29. Out of Nowhere

“He seemed so normal. Nobody saw it coming.”

We've all heard those words after something terrible happens. But what if the idea that someone just snaps is one of the biggest misconceptions we have about violent behavior?

In this episode of The Human Pattern, Liv explores three widely believed myths about violent offenders: that people suddenly snap, that certain childhood behaviors predict future serial killers, and that psychopathy automatically means someone is dangerous.

Inspired by a fascinating conversation with forensic psychologist Dr. Paige Wilcoxson on The Consult, we dig into what research actually tells us about violence, warning signs, and the uncomfortable reality that human behavior rarely fits into neat little boxes.

We'll explore the infamous Macdonald triad, the psychology behind hindsight bias, and why some of the traits we associate with dangerous people can also be found in successful professionals.

Because maybe the real question isn't why nobody saw it coming. Maybe it's why we're so desperate to believe we could have.

The Consult, Episode 108: What We Get Wrong About Forensic Psychology, featuring Dr. Paige Wilcoxson.

This episode includes a commercial for Wackernagel Creations, a small business creating handcrafted candles.

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