Walking like a victim: how to avoid being an easy target.
Walking like a victim: how to avoid being an easy target. Predators often target those they perceive as "easy prey" – weakened individuals. Similarly, in human studies, criminals consistently choose specific individuals from a list of potential targets. Interestingly, carriers of sadistic and psychopathic traits are much more accurate at identifying vulnerable individuals than the average person.
They do this subconsciously, primarily assessing gait, posture, and gaze patterns. The success of predators lies in their much more accurate understanding of a victim's vulnerability.
In humans, as social animals, displaying vulnerability also serves another purpose as a social signal that you refuse to fight for social rank and acknowledge your submission.
Evolutionarily, a submissive posture (and infantile behavior) signifies acknowledgment of defeat to prevent further aggression in the struggle for status. You can observe this in animals – they roll onto their backs and "raise their paws," exposing their vulnerable spots. Depression also leads to changes in posture, causing a person to shrink, as if trying to take up as little space as possible and avoiding drawing attention to oneself. However, while this mechanism may alleviate the pressure of competitive struggle, it unfortunately attracts predators.
Let's dissect the three main signs of an "easy target":
1. Gait.
The gait is a primary indicator of a victim. An unsteady, swaying walk, as if the person is dragging their feet. Differences in gait include stride length (short or long versus medium), weight shifting (up and down as opposed to lateral), lateral or contralateral movement, and placement of feet: lifted feet versus swung, resulting in a non-synchronous gait.
2. Posture.
Potential victims might unconsciously transmit vulnerability through what researchers have termed “gestural hinting”. This includes a slouched posture, timid movements, restless hand movements, and lack of coordination. Victims exhibit disjointed gestures, such as non-fluid body movements or the lifting, rather than graceful swinging, of the feet.
3. Gaze.
An indicator of an easy target is whether you are present at the moment (and aware of potential threats) or lost in thought. Signs include avoiding direct eye contact, not reacting to stares, not looking around, and failing to notice surveillance or signs of an impending attack. Ask yourself, in what state do you walk the streets?
How to become a difficult target.
1. Posture, gait, and gaze.
Maintain a poised, relaxed, and steady posture. Be present in the moment. Walk with an easy, athletic stride, showing alertness and energetic movements. Non-victims “have an organized quality” about their body movements, appearing comfortable in their actions. This is why abusers are so irritated by the behavior of free individuals – smiling, straightened shoulders, direct eye contact – it aggravates them.
2. Interrupt victimization.
Often, physical violence is preceded by psychological manipulation – the intended victim and those around them are constantly told of their inadequacy, and they are discredited and victimized in various ways. This is done to make the person believe they are "inferior" and not resist, preventing others from standing up for them. Constantly interrupt any attempts at victimization, whether directed at you or others, in person or online. Remember that verbal victimization precedes physical violence. Also, avoid self-victimization cause it attracts abusers.
3. Refuse negotiations about how to be eaten.
Attempts to find a compromise, negotiate, or demonstrate compliance only show your weakness to the bearer of dark intentions and increase the likelihood of aggression. Only a demonstration of strength can stop a sadist or psychopath. Yes, perhaps the sadist is stronger than you, but if you show that you can cause significant harm to them, it will deter them from attacking (remember that they always have narcissistic traits and fear being harmed). Negotiations can only be made with those willing and able to negotiate.
4. Moral readiness to kill the aggressor.
It is read unconsciously and can only be acquired through real experience of confrontation. This is why it's beneficial for children to play "rough games without rules" and for both boys and girls to learn martial arts. They teach how to use force and endure pain from blows and attacks.
Remember, your brain and body are your primary weapons. The readiness to bite off the aggressor's ear or lip and strike them with any part of your body—head, fist, elbow, knee, or foot—is perceived nonverbally. It signals that you will be morally and physically ready to resist desperately rather than digging your grave. Even if the aggressor is stronger than you, you become a "difficult target" for them—they will refrain from aggression.
Psychopathy and Victim Selection: The Use of Gait as a Cue to Vulnerability February 2013 Journal of Interpersonal Violence 28(11)
The influence of body posture of bullying victim selection Brandilyn Judith Gilbert 2013
Attracting Assault: Victim's Nonverbal Cues. 1981 Journal of Communication 31 (1): 68–75.
‘Evil’ Intentions: Examining the Relationship between the Dark Tetrad and Victim Selection Based on Nonverbal Gait Cues.” Personality and Individual Differences 138 (February): 126–32