It is not by accident that people become caught up in the vicious circle of poverty. One can identify in such people methods of managing their aggressiveness, which are inappropriate to the situation. It is probable that such deviant behaviour has in the past been a contributory factor in their lack of employability. The article offers, through examples of this behaviour, a typology of the means of managing aggressiveness. First, those who refuse help and who react to the situation in a way which suggests it is an insult to their dignity. Then there are those who vent their aggressiveness on the place, or the product or service provided. Then there are people who, like some inmates in prisons, seek to re-establish some form of hierarchical order in their homes, where they themselves occupy inevitably the summit position on the pyramid. ‘I want you to show me some respect’, ‘Do you realize who you are talking to?’ Then, we see all those forms of aggressiveness shown towards animals or other people. Next, there is the aggressive behavior directed towards oneself, with behavioral problems linked to cleanliness (behavioral incontinence leading to a general rejection of hygiene), alcoholism and drug-taking. Finally, and more rewarding but less frequent, there are the instances of excessive kindness shown by fragile and dependent personalities. We conclude this survey of case studies with a positive account where the person concerned manages to break free successfully.