In addition to the Gray Rock Method, another mental model we can use to understand what the psychopath wants, is the Slot Machine Model. The bright colored “slots”, also known as the One-Armed-Bandit, are addictive to compulsive gamblers. They while away the hours parked in front of one or a bank of slot machines, inserting their coins and hoping for a pay day. The slots generally take your money for nothing. Mostly it just spins the numbers and fruit and makes noise but occasionally it spits out a little incentive, a few coins just to keep you hooked. After I learned that the psychopath’s true desire was solely for my emotions, I channeled the One-Armed-Bandit’s response mechanisms to entice him with emotional currency.
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