The Myth of the Out of Character Crime

[Leah]

The Myth of the Out of Character Crime by Dr. Stanton E. Samenow, leading expert on the criminal mind

... "From time to time, into the news burst accounts of regular people who commit crimes that seem totally out of character according to those who know them well. Lee Malvo, one of the D.C. snipers, was known to his friends and family as a smart, promising man. "Steven," was a talented, young scientist with no criminal record. No one suspected he was capable of injuring another-until he was arrested for abducting a man, handcuffing him, and threatening to blow off his head with a pistol. What makes these otherwise stable and respected men and women commit crimes? Why do those who know them best not see the signs? Are there clues people can look out for when a person is about to "snap?" What in the psychological makeup of defendants resulted in their committing crimes? Here, a seasoned forensic psychologist delves into the psyches of these otherwise "normal" people, whom he has treated and researched for many years."


My ex husband always got away with anything and everything, as each time, he was let off, with "Out of Character" !!

This has rattled me, somewhat, with    in particular,after the police had spoken to him, not me, when it was my emergency call, and not his.


Dr. Stanton E. Samenow, leading expert on the criminal mind, states the following ... 


... "Despite possible differences in background and the difference in modus operandi of the crime, the mentality of a person who robs a bank and a corporate executive who perpetrates fraud is the same. Both pursue power and control at the expense of others. Both are able to shut off considerations of consequences and considerations of conscience. Neither has an operational concept of injury to others. Neither puts himself/herself in the place of others. There are numerous other thought patterns common to both. Furthermore, the offense for which either is caught more likely than not represents only the tip of the iceberg of each offender's irresponsibility and illegal conduct. Both know the laws, calculate carefully so they can succeed at their objectives. Both experience excitement at each phase of the crime -- from the initial idea through the execution of the act(s) itself (themselves). If apprehended, each will case out those who hold them accountable and feed them what they think they want to hear or ought to know. And they will try to dispel responsibility by implicating or outright blaming others."


Same with a lie, no difference; a white lie, is a lie.

Love, Leah

[lighter]

Yup yup yup, Leah.

It's amazing what society lets people get away wit..... out of character is just one excuse. 

[changing]

Leah-

Thank  you for the thread. This is so chillingly true. NH stood across the street after he had lied about me and sent the police to my home. He watched transfixed like a pyromaniac watches a fire he had just started.
He violates boundaries in every white collar way possible. he won't pay his student loans, lies to court, lied in his deposition regarding Workers Compensation, goes bankrupt even though he makes a lot of money, etc He was almost beaten to death once by an enraged husband. The local authorities had no sympathy, but simply told him that he would be wise to leave town (he was there on business)- if only the rest of society made him accountable in that way!!!!

I like thinking about this in a new way and it just may inspire some new Bagworm eradication techniques!!!

Love and Thanks,

Changing

[Leah]

Dear Changing,

Came across this author and his book review quite by chance via another site/article.

Hit me really, as to date, have not seen a source of validation regarding my ex h and his "Out of Character" experiences!

Tempted to place the book on my amazon 'wish list'

Would be wonderful if it were to be a source of inspirational help for the purpose of Bagworm eradication.

Here's hoping!

Love, Leah

[Leah]

What in the psychological makeup of defendants resulted in their committing crimes? Here, a seasoned forensic psychologist delves into the psyches of these otherwise "normal" people, whom he has treated and researched for many years. With first-hand experience interviewing and treating such offenders, Samenow is able to offer numerous case examples of everyday people committing extraordinary crimes. He reveals the significant clues that help to unmask these criminals and the seemingly mundane aspects of their daily lives.

The way a person handles money, consumption of alcohol, sexual history, marital conflicts, job history and performance, interests and hobbies, reading preferences, ambitions and goals, and reactions to frustrations all contribute to the factors leading up to the criminal act.

By probing into these and other aspects of the offenders' lives, the author finds a context for the crimes they commit. He concludes that the "out of character" crime does not exist, that the crime is merely the outer manifestation of what lies beneath the surface.

By taking readers through the steps necessary to understand these criminals, the author shows how we can all read the signs before it is too late. He uses real life examples in every chapter to illustrate his points and readers will come away with a better understanding of how these criminals operate.


http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9780275991944

Review:

"This excellent book is of great value to professionals in the area of criminal justice and to the general public--to anyone who wants to understand criminal behavior that often seems both shocking and difficult to comprehend. Dr. Samenow shows readers the keys to criminal behavior; he takes what seems unexplainable and makes it clear!" - D. Quinn Mills, Professor, Harvard Business School


Review:

"This well-written book is a page turner that should be read by law enforcement personnel, criminal attorneys, judges, and corrections officials. The book is also a must-read for criminologists and students aspiring to work in the field of criminology. The reader will gain fresh insights into criminal behavior from a seasoned psychologist who has spent countless hours interviewing every type of criminal imaginable from shoplifters to child molesters to spree killers." - Terry Leap, Author of Dishonest Dollars: The Dynamics of White-Collar Crime

[changing]

Hi Leah-

Dr. Samenow's website is great- check it out! He has concepts of the month that are amazing- this month is "The Male Criminal's Choice of Women". Oh Lord if I had only known this before, then no Bagworm infestation!!!

Love,

Changing

[Leah]

Hi Changing,

I will go and check it out!

The article you have found is most intriging!

If only we had known all that we know now before leaving the crib!!   

Love, Leah
 

[gratitude28]

Leah,
I don't believe there is anything you can do tht is "out of character." There is no amount of alcohol that would ever make me kill someone... or even sleep with someone other than my husband. There is no amount of anger that would make me kill others to get even. I just don't believe that there is anything that can happen beyond one's set of personal values.
I don't like killing bugs, if I don't have to. But I killed a big hairy spider this week. Out of character? No. I felt bad about it. I killed it because it could have bitten us and I protected us... I would rather not have.
If someone undercharges me, I usually return the money. Have I ever kept it? Yes, I think once or twice.
When I was in school, I thought a lot about suicide. I never would have dreamed of taking anyone with me. I find that repulsive.
We all have our set of values. I really don't believe anything you do is not something you have already decided somewhere in your brain that you will do.
Love, Beth