AFTER RICHARD HILARY GIBSON DELETED A POSTS ON CRAIGSLIST
LOS ANGELES POLITICS FORUM, HE WAS EXPOSED FOR HIS FLAGGING.
GIBSON IMMEDIATELY DELETED THAT POST.
WHILE GIBSON’S RACIST RANTINGS, HATE CRIMES, AND CRIMINAL
STALKING ALWAYS REMAIN UP UNTIL THEY EXPIRE, GIBSON OVERRIDES FLAGGING AND
DELETES ALL POSTS THAT EXPOSE HIS TOTAL CONTROL OF CRAIGSLIST POLITICS AND
RANTS FORUMS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
CRAIGSLIST IS GIBSON’S PLATFORM FOR RACISM, HATE CRIMES AND
THE PSYCHOTIC STALKING OF CL POSTERS.
Deleted
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lax
politics
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2012-05-03 10:20
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2994031643
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los angeles craigslist > westside-southbay > community
> politics
100% of these posts by the CL STALKER HATE CRIMES POSTER (ca
lawyer richard hilary gibson)
Date:
2012-05-03, 10:20AM PDT
Reply to: your anonymous craigslist address will
appear here
all
other posts he deletes, and then commences a pattern of criminal harassment.
·
Location: ca lawyer
richard hilary gibson
·
it's NOT ok to
contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID:
2994031643
*
Deleted
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lax
politics
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2012-05-03 03:55
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2993417160
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*
HERE GIBSON HARASSES A POSTER ON CL EUGENE OREGON BACK IN
2008
Gibson’s postingin Eugene Oregon:
Of course you are rolling on the floor..YOU'RE CRIPPLED! HA! You know and we
know..you are the impotent one..you're crippled! LOL!While I was out I
....parked in a handicapped space, scratched the fuck out of this cripples car
AND stole a handicapped card from some other useless cripples car. "Thank
you" to the cripple for leaving your window open just enough. Hey, I can
reproduce these...You are inspiring me...I am going to hand these out for
free..to anybody that wants them. Well, and sell a few to folks that aren't my
friends. CHECK E-BAY SOON! You are about to see A LOT more of these around
Eugene. If I hit E-Bay..everywhere! Oh yeah. Thank you.
Oh, I posted a BUNCH of cripple jokes on some kids sites, and will continue to
spread fear and dislike of cripples. They are fucking useless anyway.
You are a perfect example of why people like you used to be and still should be
put away in institutions. Of course you are yawning..you are half a
person..life itself is tough for you. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Maybe you can tell us a bit about your personal hygiene? Cripples are always
dirty. They can't properly clean themselves. Did you ever notice cripples are
usually disgusting fatties? Why is that? Do they NEED to eat all day long in
front of their computers? Why is it THEY have no respect for their bodies..Oh
yeah, their bodies have let them down. How do you wipe your ass? Who helps you?
Gee. I wonder how many cats you have? Does your APARTMENT smell like cat piss,
n the shit you can't effectively wipe off your ass? Typical lazy cripple.
Remember; If it weren't for the handicapped, we'd NEVER get parking spaces!
Still here half person. You know you are, That's why you are so angry.
HAHAHAHAHA If I was this Dick guy..why wouldn't I be flagging your garbage?
You're just a loser that needs attention. LIKE THE REST OF SOCIETY-I AM THROUGH
WITH YOUR USELESS ASS. *YAWN* No more attention, loser.
Gibson’s victim’s post:
Re: Cripple Hater
First, I'd like to thank you
for your kind words. I very much appreciate that. Again thank you.
To be clear his name is Richard Hillary Gibson and he's a very sick screwed up
guy who's addicted to speed.
And, yes, I'm the person that he's been attacking and, yes, I'm physically
disabled but, as you can see by my post, not mentally disabled at all. lol
Not to worry though because he'll soon be dealt with.
I've already begun the process of assembling a legal team to construct a case
and bring him to task for his violations not only against me but against
literally hundred of other people he has been attacking for the last four
years.
Many of his posts have been sent to the Jewish Anti Defamation League, The
National Organization For Women, The NAACP, among other groups so he'll soon
find himself not only dealing with me but with all those other groups as well.
And, yes, they will be dealing with him.
Again thanks for your kind words and thoughtful post. I really do appreciate
it.
Have yourself a wonderful day!
RE: I'll give anyone who kills Childers $100,000, cash.'
te: 2008-09-19, 5:42PM PDTBWHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHA!!!
The FBI eh? Ohhhhhh! I'm so scared Childers! Do you think they'll come down to
my house and bust my door down to defend you? You used to threaten me with
police action several years ago and guess what douche bag? Nothing ever
happened!!! LOL!!! Nonetheless, here we go again!!!! Childers continues to
believe that the police are with him and that they could give two shits about
threats made on his life! I'm sure the cops would love to see Childers go down
too and would make me a hero if it were to happen! They'd bust down my door to
give me a frickin' medal! LOL! Childers, go away, things were better when you
were gone. Leave us alone you fucking loser. Death to Childers! Death to the
woman beater! Death to the child molester! Save Helen Wong, kill Childers!!!!
I'll give anyone who kills Childers $100,000, cash. Just bring his head to me
in a glass jar so I can keep it around to smile at. If I see you, you're a dead
man.
*
RICHARDhilaryGIBSON.blogspot
THE
CRAIGS LIST SECRET… on man removes 98% of the post using a flagging override
Today
Gibson is removing posts all over the country and threatening people.
He
is a mentally ill man that is desperate for help. Please contact the CA STATE
BAR Lawyer’s Assistance Program and request the help this sick man obtain help.
lap(AT)calbar.ca.gov
His
emails: rick@Gibson-law
msnurse805@yahoo
(one of his many alias
for
more contact, head to CA STATE BAR web. Give him a few calls if you find his
conduct disturbing.
PROFILE
OF A SOCIOPATH FLAGGER…. RICHARD HILARY GIBSON’S MENTAL DISORDER BLOG
The
below pertains to the CL FLAGGER TROLL. It is only the OPINION of a group of
people that have been harassed and had their CL postings removed for the last
four years by this individual. It is based on copies of thousands of Gibson’s
posts, many of which have included obscene, explicit, and racist pornography.
This
individual has removed thousands of posts on Craigs List all over the country.
Richard
Gibson seemingly spends most his waking hours on CRAIGS LIST where he harasses,
threatens, stalks, and in violation of the CL Terms of Use (TOU), overrides
flagging and removes all posts he doesn’t agree with and all posts that expose
his violations.
Even
though Gibson violates CL TOU, he uses the same system to daily over-post
lawyer ads in Los Angeles-Services-Legal.
Gibson
stalks CL on both politics and rants raves at cities all over the country. His
posts, littered with insults directed to the posts he has illegally removed, frequently
also contain explicit pornography, racist or sacrilegious comments or pictures.
It
has been reported that he stalks CL barter and men seeking men where he posts
insults and then removes the post he directed his insults to (see Gibson’s post
from barter below)
Gibson
has stalked Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle,
Eugene-Oregon, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, New York City,
Boston, and Miami, Washington, D.C., Austin and numerous other smaller
municipalities.
Typically
besides stalking Los Angeles daily, Gibson picks one or more other cities where
he floods the boards with insults and disparaging remarks directed to other
posters.
In
Los Angeles, at the end of the day, there will typically be less than a dozen
posts left and 50% to 90% of these will be Gibson’s. Most of these will RE:
(reference the post he removed). All
other posts he has removed illegally.
In
Los Angeles, and other cities, Gibson will remove ALL POSTS on illegal
immigration. While Gibson has claimed repeatedly that he is fully within his
“rights” to unilaterally remove posts on illegal immigration, as such posts are
“racist” and therefore violates TOU, he himself, displays his sociopath
tendencies by referring to illegals as “greasers”. Most racist posts we have
observed on CL are undoubtedly by Gibson.
Gibson
post of 09-26-06:
I see another one of your posts just disappeared. I
flagged it as "spam". Are you gonna sue me now? ha
ha
ha ha ha ha ha HA HA HA HA HA
HA!!!!!!!..................................
I showed them!
………………..
Date: 2006‑09‑26, 3:47PM PDT
All you have to do is sign up to CraigsList with several e‑mails
‑ pretending you're a number of people, and then you can flag all you want. I
don't think that CL thought about that! HaHaHa!
Anti‑immigrant guy‑I flagged TWO of your posts away
Reply to: comm‑207455240@craigslist.org
………………
Gibson’s post of 09-14-06
Date: 2006‑09‑14, 6:05PM PDT
Ha ha!! I just got"last flag" on TWO of your
posts, and made them go bye‑bye. I love the feeling of clicking the
"flag" button, then clicking "refresh" and seeing YOUR
stupid "one‑man‑flagger‑is getting‑my‑posts" garbage disappear.
I am laughing at you AND your dumb theory.
……………………….
Gibson’s post of 01-10-07 referencing some of his many alias.
A characteristic of a sociopath is such a use of alias.
Date: 2007‑01‑10, 8:21AM PST
I know it's from here because, in addition to my e‑mail
address, "Gibsons" e‑mail is also listed, as well as
"intelligent america's". If either of those folks are reading this,
then you got the harrassing spam, too. The anti‑Gibson freak has addressed us
all before‑he thinks we are one person! I did mock the resident maniac here
because he seems to think that I am capable of "multiflagging".
I think we all know the maniac that signed us up for it. I
am interested in maybe pursuing this with law enforcement, or maybe in a civil
court. I know it's illegal to harrass people online. What do you think?
………………………
Reply to: rick@gibson‑law.com
Date: 2006‑10‑12, 5:10PM PDT
I just got a post IN ALL CAPS saying that I am a liar, that
I have flagged many of his posts.
How do you know who flags you? I have flagged no one, except
the person who has posted my personal information over and over. Are you that
person? If so, you are breaking the rules and should expect to be flagged off
the system.
And why don't you use your name and e‑mail address? I am out
in the open, thanks to you guys. You are hiding. Who looks like the liar?
………………..
A POSTER OBJECTS TO GIBSON’S FLAGGING OVERRIDE:
Date: 2006‑10‑14, 5:27PM PDT
Stop multi flagging him. You
multi flagged me the other day for no reason. I posted an article about 50
illegal aliens found in a house. I made no rude comments or anything. Five
minutes after I posted it, it had already been flagged and removed. As long as
you do things like that people will hate you.
Gibson’s post in CRAIGS/BARTER
Computer Service/ Trade for
Idiocy Certificate ‑ $5
Date: 2006‑10‑16, 7:00PM PDT
How the hell can you work on
computers when you can't even spell, dickwad? I'm sure you put lots of care and
accuracy into your work, Dickie.
this is in or around WadVille
…………………………..
Gibson’s victim responds:
Computer Service Trade for ???? ‑
$700
Reply to: sale‑221613397@craigslist.org
Date: 2006‑10‑16, 6:19PM PDT
Thank you for flaggin my ad for
no reason ... I am honestly looking to trade:
Do you need computer service of
some kind? Do you Think you may have something in trade in value estimated
between $250 ‑ $500+ or want to trade half cash and hald trade on good or
services?
………………..
These
words of littered Gibson’s post (hundreds on file) for four years:
“crazy” , “insane”, “lunacy”, “lunatic”, “moron”, “nutcase” “nutjob”, “schizo”,
“maniac” and “take your meds” appear in most.
Many
of Gibson’s post are highly racist, including Gibson’s posts with explicit
pornography with the name of presidential candidate Barack Obama. Other
patterns of abuse have included flooding a CL site with anti-Semitic comments or
images, anti-Christian comments or images, including a cartoon image urinating
on “God” (Gibson is an avowed atheist), obscene pornography, such as pictures
of men urinating in each other’s faces, ( Gibson appears to be a closet
homosexual), and prostitutes. Despite
apparently being gay, Gibson he refers to gays as “fudgpackers” in some of his
posts.
When
Gibson is exposed he will flood that board with denials, using his many alias,
post comments to himself denying that flagging exist, and then sadly post
replies to his own posts. For this purpose he uses many alias.
Although
Gibson hides behind numerous alias, characteristic of a sociopath, he also
presumes being an attorney is highly threatening to people and has posted on CL
countless times using his professional letterhead and email address of rick@gibson-law.com, and info@gibson-law.com (on file). He also sends direct emails to
people he has abused on his professional letterhead.
A
patter of Gibson’s abuse has been threatening people, particularly when exposed,
which suggest that Gibson is fully aware of his misconduct and violation of CL
TOU, but has no compuction to stop. One person that exposed Gibson received a
direct email threatening to “sue you into bankruptcy” if he were exposed (on
file).
Other
threats of violence tend to come from one of Gibson’s alias, and include
threats of violence or challenges to violent acts. All characteristic the
sociopath. They may come from Gibson, the “Mexican activist actor artist”, or
Gibson the sailor, or Gibson the marine, or Gibson the illiterate Mexican. One
alias alleged to be used by Gibson is miguelguido@13yahoo.com
Frequently
while Gibson is flooding a board with disavowals of his conduct, even when post
after post “disappears”, he will be on another CL site harassing, insulting,
threatening and FLAGGING OFF POSTS ILLEGALLY.
Below
is a post by Richard H Gibson found in Eugene, Oregon disparaging a handicapped
poster. The post comments on a post
referecing Gibson in Philladelphia. (the post references E-Bay, where Gibson’s
email address is rickebay2006@yahoo.com
In
copies of Gibson’s post we have on file will be found the following words used
repeatedly:
“RACIST
SCUMBAG”, “COP HATER!”, “LIBERAL ASSWIPE”, “DOUCHEBAG”, “JACKASS”, “DICKWAD”,
“BOZO” “LOSER!” “COWARD”, “NUT JOB”
Countless
of Gibson’s posting also use the coda of HaHaHaHaHaHa….. or ….LOLOLOLOL
Eugene
Oregon Rants and Raves
We love LA, not really, hehe
Do
you know of this crazy poster?
--------------------------
Of course you are rolling on the floor..YOU'RE CRIPPLED! HA! You know and we
know..you are the impotent one..you're crippled! LOL!While I was out I
....parked in a handicapped space, scratched the fuck out of this cripples car
AND stole a handicapped card from some other useless cripples car. "Thank
you" to the cripple for leaving your window open just enough. Hey, I can
reproduce these...You are inspiring me...I am going to hand these out for
free..to anybody that wants them. Well, and sell a few to folks that aren't my
friends. CHECK E-BAY SOON! You are about to see A LOT more of these around
Eugene. If I hit E-Bay..everywhere! Oh yeah. Thank you.
Oh, I posted a BUNCH of cripple jokes on some kids sites, and will continue to
spread fear and dislike of cripples. They are fucking useless anyway.
You are a perfect example of why people like you used to be and still should be
put away in institutions. Of course you are yawning..you are half a
person..life itself is tough for you. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Maybe you can tell us a bit about your personal hygiene? Cripples are always
dirty. They can't properly clean themselves. Did you ever notice cripples are
usually disgusting fatties? Why is that? Do they NEED to eat all day long in
front of their computers? Why is it THEY have no respect for their bodies..Oh
yeah, their bodies have let them down. How do you wipe your ass? Who helps you?
Gee. I wonder how many cats you have? Does your APARTMENT smell like cat piss,
n the shit you can't effectively wipe off your ass? Typical lazy cripple.
Remember; If it weren't for the handicapped, we'd NEVER get parking spaces!
Still here half person. You know you are, That's why you are so angry.
HAHAHAHAHA If I was this Dick guy..why wouldn't I be flagging your garbage?
You're just a loser that needs attention. LIKE THE REST OF SOCIETY-I AM THROUGH
WITH YOUR USELESS ASS. *YAWN* No more attention, loser.
………………….
Another post by Gibson in Oregon 08-25-08:
Many
of Gibson’s post comment on drug use as well as the fact that he is actively
removing posts/flagging.
“I pop onto R&R for a minute and see this post about Dick Gibson”
Youeass Ismine? NO-Myass Isfine! (His mom's basement)
_______________________________________
Reply to: pers-812218807@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-25, 10:31AM PDT
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Some little twat keeps e-mailng me saying he knows who I am with the tag-
Yourass Ismine(hahahahahahaha) . Today I got one saying he knows my name is
Dick Gibson. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Who the fuck is Dick Gibson? Then again, who
the hell cares? I pop onto R&R for a minute and see this post about Dick
Gibson. Great detective work! Ya read one article and suddenly you know
everything. Typical. Man, I can't wait until school starts so theses punks will
at least be out of our hair. On more time little man...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Come get some little boy. What are you going to do?? Keep e-mailing me?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm not who you think I am. I think you will be surprised. I'm
not Dick. But more importantly, I'm not scared. I am going to laugh at this one
ALL DAY. Gotta show this to my friends! lol! By the way..my ass? IS fine! So is
my glass! I'm going to go blow some awesome glass right now and make around
four hundo in a few hours. See Ya..Wouldn't want to be ya!
GIBSON POST OF 12-29-2006 REFERENCING HIS FLAGGING AND DRUG ABUSE:
hey
,Spells Angles,no flagging today? Someone hurt,or ass chewing?
Reply to: see below Date: 2006-12-29, 11:24AM PST
What did Craig do? Chew your big asses again? Or did one of you hit the street
drains,again? I miss the flaggging,show some luv,do the meth,then flag,a
little. Iv got to go,but Iam expecting for you 4 to find,at least,90% of my
poost and flag your big rumps off,until I return.And thrown in some of the
threatening words you try on women and children,too. God I luv this country
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GIBSON’S POST OF 12-27-2006
Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
!!!!!
Reply
to: see below Date: 2006-12-27, 10:43PM PST
God I luv this country !!!! God gave me you twerps to harrass and good weather
to do it in. How Iam I doing,twerps ? If you like it,flag it,then Ill know you
like it.
Location: flag it,so I know U like it It's NOT ok to contact this poster with
INFO
ON UNDERSTANDING A SOICOPATH FLAGGER
- Diagnostic criteria
(DSM-IV-TR)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used
manual for diagnosing mental and behavioral disorders, defines antisocial
personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation
of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by three (or
more) of the following:
failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning
others for personal profit or pleasure
impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights
or assaults
reckless disregard for safety of self or others
consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain
steady work or honor financial obligations
lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing
having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
The manual lists the following additional necessary criteria:
The individual is at least age 18 years.
There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course
of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode.
[edit]
Mnemonic
A mnemonic that can be used to remember the criteria for antisocial
personality disorder is CORRUPT[1][2]:
C - cannot follow law
O - obligations ignored
R - remorselessness
R - recklessness
U - underhandedness
P - planning deficit
T - temper
[edit]
Criticism of the DSM-IV criteria
The DSM-IV confound: some argue that an important distinction has been
lost by including sociopathy/psychopathy together under APD. As Hare et al
write in their abstract, "The Axis II Work Group of the Task Force on
DSM-IV has expressed concern that antisocial personality disorder (APD)
criteria are too long and cumbersome and that they focus on antisocial
behaviors rather than personality traits central to traditional conceptions",
concluding, "... conceptual and empirical arguments exist for
evaluating alternative approaches to the assessment of psychopathy ... our
hope is that the information presented here will stimulate further
research on the comparative validity of diagnostic criteria for
psychopathy; although too late to influence DSM-IV." [1]
………
Protect yourself from
sociopaths
Learn to recognize the traits—then stay away
Dr. Robert Hare's
Symptoms of Psychopaths
Interpersonal traits
Antisocial lifestyle
Psychopaths are often witty and
articulate. They can be amusing and entertaining conversationalists, ready with
a quick and clever comeback, and can tell unlikely but convincing stories that
cast themselves in a good light. They can be very effective in presenting
themselves well and are often very likable and charming.
Typically, psychopaths attempt to
appear experts in sociology, psychiatry, medicine, psychology, philosophy,
poetry, literature, art or law. A signpost to this trait is often a smooth lack
of concern at being found out that they are not.
Psychopaths have a narcissistic and
grossly inflated view of their self-worth and importance, a truly astounding
egocentricity and sense of entitlement. They see themselves as the center of
the universe, as superior beings who are justified in living according to their
own rules.
Psychopaths are seldom embarrassed
about their legal, financial or personal problems. Rather, they see them as
temporary setbacks, the results of bad luck, unfaithful friends or an unfair
and incompetent system.
Psychopaths feel that their
abilities will enable them to become anything they want to be. Given the right
circumstances—opportunity, luck, willing victims—their grandiosity can pay off
spectacularly. For example, the psychopathic entrepreneur "thinks
big," but it's usually with someone else's money.
Psychopaths show a stunning lack of
concern for the devastating effects their actions have on others. Often they
are completely forthright about the matter, calmly stating that they have no
sense of guilt, are not sorry for the pain and destruction they have caused,
and that there is no reason for them to be concerned.
Psychopaths' lack of remorse or
guilt is associated with a remarkable ability to rationalize their behavior and
to shrug off personal responsibility for actions that cause shock and
disappointment to family, friends, associates and others who have played by the
rules. Usually they have handy excuses for their behavior, and in some cases
they deny that it happened at all.
The feelings of other people are of
no concern to psychopaths. Psychopaths view people as little more than objects
to be used for their own gratification. The weak and the vulnerable—whom they
mock, rather than pity—are favorite targets.
Psychopaths display a general lack
of empathy. They are indifferent to the rights and suffering of family members
and strangers alike. If they do maintain ties with their spouses or children it
is only because they see their family members as possessions, much like their
stereos or automobiles.
Because of their inability to
appreciate the feelings of others, some psychopaths are capable of behavior
that normal people find not only horrific but baffling. For example, they can
torture and mutilate their victims with about the same sense of concern that we
feel when we carve a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
However, except in movies and books,
very few psychopaths commit crimes of this sort. Their callousness typically
emerges in less dramatic, though still devastating, ways: parasitically
bleeding other people of their possessions, savings and dignity; aggressively
doing and taking what they want; shamefully neglecting the physical and
emotional welfare of their families; engaging in an unending series of casual,
impersonal and trivial sexual relationships; and so forth.
Deceitful and manipulative
Lying, deceiving and manipulation
are natural talents for psychopaths. Given their glibness and the facility with
which they lie, it is not surprising that psychopaths successfully cheat, bilk,
defraud, con and manipulate people and have not the slightest compunction about
doing so. They are often forthright in describing themselves as con men,
hustlers or fraud artists. Their statements often reveal their belief that the
world is made up of "givers and takers," predators and prey, and that
it would be very foolish not to exploit the weaknesses of others.
Some of their operations are
elaborate and well thought out, whereas others are quite simple: stringing along
several women at the same time, or convincing family members and friends that
money is needed "to bail me out of a jam." Whatever the scheme, it is
carried off in a cool, self-assured, brazen manner.
Psychopaths seem to suffer a kind of
emotional poverty that limits the range and depth of their feelings. While at
times they appear cold and unemotional, they are prone to dramatic, shallow and
short-lived displays of feeling. Careful observers are left with the impression
that they are play-acting and that little is going on below the surface.
Laboratory experiments using
biomedical recorders have shown that psychopaths lack the physiological
responses normally associated with fear. The significance of this finding is
that, for most people, the fear produced by threats of pain or punishment is an
unpleasant emotion and a powerful motivator of behavior. Not so with
psychopaths; they merrily plunge on, perhaps knowing what might happen but not
really caring.
Psychopaths are unlikely to spend
much time weighing the pros and cons of a course of action or considering the
possible consequences. "I did it because I felt like it," is a common
response.
More than displays of temper,
impulsive acts often result from an aim that plays a central role in most of
the psychopath's behavior: to achieve immediate satisfaction, pleasure or
relief. So, family members, employers and co-workers typically find themselves
standing around asking themselves what happened—jobs are quit, relationships broken
off, plans changed, houses ransacked, people hurt, often for what appears to be
little more than a whim.
Psychopaths tend to live day-to-day
and to change their plans frequently. They give little serious thought to the
future and worry about it even less.
In psychopaths, inhibitory controls
are weak, and the slightest provocation is sufficient to overcome them. As a
result, psychopaths are short-tempered or hot-headed and tend to respond to
frustration, failure, discipline and criticism with sudden violence, threats
and verbal abuse. They take offense easily and become angry and aggressive over
trivialities, and often in a context that appears inappropriate to others. But
their outbursts, extreme as they may be, are generally short-lived, and they
quickly resume acting as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
Although psychopaths have a
"hair trigger" and readily initiate aggressive displays, their
ensuing behavior is not out of control. On the contrary, when psychopaths
"blow their stack" it is as if they are having a temper tantrum; they
know exactly what they are doing. Their aggressive displays are "cold;"
they lack the intense emotional arousal experienced by others when they lose
their temper.
It's not unusual for psychopaths to
inflict serious physical or emotional damage on others, sometimes routinely,
and yet refuse to acknowledge that they have a problem controlling their
tempers. In most cases, they see their aggressive displays as natural responses
to provocation.
Psychopaths have an ongoing and
excessive need for excitement—they long to live in the fast lane or "on
the edge," where the action is. In many cases the action involves breaking
the rules.
Some psychopaths use a wide variety
of drugs as part of their general search for something new and exciting, and
they often move from place to place and job to job searching for a fresh buzz.
Many psychopaths describe "doing crime" for excitement or thrills.
The flip side of this yearning for
excitement is an inability to tolerate routine or monotony. Psychopaths are
easily bored. You are not likely to find them engaged in occupations or
activities that are dull, repetitive or that require intense concentration over
long periods.
Obligations and commitments mean
nothing to psychopaths. Their good intentions—"I'll never cheat on you
again"—are promises written on the wind.
Truly horrendous credit histories,
for example, reveal the lightly taken debt, the shrugged-off loan, the empty
pledge to contribute to a child's support. The irresponsibility and
unreliability of psychopaths extend to every part of their lives. Their
performance on the job is erratic, with frequent absences, misuse of company
resources, violations of company policy, and general untrustworthiness. They do
not honor formal or implied commitments to people, organizations or principles.
Indifference to the welfare of
children—their own as well as those of a man or woman they happen to be living
with at the time—is a common theme among psychopaths. Psychopaths see children
as an inconvenience. Typically, they leave children on their own for extended
periods or in the care of unreliable sitters.
Psychopaths are frequently
successful in talking their way out of trouble—"I've learned my
lesson;" "You have my word that it won't happen again;" "It
was simply a big misunderstanding;" "Trust me." They are almost
as successful in convincing the criminal justice system of their good
intentions and their trustworthiness. Although they frequently manage to obtain
probation, a suspended sentence or early release from prison, they simply
ignore the conditions imposed by the courts.
Most psychopaths begin to exhibit
serious behavioral problems at an early age. These might include persistent
lying, cheating, theft, fire setting, truancy, class disruption, substance
abuse, vandalism, violence, bullying, running away and precocious sexuality.
Because many children exhibit some of these behaviors at one time or another,
especially children raised in violent neighborhoods or in disrupted or abusive
families, it is important to emphasize that the psychopaths's history of such
behaviors is more extensive and serious than that of most others, even when
compared with those of siblings and friends raised in similar settings.
Early cruelty to animals is usually
a sign of serious emotional or behavioral problems. Cruelty to other
children—including siblings—is often part of the young psychopaths's inability
to experience the sort of empathy that checks normal people's impulses to
inflict pain, even when enraged.
Adult antisocial behavior
Psychopaths consider the rules and
expectations of society inconvenient and unreasonable, impediments to their
inclinations and wishes. They make their own rules, both as children and as
adults.
Many of the antisocial acts of
psychopaths lead to criminal convictions. Even within prison populations
psychopaths stand out, largely because their antisocial and illegal activities
are more varied and frequent than are those of other criminals.
Not all psychopaths end up in jail.
Many of the things they do escape detection or prosecution, or are on the
"shady side of the law." For them, antisocial behavior may consist of
phony stock promotions, questionable business and professional practices,
spouse or child abuse, and so forth. Many others do things that, although not
illegal, are unethical, immoral or harmful to others: philandering, cheating on
a spouse, financial or emotional neglect of family members, irresponsible use
of company resources or funds, to name but a few. The problem with behaviors of
this sort is that they are difficult to document and evaluate without the
active cooperation of family, friends, acquaintances and business associates.
Psychopaths are not the only ones
who lead socially deviant lifestyles. For example, many criminals have some of
the characteristics described above, but because they are capable of feeling
guilt, remorse, empathy and strong emotions, they are not considered
psychopaths. A diagnosis of psychopathy is made only when there is solid
evidence that the individual matches the complete profile—that is, has most of
the above symptoms.