The video discusses the manipulative tactics used by some serial killers, particularly focusing on the "sob story" as a method to test potential victims' boundaries and assess their susceptibility to manipulation. The speaker explains that serial killers, when interviewed, have admitted to using fabricated or exaggerated tragic personal histories to elicit sympathy. This sympathy serves as an indicator of a potential victim's willingness to engage and potentially be exploited. If a potential victim responds with significant empathy and concern to the sob story, the killer identifies them as a viable target. Conversely, if the potential victim shows little interest or deflects the conversation, they are deemed unsuitable. The underlying psychological principle highlighted is narcissism, which is characterized by a pathology of manipulation. To effectively manipulate, a narcissist needs to understand the extent to which someone can be manipulated, and the sob story acts as a "pressure test" to gauge this. The sob story is thus presented as both a weapon and a tool for assessing vulnerability.

RICHARD GRANNON

Male serial killers, when they are interviewed, uh, this was, this was done in America, have said they sometimes use a sob story, uh, something terrible has happened to them, they're a victim, on potential female victims to see where her boundaries are.

So, if he's like, he tells a really, really sad story and she's like, "Oh my god, poor you. Oh, that's terrible." This is a victim. If he tries it and she's really not that interested or changes the subject, that's not a good potential victim.

Narcissism is, um, a pathology of manipulation. And in order to know if you're manipulatable, I have to pressure test you. So the sob story can be a weapon and a pressure.

The Narcissist’s Sympathy Trap: Are You Target Material?

male serial killers when they are
interviewed uh this was this was done in
America have said they sometimes use a
sob story uh something terrible has
happened to them they're a victim on
potential female victims to see where
her boundaries are. So, if he's like he
tells a really really sad story and
she's like, "Oh my god, poor you. Oh,
that's terrible."
This is a victim. If he tries it and
she's really not that interested or
changes the subject, that's not a good
potential victim. Narcissism is um a
pathology of manipulation. And in order
to know if you're manipulatable, I have
to pressure test you. So the Sob story
can be a weapon and a pressure

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The Narcissist’s Sympathy Trap: Are You Target Material?

Transcription