Hi All
by DOC 04-28-2004
I'd be interested in your understanding and views of this component so that I might expand my perspective based on what you have gleaned from your reading.
I`ve finally got round to posting my thoughts on the 5 books I recommened. I`ll start in reverse order:
The Gift of Fear by Gavin be Becker - A review by Dominic Jones
This book (ISBN: 0440226198) is primarily aimed at women wanting to avoid being the target of violent crime; but I feel its lessons are applicable to all. Its about looking at the phenomenon of intuition/gut feeling as a cognitive process. As De Becker says when talking about intuition I refuse to call it a mystery its a puzzle its about recognizing the pre-incident indicators (PIDs) that precede events.
Intuition of danger is always in response to something and has your best interest at heart. Messages of intuition involve: nagging feelings, persistent thoughts, humour, wonder, anxiety, curiosity, hunches, gut feelings, doubts, hesitation, suspicion, apprehension, fear. The bottom line is trust your instincts, thats what they are there for.
Intuition
The book starts with the description of a lady who is raped in her own home and then escapes her attacker because she had a gut feeling that he would kill her next. The author, after interviewing the victim, was able to identify the PIDs for the initial attack that she was aware of but didnt act upon. It also identified the PIDs that she identified and DID act upon thus probably saving her life.
Manipulation
Be aware that capable criminals use techniques to manipulate their victims. These techniques can include the following. Identifying one in isolation is not necessary a bad sign but seeing a few of them should get the alarm bells a ringing:
FORCED TEAMING
Creating shared experiences by using we sentences. Offering unsolicited help and then capitalising on our shared experiences.
CHARM and NICENESS
Charm is an ability, he charmed her to do XXX. Niceness is not always equal to goodness. Look for the motivation of their niceness. It may be harmless
or not.
TOO MANY DETAILS
People who want to deceive you often give too many details as if trying to prop up their story.
TYPECASTING
Tries to get you to do something you wouldnt normally do. Works well against peoples reaction be being labelled X. For example, you probably too XXXX to do YYYY.
LOANSHARKING
They want you to do something in return for what they did for you. But if you didnt ask for the favour then you dont have to return it.
THE UNSOLICIATED PROMISE
Used by people to convince you that your doubts are unfounded Dont worry.
I promise I wont XXXX
DISCOUNTING THE WORD NO
When people disregard the word No they are trying to control you; or are already in control and dont want to relinquish it.
De Becker has two useful bits of advice No - is a complete sentence and if you are in need of help its better to ask someone than accept unsolicited help.
Its good to remember that as the author says you are not comparing the man who approaches you to the vast majority of men who have no ulterior motive. Instead you are comparing him to other men who make unsolicited approaches and dont listen when you say no. Remember, especially with unsolicited approaches; you dont have to be nice to everyone. Verbally enforcing your boundaries is a good way of staying safe.
When trying to understand your intuition the multiple choice prediction game is a good tactic. Choose 3 or 4 reasons for a situation and the correct answer will usually become obvious.
Harassment
As part of his job De Becker has been asked to help identify people who have been anonymously harassed. One of his best techniques is to talk to the victim and listen for extra unnecessary details. He refers to them as non-required elements in a story: in these details the identity of the harasser is often found. Its like the sub-conscious brain trying to get the attention of the conscious brain.
Be Becker had some good advice about harassers:
Never respond to them.
If they call you all the time, buy an answer phone for that number and get another phone line for your other calls. Approaching the stalker and complaining, threatening them is not usually a good idea it just feeds their obsession and has had fatal results.
Dominics View
When I read the book The Gift of Fear I noticed that I have used some of the above manipulating techniques and have allowed other people to use them on me. Id like to think that Im one of the vast majority of people with no ulterior motive.
I agree that looking out for PIDs could save my life, being aware is the key. This book contained some great advice on staying safe and successfully made the case for trusting your instincts. It has some statements that I dont agree with for example at core, men are afraid women will laugh at them, while at core women are afraid me will kill them.
So in conclusion; trust your instincts - its your subconscious mind trying to get your attention. Fear is a safety feature that is hard wired into you; ignore it at your peril. Criminals and manipulators like to use your wish not to make a scene or appear rude, against you. Being aware of their tactics is half the battle.
I recommend reading this book, as it says on the front cover this book may save your life. Melodramatic
yes; true
yes.
Cheers Dominic :asian: