‘Character Disturbance’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 13

One of the biggest reasons why disturbed characters form relationships frequently characterized by various forms of abuse and exploitation is because they think of others as objects to possess.

When the disturbed character wants something, he doesn’t necessarily think about whether it’s right, good, or legal — or whether his pursuit of it might adversely affect anyone. He only cares that he wants it. His incessant concern for himself and the things that he desires creates a pattern of thinking which embodies an attitude of indifference to the rights, needs, wants, and expectations of others.

Persons with disturbed characters don’t act the way most of us do largely because they don’t think the way we do. Some will even advance points of view which they don’t really believe but which they want you to believe that they believe — all with a view to manipulating you or managing your impression of them.

Do you find yourself asking “What were they thinking?” when you see what appears to be the irrational behavior of disturbed characters in your life? And do they really believe what they say when they tell us what they were thinking?

This quick follow-up on the relationship between psychopathic behavior and childhood abuse provides some references on the research mentioned in an earlier article on predatory aggressive personalities.