Radio

Science says if you work in radio, you may be a psychopath

There’s something about the radio business that attracts people that just aren’t quite right. Over my time in the industry, I’ve encountered and had to work with/for some pretty strange people, some that were beyond your garden variety weird. A few were downright scary–certainly sociopathic if not entirely psychopathic. (Of course, I’m completely normal.)

Science says that I’m not imagining things, at least according to Oxford research psychologist Dr. Kevin Button. This is from Radio Today:

As B&T reports, Dr Dutton, who works at the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University, has written a book called The Wisdom of Psychopaths: What Saints, Spies and Serial Killers Can Teach Us About Success.

The book details the jobs that are most likely to attract psychopaths, with journalists and media presenters taking out the second and third spots on the list respectively.

Top 10 List:

  1. CEO 
  2. Journalists
  3. Media presenters (i.e. on-air radio types)
  4. Public servants
  5. Police
  6. Clergy
  7. Salespeople
  8. Surgeons
  9. Lawyers
  10. Chefs

Again, I want to emphasize that I’m perfectly normal, well-adjusted and empathetic. But a psycho would think that, right?

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39372 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “Science says if you work in radio, you may be a psychopath

  • No, a psycho would not think that. They would *say* that though.

    Reply

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