Science Forums 2

[mynah]

Two men I've known went on to murder their partners. I only spent one evening in the company of one, and he did not make much of an impression: He was rather quiet and moody-looking, in contrast to his girlfriend, who was vivacious, beautiful and a top model. At the time her father said that he did not like the guy, though he did not say why. Later, after she had dumped him, he followed her to another city and killed her before shooting himself in the head. (He was blinded, but survived.)

The second case involved a classmate at university. He tried to get me into bed even though he was engaged at the time (I discovered later). Our lecturers thought him a paragon of virtue and an example to us all, but he was the first person I met in connection with whom the word "psychopath" came to my mind, and rather strongly, at that. I'm not sure why I singled him out: He didn't appear aggressive and knew how to butter up people, but he held some extremist views and seemed to have no conscience at all. He went on to marry his fiancee, and years later killed her - ironically because he suspected her of having an affair.

To get back to the thread, sometimes those uneasy feelings about people do mean you're dealing with a person of whom you should steer clear. I'd say, however, that in many instances, it is simply a matter of having a complex relationship with someone - as with your parents, who both nurture and discipline you.