Hubris Syndrome
Hubris syndrome (also hybris syndrome) is a proposed construct describing an acquired change in personality associated with the prolonged exercise of power. Suggested features include grandiosity, contempt for others, impaired judgment, impulsivity, and risk‑taking. The concept is not recognized as a diagnosis in the DSM‑5‑TR or the ICD‑11.[1]
Development of the concept
The term was introduced by British physician and politician David Owen in the context of examining the health and behavior of political leaders. Owen and psychiatrist Jonathan Davidson later analyzed biographical material on United States presidents and United Kingdom prime ministers from the previous century, proposing that the syndrome emerges after attaining executive power and may diminish once power is relinquished.[2]
Historical background
In ancient Greek literature, hybris referred to acts of excess or arrogance that violated social or divine limits. The term appears in tragedies by authors such as Aeschylus [3] and Sophocles[4], as well as in Aristotle's writings.[5] In modern discussions, the historical concept has been referenced to contextualize the contemporary use of the term “hubris,” although this connection is descriptive rather than clinical.
Proposed Criteria and Features
Owen and Davidson outlined fourteen suggested manifestations, including five considered central. Reported features include preoccupation with public image, use of messianic rhetoric, identification of the self with the nation or organization, excessive confidence in personal judgment, disregard for expert advice, progressive loss of contact with reality, impulsivity, and reckless decision‑making.[6]
Relationship to Recognized Personality Disorders
The proposed construct overlaps with traits described in personality disorder frameworks in the DSM‑5‑TR and ICD‑11, particularly within the domains of antagonism and disinhibition. Proponents highlight two distinguishing elements: onset following the acquisition of substantial power and state‑dependence, with symptoms reportedly decreasing after loss of power.[7]
Empirical research
Research on the topic includes historical and biographical analyses, as well as studies examining linguistic indicators in leaders’ speech, such as the use of first‑person plural pronouns or self‑aggrandizing language.[8] Empirical evidence remains limited and is largely based on publicly available observational data.[8]
Classification Status and Validity
Hubris syndrome is not included in major diagnostic classification systems. A review published in Psychological Medicine assessed its potential diagnostic validity and suggested considering it as a non‑organic personality change associated with the exercise of power. [7]
Criticism and Controversies
Critiques of the concept include concerns about pathologizing leadership behavior, overlap with existing diagnostic categories, lack of validated criteria, and methodological challenges in establishing a causal relationship between power and personality change.[9]
References
- ↑ Owen, David (August 2008). "Hubris syndrome". Clinical Medicine. 8 (4): 428–432. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.8-4-428. PMC 4952940. PMID 18724614.
- ↑ Owen, D.; Davidson, J. (2009-05-01). "Hubris syndrome: An acquired personality disorder? A study of US Presidents and UK Prime Ministers over the last 100 years". Brain. 132 (5): 1396–1406. doi:10.1093/brain/awp008. ISSN 0006-8950.
- ↑ Garvie, A. F. (April 2000). "M. Vílchez: Esquilo: Tragedias, I, Los Persas: texto revisado y traducido (Alma Mater: Colección de Autores Griegos y Latinos). Pp. cxlvii + 68 (double pages). Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 1997. Cased. ISBN: 84-00-07697-4". The Classical Review. 50 (1): 268–268. doi:10.1017/S0009840X00270029. ISSN 0009-840X.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Concepcion López (2015-12-10). "LAS AGUAS DEL MAR EN EDIPO REY Y EDIPO EN COLONO DE SÓFOCLES". Humanitas. 67: 9–25. doi:10.14195/2183-1718_67_1. ISSN 2183-1718.
- ↑ Ramírez Trejo, Arturo E. (1970-01-01). "Aristóteles, Retórica, intr., trad. y nts. Quintín Racionero, Madrid Gredos (Biblioteca Clásica Gredos, 142), 1990". Nova Tellus. 13. doi:10.19130/iifl.nt.1995.13.0.611. ISSN 2683-1759.
- ↑ Owen, D.; Davidson, J. (2009-05-01). "Hubris syndrome: An acquired personality disorder? A study of US Presidents and UK Prime Ministers over the last 100 years". Brain. 132 (5): 1396–1406. doi:10.1093/brain/awp008. ISSN 0006-8950. PMID 19213778.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 First, Michael B.; Yousif, Lamyaa H.; Clarke, Diana E.; Wang, Philip S.; Gogtay, Nitin; Appelbaum, Paul S. (June 2022). "DSM-5-TR: overview of what's new and what's changed". World Psychiatry. 21 (2): 218–219. doi:10.1002/wps.20989. ISSN 1723-8617. PMID 35524596 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Garrard, Peter; Rentoumi, Vassiliki; Lambert, Christian; Owen, David (June 2014). "Linguistic biomarkers of Hubris syndrome". Cortex. 55: 167–181. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2013.08.014. PMID 24074886.
- ↑ Selten, Jean-Paul (October 2023). "Consider the hubris syndrome for inclusion in our classification systems". Psychological Medicine. 53 (13): 5889–5891. doi:10.1017/S0033291723002672. ISSN 0033-2917. PMID 37679027 Check
|pmid=value (help).
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