Part 2 - Psychological Traits of Criminal Predators (2/2)
Here, we continue to examine the psychological traits common
to criminal predators. We will then go into how understanding these traits can
help keep us safe.
View Niceness as Weakness
Criminal predators view niceness as weakness and take full
advantage of the kindness offered by others. They believe that those who make
themselves vulnerable by being nice to others deserve to be victimized. This
manifests itself in cases where criminals play the role of people in distress
in order to victimize Good Samaritans.
Blend in to Appear Non-Threatening
As mentioned in Part 1 – Profile of a Criminal, criminal
predators don't want to draw undue attention to themselves, so they will try to
blend in as much as possible. They try to blend in with those around them and
appear non-threatening so their victims let their guards down. While this is
true of almost all criminals, those who use deceit to get what they want are
extremely proficient at this. Those include con artists, date rapists, child
molesters, etc.
Constantly Seek Criminal Opportunity
This trait puts the "predator" in criminal
predator. Generally speaking, criminals are lazy and want to get as much return
for the least possible effort. They are therefore constantly looking for
opportunities for easy targets. This trait is so evident in almost all types of
criminal predators that listing examples would be far too limiting.
Understanding this trait may be the biggest key to keeping yourself safe.
Putting It All Together
To review the traits, they are:
Low Self-Esteem
Selfish
Attitudes
Lack of
Conscience and Sense of Mercy
View
Niceness as Weakness
Blend in
to Appear Non-Threatening
Constantly
Seek Criminal Opportunity
When you understand these psychological traits, you can
begin to see a general profile of criminal predators. You can then begin to
understand the types of traits common to the ideal victim; which will lead to
understanding what traits you should have in order to avoid being targeted as a
victim.
Details of how to avoid being an easy victim will be in a later post. For purposes of this post, we invite you to engage in a discussion about what traits easy victims may have, which criminal trait that applies to, and what trait difficult victims may have that will counter it.
Details of how to avoid being an easy victim will be in a later post. For purposes of this post, we invite you to engage in a discussion about what traits easy victims may have, which criminal trait that applies to, and what trait difficult victims may have that will counter it.
by Tim Okawa
Tim is an advanced instructor in
Koushinkai Karate and certified by the NRA as an instructor for the Refuse To
Be A Victim program.
