The 6 types of stalkers and their motivations

Social relationships are complicated, and that is why it is very easy for things to go wrong at times. But this does not happen only with those people with whom we associate voluntarily. Sometimes, problems arise with those who impose their presence and certain patterns of interaction on us.

In this article we will talk precisely about the different types of bullies, and the different ways in which their presence affects us negatively.

• Related article: "What is psychological harassment? 22 alarm signals"

What is bullying?

Bullying is not just a problem between two people: is part of a social problem, since it is a more widespread activity than it may seem. In fact, there are indications that approximately 14% of women and around 6% of men have experienced or will experience harassment at some point in their lives.

On the other hand, the fact that more and more people are in contact with the new technologies linked to the Internet means that, more than Probably, as the years go by, bullying through the network of networks will become something more and more general, especially at age school.

Although there is no fully agreed definition, in an approximate way it is considered that the harassers are people who regularly and systematically maintain a behavior focused on intimidating, harming, or following and meddling in a person's life beyond the control of the latter. In most cases, physical attacks do not take place, but the harassment is based on a disruptive presence, either in a live environment or remotely, via the Internet or other means technological.

Now, within this repertoire of the category of what constitutes harassment, there is room for a wide repertoire of unwanted behaviors. It is not the same to leave offensive messages painted on the facade of the home than to chase down the street taking photos of the victim, for example. Depending on these nuances, the physical or psychological impact caused by this attitude may differ. much, as well as the treatment that the judiciary will give the matter in case of going to a judge or to the police.

On the other hand, it also happens that depending on the psychological profile of the person who interrupts the well-being of the victim, the former will be more likely to carry out certain actions than others. Whoever harasses usually does so consistently, complying with certain regularities. It is these behavior patterns that can be used to differentiate between types of stalkers, as we will see below.

The different types of stalkers

One thing is clear: to know how to deal with a stalker, you must first know what type of stalker you are dealing with. From this, it is possible to behave in a consistent way taking into account their motivations, and take action on it.

According to Dr. Ronald M. Holmes, Emeritus Professor of Criminology, we can differentiate between 6 types of stalker with their own characteristics and strategies to be present in the life of the victim. They are next.

1. political stalker

The political harasser has a detrimental influence on the life of the victim because of his political convictions. That means you may agree or disagree with the person being harassed, or they may be important or anonymous, but the attacker gives a value to this person because of the meaning they have from the point of view of how society should be organized and the resources.

For example, the political harasser can follow a parliamentarian to her house every day to intimidate him, or he can try to to constantly contact a journalist to be able to speak at length with him, because he believes that they share opinions.

2. celebrity stalker

This is one of the most well-known types of stalker, since it is the spitting image of the fan phenomenon taken to the extreme. It's about people obsessed with their idols, referents who have become famous, usually at a national or international level, and who try to be in contact with them at all costs. Their behavior is usually unpredictable and highly influenced by emotions

• You may be interested in: "Marina Joyce and the fan phenomenon: conspiracies and kidnappings"

3. for loving humiliation

This category is made up of stalkers who feel frustrated or humiliated because, after having made moves to arouse a person's romantic interest, they feel rejected, with which they make her the target of their harassment.

The cases of erotomania, a mental disorder in which the person believes that another is in love with them but does not show it, can be understood as a subtype of this class of stalkers.

• Related article: "Erotonomia: definition, symptoms, characteristics and treatment"

4. lusty

This type of stalkers are characterized by be motivated by lust and sexual arousal. Although at first it is very typical that they just follow the victims, they frequently end up going further, directly assaulting or even raping.

5. domestic stalker

In this case, the victim is harassed in a relatively private environment, normally the partner or lover. These harassers can be seen as engaging in domestic violence, either through outright attacks on the person's dignity or through physical attack.

6. Professional

In this case, the harassment is the result of a commercial agreement with a third party, who pays to subdue the victim.