Psychological manipulation

Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the behavior or perception of others through indirect, deceptive, or underhanded tactics. By advancing the interests of the manipulator, often at the other's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative and devious. Psychological manipulation differs from healthy social influence in that it often involves the manipulator's intent to control or take advantage of the victim in an unethical or harmful manner.

Overview

Psychological manipulation involves the manipulator creating an imbalance of power, and exploiting the victim to serve their agenda. The core elements of psychological manipulation include: Emotional manipulation, Gaslighting, Persuasion techniques, and Coercive control. Manipulators may use various methods including, but not limited to, assertiveness, social influence, cognitive biases, and ingratiation techniques.

Techniques

Some common techniques of psychological manipulation include:

• Gaslighting: Making someone question their reality in order to gain more power over them.
• Love Bombing: Overwhelming someone with loving words, actions, and behavior as a manipulation tactic.
• Triangulation: Bringing a third person into the dynamics of a relationship to exert control or create insecurity.
• Negging: Giving backhanded compliments or negative comments to undermine the victim's self-esteem and increase their need for the manipulator's approval.

Signs of Being Manipulated

Recognizing the signs of psychological manipulation can be challenging. Some indicators include:

• Feeling confused or crazy in a relationship.
• Constantly apologizing.
• Frequently making excuses for the manipulator's behavior.
• Feeling obligated or coerced into doing things.
• Experiencing a fear of displeasing the manipulator.

Effects

The effects of psychological manipulation can be profound, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Dependency on the manipulator
• Loss of autonomy

Dealing with Manipulation

Dealing with psychological manipulation involves:

• Recognizing the signs.
• Establishing boundaries.
• Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals.
• Practicing self-care and affirmations to rebuild self-esteem and autonomy.

See Also

• Abuse
• Coercive persuasion
• Emotional abuse
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Psychopathy

References

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