Manipulative behavior in a child

[JT Woody]

My villain manipulates the village into doing her bidding and even does the whole "fireman setting a fire" thing to be a hero.

My MC is looking for proof and asks if the villain had ever done something like this as a child.

So im wondering what sociopathic and dangerous manipulative behavior in a child would look like.

 

[DLC]

When I was about 10 / 11, there was another kid that was fixated on me for w/e reason. He was always in trubs, and once he wrote his name and mine all over the doors and walls of the school, and told the teachers I did it with him. I hated the asshole and never hung out with him, and pointing that out didn't do any good. So, I spent the following week chasing him about trying to kick his arse and he used this to get me in further shit, ending with my parents coming to the school to hear about it. His story was I bully him into committing his little crimes (he vandalised things, like stuffing rocks in the toilets etc) Ok, I'm looking bad. But my olds told them to fuck off, and that when I get that angry, they know I'm telling the truth. I cannot express how frustrating it was for me stuck in some kinda Kafka story.

 

[JT Woody]

When I was about 10 / 11, there was another kid that was fixated on me for w/e reason. He was always in trubs, and once he wrote his name and mine all over the doors and walls of the school, and told the teachers I did it with him. I hated the asshole and never hung out with him, and pointing that out didn't do any good. So, I spent the following week chasing him about trying to kick his arse and he used this to get me in further shit, ending with my parents coming to the school to hear about it. His story was I bully him into committing his little crimes (he vandalised things, like stuffing rocks in the toilets etc) Ok, I'm looking bad. But my olds told them to fuck off, and that when I get that angry, they know I'm telling the truth. I cannot express how frustrating it was for me stuck in some kinda Kafka story.

Oh man, that sounds horrible!
Im wondering where that guy ended up in life.
One of my bullies died (my HS circulated his obituary last year). Another got hit by a car (he lived tho).
The child in me that was hurt by them is like "good riddence" but the adult me is like "karma sucks".

 

[DLC]

I don't know what become of him. He just told lies and was good at it. I'm not sure what they'd classify him as these days. I can see him conning old ladies out of their savings, forging cheques etc. Hope he got help.

 

[Trish]

My villain manipulates the village into doing her bidding and even does the whole "fireman setting a fire" thing to be a hero.

My MC is looking for proof and asks if the villain had ever done something like this as a child.

So im wondering what sociopathic and dangerous manipulative behavior in a child would look like.

The places I'd start with looking into to see what fits her best would be ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder), NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder), and psychopathic personality/psychopathy. They have different definitions, different reasons, different symptoms and at least one of them usually has specific differences between males and females as far as typical presentation.

Environment, history, and goals definitely play a part in the development and diagnosis of Personality disorders. I can help you narrow it down but would need more info about her first, or you can look up the disorders I mentioned and go from there. She may even be none of these, but they will at least give you a solid starting point.

 

[JT Woody]

The places I'd start with looking into to see what fits her best would be ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder), NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder), and psychopathic personality/psychopathy. They have different definitions, different reasons, different symptoms and at least one of them usually has specific differences between males and females as far as typical presentation.

Environment, history, and goals definitely play a part in the development and diagnosis of Personality disorders. I can help you narrow it down but would need more info about her first, or you can look up the disorders I mentioned and go from there. She may even be none of these, but they will at least give you a solid starting point.

heck yeah!
Thanks for the point in the right direction (lol, i actually started listening to a podcast on killer kids to try to figure this out lol). Its good to have something to look up now

 

[Trish]

heck yeah!
Thanks for the point in the right direction (lol, i actually started listening to a podcast on killer kids to try to figure this out lol). Its good to have something to look up now

You're welcome! If you get stuck, let me know.

 

[JT Woody]

NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder),

ok, this sounds like my villain as an adult. I have tons of instances that back this up.

ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder)

this is more so what im looking at for her as a child, and i figured out how to insert it in my story.
in an earlier chapter, my MMC is talking with my FMC about a time when he and his brother were children and challenged each other to eat toxic plants.
I've switched it to the Villain daring the boys to do it, knowing they could get really, really sick.
And another instance, she spreads a rumor that breaks up a happy couple and blacklists her grandmother (its already established that she retired early).

i think these are good and solves my problem!

 

[Trish]

i think these are good and solves my problem!

Oh good! Glad it was helpful!

 

[Luxuria]

The places I'd start with looking into to see what fits her best would be ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder), NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder), and psychopathic personality/psychopathy. They have different definitions, different reasons, different symptoms and at least one of them usually has specific differences between males and females as far as typical presentation.

Agreed. But from what I know, she would be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder first as that's for under 18's. Then, it might become Antisocial Personality Disorder when she becomes an adult. Then, it's also possible to have a co-occurrent NPD. Also, Borderline Personality Disorder is also an option as it's in the Cluster B disorders. But also, it's a bit more complex than NPD, which might work better. Also Histrionic Personality Disorder is overlooked, I feel. I am sure it would be a lot of fun to write, but it's... messy. But fun.

 

[Trish]

Agreed. But from what I know, she would be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder first as that's for under 18's. Then, it might become Antisocial Personality Disorder when she becomes an adult. Then, it's also possible to have a co-occurrent NPD. Also, Borderline Personality Disorder is also an option as it's in the Cluster B disorders. But also, it's a bit more complex than NPD, which might work better. Also Histrionic Personality Disorder is overlooked, I feel. I am sure it would be a lot of fun to write, but it's... messy. But fun.

Since she was working backwards from an adult behavior pattern, I figured it would lead down the trail to how those start in childhood once behaviors were matched up with the character.