I don't think I will ever understand the logic of many of the wasteland inhabitants

For example, in the first game, the Khans kidnap Tandi as retribution for Shady Sands' resistance to them as Aradesh puts it. In New Vegas, the Powder Gangers want to kill Ringo because he killed a few of them, this despite the fact that they attacked his caravan with the intention of robbing him. All he did was fight back in self-defense and defending his caravan, which he was perfectly justified in doing, yet the Powder Gangers act like they were the ones who were wronged. And then during the Ghost Town Gunfight, they call you a murderer when you kill one of them, in spite of the fact that they came to town with murderous intentions.

You have to wonder what is wrong with how people think in the wasteland.

Unfortunately this is all too common human behavior.

Yeah, what GeistSR said. I've met my share.
If our societies ever fall apart and governments and police cease to function properly, this type of narcissistic people will pop up everywhere and will be one of the hardest things decent people will have to deal with.