Superficial charm
Encyclopedia
Superficial charm is "the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile."
The phrase often appears in lists of attributes of psychopathic personalities, such as in Hervey Cleckley's
The Mask of Sanity
and Robert Hare's
Hare Psychopathy Checklist
.
Associated expressions are "charm offensive", "turning on the charm" and "superficial smile
".
In the nineteenth century, George Eliot
explored the darker side of the Victorian feminine
ideal, concluding that 'there is no hardness like the hardness of a narrow mind polished into superficial charm...feminineness of manner' only.
Subsequent studies have refined, but not perhaps fundamentally altered, Chekley's initial assessment. In the latest diagnostic review, 'although ostensibly similar to Checkley's "superficial charm and good intelligence" criterion, the "glibness and superficial charm" of the PCL-R (...) is in fact defined in a more deviant manner (i.e., reflecting an excessively talkative, slick, and insincere demeanor)'.
: "Their superficial charm can be enchanting." For such figures, 'those big romantic gestures that at first proved so alluring are in fact the whole deal, symptomatic of these men's need to show off and be the centre of attention'.
Narcissists can be 'skilful and charming manipulators', specialising in ' Entrapment: the luring of a victim in some beguiling way, such as by fake warmth and understanding, into suspending his self-protective behavior and compromising himself'. Closely related is the way 'some imposters have a great ability to make their victims fall in love with them, only to betray them afterwards. They are governed by the narcissistic need to prove to themselves that they are capable of being loved; they remain unsatisfied nonetheless, and take revenge for their dissatisfaction'.
(...) the stuff of interpersonal polish, the necessary ingredients for charm, social success, even charisma' may yet only have 'a hollow social success - a popularity won at the cost of one's true satisfaction (...) social chameleons, champions at making a good first impression' but nothing more. 'To the extent that these traits lead to effective impression management, they are highly prized in certain professions, notably acting, trial law, sales, diplomacy, and politics'. But 'if these interpersonal abilities are not balanced by an astute sense of one's own needs', such superficial extraverts may 'end up as anchorless social chameleons'.
Similarly in the histrionic personality
, 'the need for excitement and attention seeking
, which leads to a superficial charm and interpersonal presence...further reinforces the dissociation and denial of the real or inner self
from the public self, and the cycle continues'.
. The first recorded use of the expression is in the California newspaper The Fresno Bee Republican in October 1956.
The phrase often appears in lists of attributes of psychopathic personalities, such as in Hervey Cleckley's
Hervey M. Cleckley
Dr. Hervey Milton Cleckley was an American psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of psychopathy. His book, The Mask of Sanity, originally published in 1941, provided the most influential clinical description of psychopathy in the 20th Century...
The Mask of Sanity
The Mask of Sanity
The Mask of Sanity is a book written by Hervey Cleckley, M.D., first published in 1941, describing the clinical interviews of Cleckley with incarcerated psychopaths. It is considered a seminal work and the most influential clinical description of psychopathy in the 20th century...
and Robert Hare's
Robert Hare (psychologist)
Robert D. Hare, C.M. , is a researcher in the field of criminal psychology. He developed the Psychopathy Checklist and Psychopathy Checklist Revised , used to diagnose cases of psychopathy and also useful in predicting the likelihood of violent behavior...
Hare Psychopathy Checklist
Hare Psychopathy Checklist
In contemporary research and clinical practice, Robert D. Hare's Psychopathy Checklist-Revised is the psycho-diagnostic tool most commonly used to assess psychopathy...
.
Associated expressions are "charm offensive", "turning on the charm" and "superficial smile
Smile
A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles near both ends of the mouth. The smile can also be found around the eyes . Among humans, it is an expression denoting pleasure, joy, happiness, or amusement, but can also be an involuntary expression of anxiety, in which case it is known...
".
Early history
Classical rhetoric had early singled out the critical category of 'a superficial charm; his words sounded well enough, but if you analysed them you found there was no solid matter'.In the nineteenth century, George Eliot
George Eliot
Mary Anne Evans , better known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, journalist and translator, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era...
explored the darker side of the Victorian feminine
Feminine
Feminine, or femininity, normally refers to qualities positively associated with women.Feminine may also refer to:*Feminine , a grammatical gender*Feminine cadence, a final chord falling in a metrically weak position...
ideal, concluding that 'there is no hardness like the hardness of a narrow mind polished into superficial charm...feminineness of manner' only.
Psychopathic charm
Contemporary interest in superficial charm goes back to Checkley's classic study (1941) of the sociopath: it has since become generally accepted that 'psychopathy includes emotional shallowness, superficial charm (...) and disregard for the feelings of others'. According to Hare, "Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything."Subsequent studies have refined, but not perhaps fundamentally altered, Chekley's initial assessment. In the latest diagnostic review, 'although ostensibly similar to Checkley's "superficial charm and good intelligence" criterion, the "glibness and superficial charm" of the PCL-R (...) is in fact defined in a more deviant manner (i.e., reflecting an excessively talkative, slick, and insincere demeanor)'.
Narcissism
The term also occurs in Hotchkiss' discussion of narcissistsNarcissism
Narcissism is a term with a wide range of meanings, depending on whether it is used to describe a central concept of psychoanalytic theory, a mental illness, a social or cultural problem, or simply a personality trait...
: "Their superficial charm can be enchanting." For such figures, 'those big romantic gestures that at first proved so alluring are in fact the whole deal, symptomatic of these men's need to show off and be the centre of attention'.
Narcissists can be 'skilful and charming manipulators', specialising in ' Entrapment: the luring of a victim in some beguiling way, such as by fake warmth and understanding, into suspending his self-protective behavior and compromising himself'. Closely related is the way 'some imposters have a great ability to make their victims fall in love with them, only to betray them afterwards. They are governed by the narcissistic need to prove to themselves that they are capable of being loved; they remain unsatisfied nonetheless, and take revenge for their dissatisfaction'.
Social chameleons
'Those who are adept in social intelligenceSocial intelligence
Social intelligence describes the exclusively human capacity to use very large brains to effectively navigate and negotiate complex social relationships and environments....
(...) the stuff of interpersonal polish, the necessary ingredients for charm, social success, even charisma' may yet only have 'a hollow social success - a popularity won at the cost of one's true satisfaction (...) social chameleons, champions at making a good first impression' but nothing more. 'To the extent that these traits lead to effective impression management, they are highly prized in certain professions, notably acting, trial law, sales, diplomacy, and politics'. But 'if these interpersonal abilities are not balanced by an astute sense of one's own needs', such superficial extraverts may 'end up as anchorless social chameleons'.
Similarly in the histrionic personality
Histrionic personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriately seductive behavior, usually beginning in early...
, 'the need for excitement and attention seeking
Attention seeking
Enjoying the attention of others is quite socially acceptable. In some instances, however, the need for attention can lead to difficulties. The term attention seeking is generally reserved for such situations where excessive and "inappropriate attention seeking" is seen.-Styles:The following...
, which leads to a superficial charm and interpersonal presence...further reinforces the dissociation and denial of the real or inner self
True self and false self
True self and false self are terms introduced into psychoanalysis by D. W. Winnicott in 1960. Winnicott used the term "True Self" to describe a sense of self based on spontaneous, authentic experience, a sense of "all-out personal aliveness," or "feeling real."The "False Self" was, for Winnicott, a...
from the public self, and the cycle continues'.
Positive outcomes
'Potentially positive outcomes' have nonetheless been noted for the superficial charmer, including 'good conversation skills; lighthearted in social settings; fun and entertaining to be around; good at interacting with others; improved romantic opportunities; power to please'.Charm offensive
Charm offensive is a related concept meaning a publicity campaign, usually by politicians, that attempts to attract supporters by emphasizing their charisma or trustworthinessTrustworthiness
Trustworthiness is a moral value considered to be a virtue. A trustworthy person is someone in whom you can place your trust and rest assured that the trust will not be betrayed. A person can prove their trustworthiness by fulfilling an assigned responsibility - and as an extension of that, not to...
. The first recorded use of the expression is in the California newspaper The Fresno Bee Republican in October 1956.
Literary analogues
- F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott FitzgeraldFrancis Scott Key Fitzgerald was an American author of novels and short stories, whose works are the paradigm writings of the Jazz Age, a term he coined himself. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Fitzgerald is considered a member of the "Lost...
- the 'poet of the meretricious' - explored the destructive consequences of excess charm in stories like "Magnetism". '"You can't control charm. It's simply got to be used. You've got to keep your hand in if you have it, and go through life attaching people to you that you don't want" (...) unconsciously promising a possible admission to the thousand delights and wonders that only he knew and could command'.
See also
Further reading
- Fritz Wittles, "The Criminal Psychopath in the Psychoanalytic System", Psychoanalytic Review XXIV (1937)
- Mark Snyder, "Impression Management", in L. S. Wrightman/K. Deaux, Social Psychology in the '80s (1981)