G&A Mom,
Attempted to respond to you but got caught in the door and erased my own post! It's gonna be one of those kind of days...
I'm of the very firm belief that while some abusers may be psychopathic,
all psychopaths are by very nature abusive to many people in their lives. Only the severity and types of abuse differ.
The reason I brought up that abuse doesn't necessarily manifest in the same manner is because sometimes, though rarely, it doesn't and that was a point manipulated by my ex to discount my abuse. (Don't you think if I were abusive, ex-Mrs. would have a, b, c). It was just one example of psychological manipulation used to make me believe I was exaggerating - he, like most psychopaths, took what was the reality, she'd never made claims of abuse or violence on his part at all. In fact she still very much loved him and twisted it to benefit himself, keeping me there.
So you are right when you say they learn over the course of their lifetimes how best to control and manipulate. The difference will be, of course, their victims. They customize their abuse based on their target. Which is why I believe Travis' religion stayed at the forefront between Travis and Jodi as her prime manipulator.
Just wanted to let you know you're very much spot on with their psychology. :thumb:
