Identify the classic psychological profile of an abuser

Considerable efforts have been made to develop a classification or typology of offenders. But research has not yet produced valid empirical data that can scientifically support it. However, there is evidence of the existence of a series of common traits in all abusers. These allow us to know what the psychological profile of an abuser is.

Traditionally, from a young age, boys and girls are taught differently. They are educated in care and sensitivity. They are given guidelines to preserve the beauty and attractiveness of their dolls and to show tenderness and pity for others. All this under the protective umbrella of man.

As a general rule, they are given toys based on bravery, bravery or courage. And often, they are exposed to contact sports. The goal is that in the future they become strong and tough men, without a hint of weakness and capable of protecting the ladies.

Determining factors: social influence and traditional values

The media play an essential role in this form of early segregation. The series and movies continue to have as their main protagonist the muscular police officer, the man who is the head of the family and protector, or the vigorous superhero. And although the female analogue has recently and timidly begun to be introduced, there are still really few films that have the woman as the savior of man as their protagonist.

Generally, An abuser is a person who has very traditional values ​​and has grown up in an environment with sexist stereotypes. Thus, since he was little, he has been internalizing them in such a way that as an adult he considers them as an ideal that every person should follow.

Psychological profile of an abuser

From the two factors mentioned above, it can be deduced that, in the vast majority of cases, the victims are women. And the abusers, men. The figures support this statistical proportion. Below we point out its most characteristic features.

Cognitive biases: rigid psychology

Abusers often have distorted thoughts about sexual roles. They consider the other gender to be inferior to them and justify it through violence. They are people who are full of prejudices, which makes them react violently.

Your signs of intolerance They turn them into tyrants, stubborn, obstinate and undemocratic. Their rigidity of thought means that they always impose their personal criteria in any circumstance. They leave no room for criticism, self-criticism or other points of view contrary to their own. They tackle confrontation with despotism.

Inability to solve problems

Their cognitive inflexibility makes it impossible for them to learn or seek solutions to their problems. This may be because They present polar or dichotomous thinking. That is, they position themselves at one of the two extremes: either good or bad. There is no middle ground or possible measure.

The evidence explains that they see everything as black or white because they have been raised according to this criterion. They are usually the children of people with a very strict and upright education.

Low self-esteem

His childhood has marked the course of his emotional development. That’s why, The psychological profile of an abuser shows a clear lack of self-esteem. This lack of consideration and love for oneself can be the cause or consequence of abuse. Of course, in neither case is it justified.

The problem is that he is not aware of his lack of self-love. And instead of training his self-concept, he chooses to adopt a passive-aggressive attitude in all areas of his life.

Communication difficulties

This passive resistance when dealing with people shows their difficulties in communicating effectively with others. In fact, The lack of assertiveness is one of the characteristic features of the psychological profile of an abuser.

The way they have imposing authority and rules is through resentment, stubbornness or laziness. An abusive person is usually not very assertive, so they do not express themselves directly or clearly.

Emotional dependence

The main consequence of the deterioration in relationships with other people is gradual social isolation. Lacking all kinds of friends, the attention he gives is focused solely on his partner.

Little by little, their love relationship becomes an obsession for them. They generate emotional dependence because they consider the other as their only point of support and the source of all intimacy. And they demand more and more and the relationship becomes unhealthy.

Need for control

By developing this submission, they feel the need and obligation to control everything their partner does or feels: their work, the relationships they have with their family, their circle of friends, their tastes… Develops attitudes of extreme vigilance and unhealthy jealousy.

Frustration

There are very frequent cases in which, as a result of their frustration at work, abusers release all their anger and rage into the domestic environment. They manifest exacerbated irritability and a general lack of control over their impulses. This type of violence, called expressive, tends to be reinforced as the violent episodes occur.

Without self-control or empathy

The psychological profile of an abuser is characterized by the lack of emotional control of the aggressors. They are illiterate in emotional terms. They have great difficulty expressing what they feel, They do not know how to reflect on their inner self and lack any type of empathy. This deprives them of any type of remorse about the harm they have caused to their victim.

seductive lie

Normally, they conquer their victim by seducing her. They are manipulative people, they use lies and false promises. and they are capable of adopting any type of role to get their way.

Although each case is particular, these traits make up the psychological profile of an abuser. You can see how they are selfish, sexist and manipulative people and for whom psychological abuse is their main way of relating.

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