Scripts

We use scripts a lot in our conversations, and behaviors, because they allow us an expected outcome. When we say “hello” to somebody or ask them how their day was, we can be pretty sure they’ll respond with “hello” and tell us that their day is going well, etc., even if they’re experiencing the worst day of their life. As human beings, we like familiarity and predictability; uncertainty causes us distress, and it’s something we tend to avoid – it’s one of the reasons that when couples argue, about a certain issue or incident, the argument is soon brought back too old, well-trodden disagreements, which both parties are comfortable discussing and debating; they both know the outcome(s) and results of these well-worn scripts. The argument over something “new”, is allowed a release of tensions and frustrations, by using familiar scripts. We have probably all had a feeling of surprise/apprehension when somebody doesn’t follow a familiar script e.g., we ask somebody how they are, and instead of telling us they’re fine, they actually start to answer our question fully. It’s not so much that we are uncomfortable with the content and material of their conversation, but rather that they’re not following the expected script. Criminals and violent individuals also follow scripts, which they expect us to follow. In some types of incident, it is in our self-interest to do so, and in others, it may be more effective to try to interrupt the script and respond in an unexpected way, so as to create an avoidance/disengagement opportunity. 

When a mugger demands your wallet/possessions, they are following a script. The outcome of which is that you acquiesce and comply with their demand – that is their expected response, and one which - in most cases - will see them complete the script by leaving. Muggers are so sure of this outcome that in the majority of muggings, they don’t bother to display a weapon or don’t even have one on them. In 64% of reported street robberies in Boston the assailant used “strong arm” tactics to force compliance, rather than threatening their target(s) with a weapon; in 14% of cases a firearm was used, in 12% a knife, and in the remaining, other objects such as screwdrivers, bricks and scissors, etc. Muggers are so sure of the robbery script, that they don’t need to use a weapon to force compliance. It is important to note that just because a weapon wasn’t visible in the above-mentioned crimes, it doesn’t mean one wasn’t present, and wouldn’t be used should a target try to deviate from the script, by refusing to hand over their goods, however the power of the script itself is usually enough for them to achieve their goals. Most people I have spoken to who have been victims of muggings, have said they never considered not handing their wallet/goods over – that they were caught in a moment where they didn’t have the power or inclination to deviate from the script, and the expected response. In mugging scenarios, my advice is almost always to follow the script and hand over what’s being demanded of you; the mugger is leaving with your goods, the variable being if they have to use physical violence to do so. However, if the mugger goes off-script, by not leaving after you’ve acquiesced to their demand, they’re no longer behaving like a mugger, and in all probability, it will now be necessary to enact a physical solution – which may involve confronting/dealing with an assailant who hasn’t drawn their weapon yet, or doesn’t have one. If we can understand how different criminals use scripts, we may have a chance to predict when the use of physical force is necessary, and when it is not.

Though we are generally better off complying with a mugger’s demands, there are also those times we may want to interrupt the script. Take a situation where you are walking home late at night, and you suddenly become aware of footsteps behind you i.e. your fear system has given you a shot of adrenaline, changing your emotional state, and because of this you become aware of a threat/danger in your environment. You may at first deny/discount the intentions of the person behind you, telling yourself that you’re being paranoid, and/or that they may just be in a hurry to get past you, etc., or you may decide to test out whether this person has deliberately synchronized their movement to yours because they have an interest in you – possibly harmful – or whether they have just inadvertently fallen into step with you, or are in a rush to overtake you because you’re walking slowly. You may decide to speed up a bit, and find that the person behind you increases their pace, as well. You cross the road, and they do so to. At this point, you have every reason to believe that this person has an interest in you. You may decide that, despite social awkwardness, your best option is to confront them in a non-aggressive manner, by turning to face them (increasing your chances of physically defending yourself) and asking them, “Are you following me?” If this was an individual with a nefarious purpose who has harmful intent towards you, you’ve just interrupted their script. If this script was sexual in nature, you’ve likely interrupted their state of arousal. Rapes and Sexual Assaults are born out of masturbatory fantasy, and if the person behind you was going to assault you in this way, then they would have been running through their fantasy as they followed you, building themselves up emotionally to the point where they were ready to make their attack. By asking them a question, they will be forced to respond in some way, and this will interrupt their fantasy and script. In all likelihood they will say “no”, and search for a new, easier, and less prepared victim, who they can place into their uninterrupted fantasy. I’m not advocating that we turn and question everyone whose footsteps come to our attention, however if we have tested their interest in us, and found it to be evident, we shouldn’t shy away from dealing with the incident.

Scripts are powerful things, which help us navigate situations quickly and easily. Sometimes it is to our betterment to follow them, and not put our aggressor(s) in an agitated state; the calmer, more relaxed a mugger is, the less likely they are to panic and decide to use violence. We can also recognize the presence of physical violence when somebody doesn’t follow a script, such as a mugger who doesn’t leave after we comply with their demand(s). Sometimes we may want to interrupt a script by taking away the advantages that it gives and aggressor/assailant. By understanding scripts and criminal processes we will be better prepared to make effective responses in the incidents and events we may find ourselves dealing with.