set high standards for themselves, and sometimes proverbially carry the world on their shoulders. In contrast, disturbed and disordered characters have a remarkably impaired, immature, or underdeveloped conscience. In some extreme cases, conscience can be absent altogether and even the capacity to form a conscience nonexistent.

Many free societies have developed cultures of permissiveness and entitlement prompting far too many persons to enter adulthood not adequately socialized and evidencing profound deficiencies of character, sometimes well past their mid-life years.

In my new book, Character Disturbance, I go to great lengths to highlight the many and significant differences between most folks and people of disturbed character.

The covert-aggressive personality employs a potent one-two punch: the covert-aggressive conceals aggressive intent to ensure you never really see what’s coming; and he or she exploits your normal sensitivities, conscientiousness and other vulnerabilities to manipulate you into succumbing.