Victims have a certain way of walking, and psychopaths can spot it. That’s the conclusion two bloggers for Psychology Today reached, based on a scientific study released last year.
The study, Psychopathic traits and perceptions of victim vulnerability, was authored by Sarah Wheeler, Angela Book and Kimberly Costello of Brock University. The abstract states:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals scoring higher on psychopathic traits would be better able to judge vulnerability to victimization after viewing short clips of targets walking. Participants provided a vulnerability estimate for each target and completed the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale: Version III (SRP-III). Higher SRP-III scores were associated with greater accuracy in assessing targets’ vulnerability to victimization.
Psychology Today blogger Marisa Mauro, Psy.D., explained the study further. A group of male university students were asked to watch video clips of 12 people walking. The videos were shot from behind, and the students were asked to rate the ease at which each could be mugged. Several of the individuals had, in fact, been victimized. The students who scored high in psychopathic traits were better at picking out the people who had already been mugged.
Mauro works as a prison psychologist. Based on her experience and this study, she wrote:
Certain personal characteristics are associated with tendency to be on the receiving end of bullying such as harassment and manipulation. I have found that the demonstration of confidence through body language, speech and affective expression, for example, provides some protection.
Wallflowers
Another Psychology Today blogger, Jeff Wise, also commented on the study and what it says about victims. Wise wrote that he recently came across a guy who seemed to have the traits of a psychopath. The man was charming, good-looking, athletic, financially successful—and he left a trail of destruction in his wake. His victims sounded like wallflowers. Wise wrote:
The women who wound up on the receiving end of his attentions were individuals who, in their own description, were not very worldly, experienced, or outgoing. They were psychologically vulnerable and hence ill-equipped to either resist this fellow’s predations or to deal with them emotionally after they had occurred.
Wise concluded that, “people who are on the receiving end of crime often do mark themselves out, if only subliminally.” Mauro suggested that people can decrease perceived vulnerability by projecting dominance—more eye contact, less movement of the hands and feet.
If only it were that easy.
Traits of targeted women
The research both bloggers quoted described a particular situation—people walking down the street, and how vulnerable they might be to being mugged. It should not be generalized to describe all victims of psychopaths. After all, how many of us were involved with muggers?
Consider the research by Dr. Liane Leedom on women who were targeted by psychopaths. She found that they have three traits in common:
- Extraverts. The women are outgoing, competitive, strong-willed and liked excitement. Sometimes they are free-spirited.
- Cooperative. They are high in empathy, tolerance and compassion. They value getting along with others, and are willing to compromise their own interests for the larger picture.
- Invested in relationships. They like being around people. They are sentimental and focus on special moments.
Dr. Leedom’s research relates to women. But I’ve heard from many Lovefraud readers, both men and women, who were successful, take-charge individuals—until they met the psychopath.
Personally, I don’t think anyone who watched me walk down the street would tag me as timid or vulnerable. I’m an athlete, and my stride is confident. But I was victimized by a psychopath, who took $227,000 from me, and cheated on me incessantly. And the guy started setting his hooks via e-mail, before he ever saw me walk.
Maybe projecting dominance would work to avoid muggers. But it’s not going to stop victimization by a card-carrying psychopath intent on finding a resourceful new supply.
Jeannie:
Not knowing how it ‘went’ down in court yesterday……
The fact BOTH petitions were dismissed is GOOD!
You start from an even slate…….
NOW START DOCUMENTING!!!!!!
YOU need to proceed with all the knowledge he gave you……all the heads up and knowledge of his ploy of ‘getting’ to you.
Grey rock him……even if he provokes you to the hilt!
IGNORE< IGNORE< IGNORE!!!!
Do not ever let him see you sweat…..and be covert in all your actions.
I HiGHTLY recommend a camera darlen…..they aren't expensive……and well worth it.
REFUSE to live in fear of him…….but just keep documenting.
They want control of us….and if you let him live inside your beautiful head……he's got it! Take it back.
Chalk it up to a win today……as his order was dismissed.
I'm suspecting the he said she said gig confused the judge and neither of you had any documentation to prove anything…..(written)…..and after hearing a 'cat' fight…..the judge threw both out.
So….since he already had gained a temp. order……..and it was dismissed today……GOOD!
Glad also your car is sorted and it wasn't the sugar deal……but sit down with yourself and take note of all the things he did to others, talked about, threatened……etc…..because any/all of that could be coming your way……
FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED!!!!!
Relax, breathe and BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!!!!!
Aussie Girl,
It is a good idea.
Jeannie, my x BF kept telling me how he wanted to “burn down” the house of his cousin for doing X to his father, then told me how he would go about it. Then he told me another time how he wanted to burn his cousin’s house for doing Y to his father (different story) and how he would do it (same way) then later, while we were still dating, AND when he was in her town, his x GF’s house burns, JUST THE SAME WAY HE TOLD ME HE WOULD BURN HIS COUSIN’S HOUSE. When I told him his GF’s house burned he said “good enough for the bitch” and he did not act surprised. I have no doubt and neither does she that HE BURNED IT—-too much circumstantial stuff….but no way to ever prove it.
But, EB is right, they do TELL us what they are capable of by telling us what they want to do to someone ELSE. Sugar gas tanks, cut brake lines, whatever evil they are thinking of and when they are angry at us, that is what they will do to US.
When someone tells you the evil thoughts they have aimed at someone else, you can bet your bottom dollar they would do the SAME THING TO YOU. If they will steal from or lie to someone else they will steal from or lie to you SOONER OR LATER.
If someone is dishonest or mean to others they WILL be dishonest and mean to you, it is just a matter of WHEN.
just lost another post #$^*&%@* been happening more lately – don’t know what it is – happens when i hit shift.
anyhooo…
spath went on ad naseum about being stalked. ahem.
spath was disturbed about someone we knew to be snoopy and who flaunted their computer knowledge, searching for more info about spath clique. because there was the grain of truth in this concern from my persective (the person IS snoopy) it was hard to see the lie.
i often wonder about where she gets the pieces in her story lines; they are so well articulated. some of them hit exactly the right emotional pitch to be believable – even if the details seem way out there. then others seemed off but i put THAT down to the eccentricities of the fake person. and at the end the waaay off started to show, and i drew back – the incidents and the emo content didn’t match. but until that time, man, the things i did to not separate from that band of characters. i was besotted.
rolled truffles for an hour last night. my hands still smell sweet.
Erin,
I dusted off my old tape recorder and plan to record him in future. Will see if this recorder picks up his yelling voice from across street. It is about 1/4 of a city block to my neighbors across street. Video camera would be a fun investment only if tape recorder shows me it’s audio is worth the investment. Jim could be hiding behind a tree while he shouts so video is useless to rely on without good audio.
I have to be very careful with any proof against Jim.
The judge seemed to side with Jim. The judge glared at me and snapped ENOUGH! while he seemed to tolerate Jim. If Jim repeated a point, the judge said You already said that! If I repeated a point the judge glared and snapped ENOUGH! This was the pattern throughout this court hearing. I was so intimidated and afraid to speak that I was stammering and this just pissed off the judge even more.
He is the only judge here. It is a small community. He is also the mayor, post master and sheriff. No, ok just kidding. But, he is really the only judge here so I gotta deal with him.
I gotta walk in there and say no more words than here is this tape recording or here is this video footage, or here is my witness.
You are right about blocking out Jim’s White Noise. He managed to distract me at court hearing. I totally forgot to present the police report.
The judge was aware there was one. Cause Jim even wrote in his petition claiming I told false statements to police.
At court Jim told the judge that the police did not believe me and said the police were telling him all about me.
The judge told Jim to stop cause the police were not at court to testify. Yet, the judge let Jim go on about other things instead of giving me a chance to say something about the police. By the time I got my chance I totally forgot about the police report. I felt like I had to clear-up 5 miles of smear.
Jim brought up the subject of my drinking endless times.
He made up stories.
Jim looked honest as he could be when he stated stuff to the judge about me. It was the same stuff that Jim would shout at me over and over. So it was practiced.
Jim would look away from the judge when he was making unpracticed accusations and Jim’s voice would trail off quietly while he threw a vague accusation in the air.
I know this is stupid and not worth talking about. Yet, the judge seemed to use it to throw out both cases. If I go back in there I better have something really good.
jeanie,
i know this has been really hard, but you seem to be processing it and mOving foward with clarity and more strenGth- and as crappy as it was, THAT’S a great big TOWANDA!!
Ox Drover,
I agree with you that Jim is capable of some wicked stuff. He not only told me about putting sugar in gas tanks and potatoes up the muffler but he also rolled burning tires in a yard. He superglued the key ignition. He put a paper bag full of dog crap on a porch, started the paper bag on fire, and then rang the door bell so the the home owner would come running out to stomp out the fire. He was taught how to hot-wire a car at 5-years old.
He was raised by violent family of master manipulators and criminal minded people.
I am no match for that.
I get what your saying that I am in danger.
Jim showed me on court day that he is not done with me.
At court he said he was the one who ended it with me and that I pursued him with unwanted attention. After the court hearing Jim held the door of court room open for me. I froze and stood still. He held that door open until I motioned with my hand to “Go Away!” The he finally released the door.
I waited to give him time to leave the court house ahead of me.
I took the elevator to the main floor and as I was walking to the parking lot door I saw Jim on cell pacing back and forth outside the door.
Yes, he was pacing in the frigid cold talking on his cell instead of the warmth of a heated vehicle. hmmm…..
I waited inside court house. I sat down on bench in lobby and waited until he gave up and left. I waited extra time to let him get ahead of me on road.
That man is insane!!
He claims he broke it off and he is done with me, yet he smears me and clearly hates me. When he is the one that brought this on! He wants another piece of me? He is nuts…
Dear Jeannie,
Good job, now you are THINKING and ACTING, not re-acting!
PS: make sure your video or photos are time-date stamped correctly. Also when you make a tape or digi recording, as you turn it on, say this is Thursday, July 17, 2010 at 4:34 p.m. at address xyz. (if you can do this at all) then do NOT turn the recorder off after you say the time and date until you have taped what you want to tape and end the tape session.
I would keep the recorder in my pocket or at hand all the time, as well as a DVD or photo recorder of some kind so it was instantly accessible. Just like your wasp/oven spray!
Jeannie,
FIRST OFF, you did just fine for your first time at court with Jim.
Second. HE LIES. He’s bluffing when he tells you half of the stuff he has done. It’s half in his mind, not because he COULDN’T attempt these half-baked plots, it’s because he’s too lazy to actually do them.
My exP would tell me about how he beat this guy or that guy in court. Woohoo. Who the fuck cares? He can’t beat me in court. But from the very beginning (25 frickin years ago) he would tell me about his victories in court. That’s because he is preparing me to “queeb” (his word, socios make up words) in front of him. “oh no, I can’t win against my spath in court, he can beat anyone with his convincing mannerisms!!!!”
here’s part of one he sent me oct, 2009:
How I wish you would have worked with me on the
property issue the courts
will force you to make a deposition and if you don’t
show up they could throw
you in jail. My offer to you was more than generous and
could have been
so easy, but you’re mental condition has clouded you’re
mind.
It is KEY to understand ONE thing: they are intimately familiar with EMOTIONS. They are infants and infants only have that one power: to fuck with your EMOTIONS of fear or sorrow or WHATEVER.
Pay attention to your emotions, then TOSS THEM OUT. face reality squarely with the truth.
I knew the spath had no way of taking my property. He has never reported any income in his life!
In your case, you might have said, “Your honor, if I was stalking Jim, WHOSE HOUSE WOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED IN FRONT OF???? HUH???? HOW SMART DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO NOTICE THAT???? HUH??? YOUR FUCKING HONOR?”
Sorry, I got pissed off. it’s those triggers….It’s late. I’m really mad now. I guess I have issues I have to deal with…..