Psychopaths and an Old French Fable: The Raven And The Fox

In an interview with Babiak and Hare, Babiak explains how psychopaths proceed to form a psychopathic bond between him and his target. It reminded me an old French Fable, written by Jean de La Fontaine, The Raven And The Fox.

Here is a part of the interview:

In a nutshell, how do psychopaths judge the personalities of others?  (in fact, Babiak will answer the question: "how do psychopaths proceed to form a psychopath bond with his target?)

Babiak: Psychopaths often come across as good psychologists, but in reality they are just more observant of others and are motivated to take advantage of the traits, characteristics, and personal situations of those around them. Psychopaths use the same three-part personality model to build strong relationships with others. They initially present a charming, charismatic mask, persona, which is often quite likeable. When they want to deepen the relationship (because the target has something they want), they first convince the target that they truly like him or her (that is, like his or her own persona or outward self). Then, they convince the target that they are more similar than different in many ways (including at the deep psychological level). Thirdly, they convince the target that they fully understand and accept the target's own true, private, and inner personality (the one with all of its secrets), and, therefore, because of this acceptance, they can be trusted. Finally, they convince the target that they (the psychopaths) are the ideal friend, partner, coworker, and so forth; this forms the "psychopathic bond." This bond is quite seductive, as few people reach this level of psychological intimacy with others in the work environment. Once this bond is formed, it is very difficult for the target to see the truth about the psychopath as he or she continues to be manipulated

Now I make a comparison between psychopaths and the Fox in The Raven And The Fox. In this fable the Fox is the psychopath and the Raven is the target. What the Fox wants: the cheese held in Raven's beak. How does the Fox proceed? Using flattery. Obviously, the Raven fooled himself thinking he could genuinly be compared to a Phoenix. Everybody hates the Raven, his croak and his black plumage, certainly something the Raven suffers about secretly. The Fox uses it to his advantage.

THE RAVEN AND THE FOX

Perch'd on a lofty oak,
Sir Raven held a lunch of cheese;
Sir Fox, who smelt it in the breeze,

Thus to the holder spoke:--
'Ha! how do you do, Sir Raven?
Well, your coat, sir, is a brave one!

So black and glossy, on my word, sir,
With voice to match, you were a bird, sir,
Well fit to be the Phoenix of these days.'

Sir Raven, overset with praise,
Must show how musical his croak.
Down fell the luncheon from the oak;
Which snatching up, Sir Fox thus spoke:--

'The flatterer, my good sir,
Aye liveth on his listener;
Which lesson, if you please,
Is doubtless worth the cheese.'

A bit too late, Sir Raven swore
The rogue should never cheat him more.

Jean de La Fontaine, Fable II, Livre I.