Some individuals with AS **deliberately provoke emotional reactions** in their NT partners to observe and study the response — treating the relationship like a scientific experiment. **Liza's story:** Her AS partner would provoke her until she "lost it," proving to him that she was "the crazy one." He mimicked her emotional responses, "parroting" her exact words, like reading a script. He seemed to be studying emotions rather than experiencing them. While not maliciously motivated, this behavior is **extremely destructive**. Other destructive patterns: the silent treatment (emotional withdrawal as punishment), unrealistic expectations of unconditional love without reciprocity, and verbal or physical abuse. **Critical boundary:** AS is not an excuse for abusive behavior. The chapter provides a script for NTs: > "You are deliberately provoking me to try to make me get upset and angry. I will not tolerate this. You must stop at once and never do this again. If you want to ask me questions about feelings, you may do so. But do not ever again deliberately provoke me." **Source:** Lovett, *Solutions for Adults with Asperger Syndrome*, Ch 6 (pp159-161) See also: [[Emotional Expression Robot Like AS]], [[Ken and Janet Case]]