We often talk about criminals as if intelligence is obvious — labeling people as “masterminds” or dismissing them as “stupid” based on how a crime looks, how complex it seems, or how confidently someone speaks afterward. But psychology doesn’t support those shortcuts.

In this Side Quest, Fulcrum explores why intelligence is so frequently misjudged in criminal behavior. From mistaking complexity for intellect, to confusing articulation with reasoning, to misunderstanding the role of stress, pressure, and intellectual disability, this episode breaks down how perception often replaces psychological reality.

Rather than analyzing a specific case, this Side Quest focuses on the assumptions we bring to crime stories — and why those assumptions can distort understanding, responsibility, and justice.

A reflective, psychology-forward exploration designed to clarify, not sensationalize.

Show Notes

This Side Quest examines common misconceptions about intelligence in criminal behavior, including:

• Why complexity is often mistaken for intelligence
• How stress and pressure distort performance
• The difference between articulation and reasoning
• Why confusion is frequently misread as deception
• How intellectual disability is misunderstood in criminal contexts
• Why audiences gravitate toward the idea of the “smart villain”

Key Psychology Concepts

• Intelligence as a multi-dimensional trait
• Performance under stress vs baseline ability
• Cognitive overload and emotional regulation
• Suggestibility and authority pressure
• Narrative bias and perception shortcuts

About Side Quests

Side Quests are shorter, reflective episodes of Dark Character Profiler that explore psychological concepts, misconceptions, and themes outside of full forensic case analysis. These episodes prioritize understanding and context over diagnosis or sensational storytelling.

Listener Note

This episode is intended for educational and discussion purposes only. It does not diagnose individuals or analyze specific real-world cases.

Presented by Dark Fulcrum Media.

Socials:

https://x.com/DCPwith_Fulcrum

Affiliates:

Never Ending Radio Show: ⁠https://neverendingradioshow.com/⁠

A Kingdom of Ash and Steam: The Ogress Son

⁠https://www.audible.com/pd/B0D7QN97N5/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-403262&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_403262_pd_us

Fulcrum Plays:

https://www.twitch.tv/fulcrum_plays

https://www.youtube.com/@Fulcrum_Plays

https://rumble.com/user/Fulcrum_Plays

Reexamining the psychology of Cruella de Vil through a forensic lens. In this reimagined Dark Character Profiler episode, Fulcrum revisits Cruella’s origins, identity formation, and moral fragmentation, separating myth from motive. This redo delivers a sharper psychological breakdown, exploring trauma, narcissistic traits, and the evolution of one of fiction’s most iconic villains.

In this updated Dark Character Profiler episode, Fulcrum returns to Cruella de Vil with a refined format and deeper psychological focus.

This redo goes beyond surface-level villainy to examine Cruella’s formative experiences, identity construction, and the psychological mechanisms that drive her cruelty. Through a forensic psychology framework, the episode explores how trauma, entitlement, and distorted self-concept contribute to her moral unraveling.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• Cruella’s psychological origins and early identity development

• The role of trauma and perceived rejection in shaping her worldview

• Narcissistic and antisocial traits through a forensic lens

• Moral disengagement and justification of cruelty

• Why Cruella remains a culturally enduring villain

This episode is part of Dark Character Profiler’s ongoing effort to revisit earlier analyses with expanded research, clearer structure, and deeper psychological insight.

🎧 Listener discretion advised.

Presented by Dark Fulcrum Media:

https://darkfulcrummedia.com/

Socials:

https://x.com/DCPwith_Fulcrum

Affiliates:

Never Ending Radio Show: ⁠https://neverendingradioshow.com/⁠

A Kingdom of Ash and Steam: The Ogress Son

⁠https://www.audible.com/pd/B0D7QN97N5/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-403262&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_403262_pd_us

Fulcrum Plays:

https://www.twitch.tv/fulcrum_plays

https://www.youtube.com/@Fulcrum_Plays

https://rumble.com/user/Fulcrum_Plays

References

American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).

Cleckley, H.
The Mask of Sanity.

Hare, R. D.
Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us.

Millon, T.
Personality Disorders in Modern Life.

Smith, Dodie.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians.London: Viking Press, 1956.

Zimbardo, P. G.
The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil.

Today’s episode is slightly delayed and will be released by the end of the week. Thank you for your patience.