Kia ora e hoa,

WARNING: some of linked content is graphic.

The YouTube algorithm** got me hooked. I've been diving deep into criminal psychology. That's thanks to this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYwVxWpjeKFWwu8TML-Te9A.

The video that led me down this rabbit hole:

Crime aside (not because the act isn't important, but it's rather gruesome, and I want to spare you the detail), I want to focus more on the psychological aspect of criminology. For example, in this video, we can see how someone acts crazy but is fully attentive to their devious actions. The suspect appeals to a case of insanity in hopes of reducing their sentence punishment. This rarely works for two reasons. One is that their act is always revealed. And, two, seeking mental asylum can be worse than conventional punishment.

I'm so fascinated by psychology. You can tell if someone is guilty or innocent by the way they act.

I also appreciate the detectives who conduct these interrogations. Everything is deliberate. We want to think planned, but most action is reactionary (i.e. they respond to what the suspect is saying). This means they need to listen and then think about their reaction constantly. Years of deliberate practice is taken to get to this point. It is like watching a highly seasoned athlete perform.

Some tactics interrogators employ involve rapport building. Engraving trust, suspects potentially leak more information, provide their motives for the crime, or even confess to the allegations. It's truly remarkable to watch.

Relating to my job as an optometrist, we need to build rapport and ultimately trust. Obviously, our intent is not to prove someone guilty but to make patients feel comfortable sharing their eye problems to provide solutions.

So, why am I talking about police interrogations and my job? I want to point out how deliberate the process of detective talking to the suspect or person in question. It's carefully thought out. Looking at optometry, we have courses and post qualification courses on glaucoma, myopia control, contacts lenses etc. But nothing on rapport building, patient interaction (as far as I'm aware).

The art of taking getting to know the other person. Are these skills you are born with? Or develop as you go along with your job? Does patient interaction deserve its own category of learning? Can it be improved by deliberate review and practice? I think this skill can be sewn, watered and harvested to be passed on to others. What do you think?

Thanks for reading and all the best for the week ahead.

Ngā mihi nui,

Shivan :)

**I want to say the YouTube algorithm isn't some evil contraption out there to get us addicted. All it does is sort what is thought to be to most relevant content in hopes of keeping us entertained.

My Favourite Things

1. Podcast How to make a budget that isn't about punishing yourself - Cooking the Books with Frances Cook Great podcast about creating a budget and a budget that isn't restrictive. If a budget is too restrictive, then it is not likely sustainable.

2. Podcast Series True Crime Psychology and Personality Keeping to the theme of police interrogation, this podcast explore the minds of criminality. I find this truly interesting as I am fascinated by the 'why', which is often linked to psychology.

3. Book Algorithms to Live By This book was recommended to me by a reader. You would think computer and human minds are completely different, but we see how the most important algorithms are present in our daily living.

Kindle Highlight of the Week

If you’ve got a problem, chances are millions of other people have had it in the past, have it now, and are going to have it in the future.

Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck