We live in a world where there are all kinds of people and that’s what makes life exciting and interesting. With all of the wonderful types of people out in the world that we’ve met throughout our own experiences, some individuals lay in wait for the next perfect victim.
Psychopaths aren’t always career criminals and serial killers, which we constantly see portrayed in fiction and on the news; but in fact, many times there are non-violent psychopaths that cannot help what they do as they exhibit distinct patterns of behavior. A psychopath is an individual who views others as sources of gratification for their own gain and psychological need, and they act accordingly without remorse or conscience.
Individuals who con others are generally a psychopath to some degree. For the most part, we as a society assume that most people are honest. For a psychopath, they prey upon this trait and that’s why so many people hear only what they want them to hear. Many times in relationships, the pathological liars or scam artists pace the relationship exactly how it will best suit their own needs. For example, a romantic liar paces the relationship so that it becomes intense very quickly — to their advantage of motivation and psychological needs.
Pathological liars tend to know more about your personal details than you know about theirs. Ask yourself, “What do I really know about this person and is there evidence to back up the information that I’ve been told?” Be cautious about new relationships, there’s nothing wrong with that approach.
Scam artists have certain behavior patterns and tactics for their intended victims. They often try to isolate a person from their family and friends to limit the people that might help with a reality check on their story. Often, they constantly keep track of a person’s whereabouts and exhibit extreme control.
There are definite signs to look for with these types of psychopaths who mask their scams. These people spend a lot of time talking about themselves, bragging about things that are larger than life, amused by cruelty, and many times have a constant need to borrow money by making excuses.
There’s no doubt that psychopaths, pathological liars, and scam artists make fun fictional characters for almost any book genre. The next time you pick up a book, see if the author has incorporated some of these more colorful characters into the storyline.
Have you known or met someone who fits the description of a psychopath, pathological liar, or scam artist?
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Author Blog: http://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk: http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
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