Stalkers, Motivations & Psychology

Why do people become stalkers? This article looks into the psychology and motivations behind stalking behaviour.

Misunderstanding Infatuations & Obsessions

I think this is mostly misunderstood by the majority. One reason for this is that not everybody has experienced the torture of having an infatuation. Therefore, they never had the impulse to stalk. It’s perhaps impossible for someone to comprehend the emotional intensity and distress that results from having an infatuation if that person has never been infatuated.

Psychology & Motivations or Stalkers

I believe one of the main causes of stalking behaviour is infatuation. The stalkers become infatuated with a particular person, then their motivations become obvious. They simply wish to be with or near that person. Infatuation is obsession.

The infatuated struggles to think about anyone or anything else other than the person that they are infatuated with. However, despite the obsessive thoughts, not all infatuated individuals become stalkers. Those with a strong moral code won’t engage in stalking behaviour because they know it’s wrong.

Those who are more socially aware and logically minded will also know that stalking will do no good. They will be aware that it will only drive the person you are infatuated with further away from you. It’s very understandable behaviour to want to be near the person that someone is infatuated with. However, the behaviour itself will only drive that person further away from you.

Other Motivations

Narcissists and those who desire control over others can also engage in stalking behaviour. These types can really struggle with rejection, and simply don’t accept the rejection. They may also pursue or stalk someone due to vindictiveness, intentionally wishing to cause distress.

Some may actually have delusions about being in a relationship with the victim.  

Personality Traits

Are there any personality traits that can predict stalking behaviour? I think there is a combination of personality traits that will make developing infatuations and obsessions more likely.

I believe the two main traits would be, introversion and high neuroticism. This is a bad combination that increases the chances of social problems, such as social anxiety.

Social anxiety can prevent someone from meeting new people, and make it more difficult to form social connections. The ability to meet new people is a good defence against infatuations developing, and even if they do form, they can potentially move on quicker from them. High neuroticism is the more important trait that predicts obsessions, due to the sensitivity and volatility of their emotions, and in general, higher amounts of negative emotion.

The trait orderliness may also be a factor. High orderliness and neuroticism is a predictor of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Being obsessive is in their nature which might translate to obsession with other people.

The narcissistic types are likely to be high in extroversion and low in agreeableness. If they wish to cause distress to others, they may also be high in sadism.

Final Comments

Infatuations and obsessions do not necessarily equal stalking behaviour. There needs to be a combination of factors. The act of stalking is self-harming, as well as potentially freaking out the stalking victim.

The desire to be near someone, potentially stalking, doesn’t necessarily lead to the action of stalking. Someone with a strong sense of morality would more than likely stop themselves from acting on their desire if they know it’s wrong.