Did you know? Essential Mastery on Twitter shares a very useful thread for understanding the psychology of manipulation.
But, firstly, what is manipulation? According to the Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy, manipulation is a form of influence that can be coercion or rational persuasion. Additionally, it is regarded to include moral disapprobation.
The signs
Interestingly, have you ever wondered about the signs of psychological manipulation? Also, have you ever thought about being psychologically manipulative? Here are some of the signs to help you identify:
- They push you to speak first
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- As they encourage you to speak first, it is a baseline for them to evaluate your strengths and weakness.
- Gaslighting
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- It is one of the manipulation techniques that have you questioning your beliefs, memory and understanding.
- Intellectual bullying
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- When someone takes advantage of you by alleging facts, statistics and other things you are unaware of, it is intellectual bullying.
- Raising their voice
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- This is an aggressive form of manipulation that inflicts fear.
- Silent treatment
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- Ignoring their messages and calls is one of the signs of the silent treatment.
- Negative humour
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- They joke about things that are sensitive or throw hate comments at you.
- And sadly, they think of it as a joke.
- Negative humour imposes psychological superiority.
- Not giving you the liberty to decide
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- They pressure you to make an instant decision without thinking about your mental or emotional state.
- Choice of meeting location
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- They ask you to the place where they are more comfortable being.
- This is a disadvantage to you because they can be more dominating.
How to avoid being psychologically manipulative?
- First, don’t overtalk or overshare
- Secondly, allow yourself to leave the conversation if it gets uncomfortable
- Thirdly, be confident
- Fourthly, make preparations before going on a meeting with others
- After that, stay composed
- Then, state your points clearly
- Other than that, ignore their hurtful remarks
- Additionally, don’t stoop to their level because you are better than them
- Also, keep a positive attitude and mindset
- Ask for time
- Finally, reject their offer and propose a more neutral place for you both to meet
Interestingly, Essential Mastery also says “a manipulative person’s best trick is to always make you believe that the problem is not (them), but you.”
Hence, know yourself and the people around you. Let’s avoid individuals that are psychologically manipulative for our well-being. (And don’t be one.)
Sources: Twitter Essential Mastery, Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy