Psychopaths are individuals who have a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, a callous disregard for others' feelings, and manipulative behavior. When their well-nuanced manipulation fails to achieve their desired outcomes, their reactions and behaviors can vary based on their individual personality traits and the specific situation. Here are some possible ways psychopaths may act if their manipulation doesn't work:
Anger and Frustration: Psychopaths may become angry and frustrated when their attempts to manipulate others fail. They might feel entitled to control and exploit people around them, and being unable to do so can trigger emotional outbursts.
Persistence and Adaptation: Some psychopaths might persist in their manipulation attempts, trying different tactics or strategies to achieve their goals. They are often very persistent and may not give up easily.
Withdrawal and Planning: If they realize that their manipulation is not working in a particular situation, some psychopaths may temporarily withdraw and plan their next move. They might reassess the situation, gather more information, and devise a new strategy to achieve their objectives.
Gaslighting and Blaming: Psychopaths may resort to gaslighting, a manipulative tactic where they distort the truth, deny their actions, or blame others to make their targets doubt their perceptions and sanity.
Escalation of Manipulation: In some cases, when their initial manipulation doesn't work, psychopaths may escalate their tactics, becoming more aggressive or deceitful in their attempts to control others.
Seeking New Targets: Psychopaths might decide to abandon their current targets and seek out new victims whom they believe will be more vulnerable to their manipulative tactics.
Lack of Emotional Response: Psychopaths may show a lack of emotional response or indifference to the failure of their manipulation. They might not experience emotions in the same way as non-psychopathic individuals and, as a result, may not be as affected by their lack of success.
It's important to remember that psychopathic behavior exists on a spectrum, and individuals may display different combinations of traits. Additionally, while psychopaths are often skilled manipulators, their behavior doesn't guarantee success in all situations, and they can encounter obstacles or failures like anyone else.