Are You Being Manipulated?

Hindsight is 20/20. It’s in the moment that it can be most difficult to figure out that we are being manipulated. Manipulation is when one person uses harmful emotional and mental tactics to influence other people. The manipulator creates an imbalance of power to take advantage of their victim. The manipulator’s goal is to gain power, control, and privileges at the expense of the victim.

Common Manipulation Tactics

Manipulators know what your weaknesses are and learn how to best exploit them. They will use your insecurities against you time and time again. They can also find ways to isolate you and make you more dependent on them. Manipulators are great at gaining trust and information from you. They will ask probing questions so that you share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns early on. This tactic is used to establish control. The manipulator has an agenda in mind and will use the information you share to manipulate your decisions.

Manipulation can come in a variety of ways. Some common manipulation techniques include guilting the victim, complaining about the lack of help the victim gives them, comparing the victim to other people who “actually care,” and shifting blame onto the victim. Most people have had someone in their life, either a family member or an old partner that would ask for a favor while at the same time putting you down…