Knowledge Centre

Theory of Mind in Self Defense is an eight-part series that provides readers with relevant, informative and insightful information on the ecosystem of interpersonal violence and self-defense. Based on extensive research, it is intended to serve as a practical resource tool that is not just targeted towards the professional self-defense community, but more importantly towards all individuals from all communities (private and public) who have an interest to better understand interpersonal violence, with the goal to increasing personal safety and security. Each paper covers an independent topic that progressively builds upon the next, providing deep analysis and insight into the complex multi-factored ecology of interpersonal violence and self-defense.

This comprehensive flagship series is a project that I have endeavored on over the last two years. Not only does it represent the accumulation of my own personal views and experiences in dealing with interpersonal violence and self-defense, but it also makes a best effort attempt to provide readers with the latest in professionally backed research. Many if not most of my secondary sources come from a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary fields including criminal justice, law enforcement, forensics, military, criminal psychology, cognitive psychology, social and behavioral psychology, human health, and much more. It is meant to provide you with a knowledge base in best practices, and a holistic end-to-end analytical framework for understanding interpersonal violence which can be integrated into your own self-defense practices and training.

Part I: The Realities of Violence. This answers the question what is violence? provides a comprehensive overview on the various definitions, categories and different types of violence. It also provides readers with a detailed case study analysis of violent victimizations in the US from the FBI 2019 census. Download here.

Part II: Foundational Concepts and Legal Principles in Self Defense. This answers the question what is self-defense and how does the law protect me? It helps you to understand what the natural, moral and legal right to self-defense is, and includes a detailed case study analysis on Canadian federally regulated self-defense law. Download here.

Part III: Who Are You and What is Your Defensive Persona? This introduces the personal psychology behind what it is to develop defensive persona. It explores underlying personal assumptions and biases on violence, and provides steps on how to assess your own personal risk profile. It also helps you to understand what the Opportunity Theory of Crime is. Download here.

Part IV: Who Is The Violent Offender? This is an ambitus paper that provides a deep dive on understanding the criminal mind. It explores the personality traits of a violent offender, what the target selection process is, and what the root factor causes of interpersonal violence are. Download here.

Part V: Where and When Are You At Risk? This an exploration of the locational categories of risk, the temporal categories of risk, and the four stages of a violent crime model. It breaks down common misconceptions and puts forth a more practical framework on understanding place, time and the ecology of a crime. Download here.

Part VI: Characteristics of a Violent Interaction and Threat Indicators. This explores some of the different tactical characteristics used by violent offenders in both proactive and reactive violence. It also provides insightful details on the different types of threat indictors to look for. Download here.

Part VII: Situational Awareness and the Eight Point Path to Self Defense. This integrates all of the above theory and applies it to one of the most important preventative self-defense practices that you can learn – Situational Awareness. It further provides practical guidance on incorporating threat assessment, and layers over the different mental states that are required to engage in SA practices. It introduces the Eight Point Path to Self-Defense which outlines the various preventative, mitigative and tactical strategies for use. Download here.

Part VIII: Tactical Engagement Cycle in Self Defense. This introduces a practical framework for analyzing the various phases of a violent interaction. It explores the various characteristics and properties of such of TEC, and further introduces a number of tactical considerations under the DDELTA framework model. Download here.