It’s a life outlook, a basic, underlying way of seeing the world.

Most people see a wreck and think,

“Wow, I’m glad I wasn’t in that.”
“Oh, I hope everyone is OK.”
“Looks like they need some help – I’ll call 911/go help.”
etc.

People like that view everything through the lens of personal benefit. They see a wreck, and the thoughts they’re likely to have are something like:

“How annoying.”
“Stupid people – I hope they die so they won’t be around to get in my way again.”
“What can I get out of this?”

Garden variety sociopaths, mostly.

A few people, failing badly enough in the School of Hard Knocks, make the transition from the first list to the last example on the second list.