Inadequate Personalities


There’s a perception that all criminals are egotists who think they’re better than everyone else. There certainly are those, but there’s also a good hunk who have what shrinks call a weak self-image. These folks generally can’t respond effectively to emotional and social demands. They don’t necessarily fall apart, but they don’t respond in a reliable manner.

In everyday situations, inadequate personalities come off as being slightly hysterical and unsure of themselves. Hostage negotiators deal with them by going heavy on ego support and giving them a way out of the situation. People with a weak ego need direction, and they need stroking to back up that direction. We will often point out that they’re facing overwhelming odds, and we’ll emphasize the fact that the ninjas are out there. But as we talk to them about the alternatives to the ninjas, we try to make the subject see that the alternative benefits them.

What they often need is a face-saving way of surrendering. They have weak egos to begin with, so if you can give them a way to boost their ego slightly, they won’t feel as if they’re backing down.




Negotiate and Win. Proven Strategies from the NYPD's Top Hostage Negotiator
Negotiate and Win: Proven Strategies from the NYPDs Top Hostage Negotiator
ISBN: 0071737774
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 180

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