Category: Dark Triad

Why Dark-Trait Individuals Seek Out Empathic, Strong, Caring People

This is the other half of the equation, and it’s backed by research. 1. They Target Those Who Are Empathically Generous From a Machiavellian/sadistic/psychopathic perspective, the ideal partner is someone who: This makes the empathetic partner: ➡️ easier to control➡️ easier to manipulate➡️ less likely to leave immediately This is not a weakness — it’s a strength exploited. 2.… Read More Why Dark-Trait Individuals Seek Out Empathic, Strong, Caring People

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Perpetrator Behavior

© Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment | All Rights Reserved. Reposts must reference this site and author: www.lindacjturner.com

(Behavior → Emotional Harm → Legal Relevance) Perpetrator Behavior Emotional / Psychological Harm to Victim Legal Relevance / Evidentiary Value Chronic manipulation, deceit, gaslighting Confusion, self-doubt, anxiety, impaired decision-making; erosion of self-trust. Demonstrates coercive control; pattern of psychological abuse; undermines victim’s ability to consent or make free decisions. Humiliation, degradation, mocking distress Shame, fear, trauma… Read More Perpetrator Behavior

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Playing cruel games

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner © 2025 Linda Carol Turner. Content protected by copyright.
Reproduction or redistribution in any form requires prior written permission from the author.
When quoting or referencing, please cite: Linda Carol Turner, Psychology & Neuroscience Insights.

When someone deliberately plays cruel games with a person who’s already survived horrific trauma, it’s not “just relationship drama.” It’s psychological harm that exploits vulnerability and the brain’s attachment systems. Below I explain the types of people who do this, the neuroscience and psychology behind it, concrete behavioral examples, the typical impact on trauma survivors, and practical… Read More Playing cruel games

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🚀 Billy Bullshitter: The Neuroscience of the Pretend Entrepreneur, Rocket Scientist, Playboy, and Brain Surgeon

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner

🎭 The Performance Meet Billy Bullshitter.On paper — or rather, on profile — he’s a visionary entrepreneur, self-taught pilot, retired brain surgeon, and part-time philosopher who “just loves deep conversations about the universe.” In reality, he’s an ordinary guy in search of extraordinary validation. Billy’s not trying to sell a product. He’s selling himself — or rather, a carefully… Read More 🚀 Billy Bullshitter: The Neuroscience of the Pretend Entrepreneur, Rocket Scientist, Playboy, and Brain Surgeon

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Avoiding Border Control and Authorities

One of the most striking behaviors of people involved in illegal activities is how secretive they are about their past. They often lie or provide vague, contradictory stories about their family, friends, or upbringing. This is a deliberate strategy, designed to prevent anyone from tracing their real history or discovering the truth about their identity. When pressed for details about their background, these individuals often become evasive, deflecting questions or providing false narratives that are difficult to verify.

Many of these individuals have left behind family or friends, sometimes due to scamming or betraying them. In some cases, they may have conned their own relatives out of money or destroyed personal relationships in their pursuit of wealth or power. For those who have burned bridges with their families, the past becomes a liability they must keep hidden. Lies about family or nonexistent relationships allow them to maintain the illusion that they are living a legitimate life when, in reality, they are running from the truth.… Read More Avoiding Border Control and Authorities

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Murder or Manslaughter

If someone intentionally poisons another with drugs (e.g., mixing a lethal dose of a drug or toxic substance knowing it could kill), this is more likely to be classified as murder.

If someone negligently gives another person drugs (e.g., providing someone with drugs that are unknowingly laced with a fatal substance), this might result in involuntary manslaughter, depending on their level of responsibility and awareness.

If someone provides drugs in the course of dealing or trafficking, and death occurs as a result of the drug use, the charge could fall under drug-induced homicide laws, which could lead to either manslaughter or murder charges depending on the specifics of the case.… Read More Murder or Manslaughter

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European Drug Report 2024

Ketamine may also be added to other drug mixtures, including MDMA powders and tablets, potentially making inadvertent consumption an issue. Ketamine has also been found in mixtures sold as ‘pink cocaine’ or ‘tucibi’, which are more likely to contain ketamine and other synthetic drugs, such as amphetamines or MDMA. In contrast to some other parts of the world, mixtures sold as pink cocaine are less likely to contain the synthetic drug 2C-B, which has historically been associated with this product. At least 10 countries reported the detection of pink cocaine to the EU Early Warning System’s database on new drugs, with most of the cases reported by Spain. It is also interesting to note that while the overall figure remains low, both the quantity of 2C-B seized and the number of countries reporting seizures increased in 2022, with 14 countries reporting seizures amounting to just under 6 kilograms of this drug.… Read More European Drug Report 2024

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Triangulation

Triangulation: Triangulation is a psychological manipulation tactic often used in dysfunctional relationships or social dynamics. In this context, the person pits two friends (or groups) against each other by spreading rumors, sharing half-truths, or manipulating information to create conflict. The manipulator remains in control of the situation by fueling the tension between the other parties, effectively keeping them from uniting or seeing the manipulator’s true intent. This behavior is common among individuals with narcissistic traits.The goal of triangulation is to:

Create divisions and keep others in a state of conflict or confusion.

Gain control by being the central figure who controls the flow of information.

Divert attention away from their own actions, thereby avoiding accountability.

Projection: Projection occurs when a person attributes their own unwanted feelin… Read More Triangulation

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Substance Use and Paranoia: How Drugs and Alcohol Fuel Suspicion and Fear

Substance-induced paranoia can have devastating effects on both the individual and those around them. Relationships can be severely strained as the person experiencing paranoia becomes distrustful, accusatory, and sometimes aggressive. In some cases, the paranoia can lead to violent behavior, as the individual feels compelled to “defend” themselves against perceived threats.

For the individual, the constant state of fear and suspicion can be overwhelming. It often leads to social isolation, as they withdraw from friends and family to avoid the imagined dangers. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and despair, creating a vicious cycle of substance use and worsening mental health.

In addition to the psychological toll, substance-induced paranoia can lead to legal and financial problems. For example, a person convinced that they are being followed may take drastic and illegal actions, such as fleeing the scene of an imagined threat or engaging in confrontations with strangers or law enforcement.… Read More Substance Use and Paranoia: How Drugs and Alcohol Fuel Suspicion and Fear

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