The 9 Most Common Manipulation Techniques: How To Identify Them?
The best way to defend yourself from psychological manipulation is to know what the main techniques of this type of abuse are. Discover which are the most common and how to deal with them.
Although we may not be aware of it, we have all used manipulation at one time or another. Even so, people who use them constantly often do so with the intention of harming others. In these cases, it can be useful to know how to detect the main handling techniques What are the most common?
The handling refers to the act of trying to influence the emotions of others so that they act in a specific way or feel a certain thing. Although it is common in interpersonal relationships in a subtle way, when manipulation techniques are used to obtain certain benefits, this implies an unhealthy attitude.
Main handling techniques
In the event that you think or believe that someone is manipulating you, it is important that you learn to identify the most common handling techniques:
Using an intense emotional connection to control behavior: That is, a manipulative person can try to get intimately close to others to get what they really want from them. In fact, you can use this attention to make her feel indebted.
Using a person’s insecurities: One tactic to manipulate others is precisely by trying to make them more insecure about what they perceive as defects.
Lie and denial: Manipulators can bombard victims with their lies. The moment they are caught, they can deny this lie or cover it up with false information.
Generalize: Another of the handling techniques The most common is when a defect or mistake of the other person is generalized to make them feel bad. For example, it is difficult to respond to an accusation of ‘never’ or ‘never’. These types of accusations are usually more difficult to dispute.
Change topic: When arguing, people who use manipulation techniques often change the subject when they see that they are cornered or when they don’t feel comfortable talking about something that affects them.
Using fear to control others: People who are manipulative may use your fears to try to control you. For example, they may do actions that they know perfectly well affect you as a way of threatening you.
Passive aggression: Passive aggression is a way of expressing displeasure or anger without directly expressing emotions or feelings. That is, instead of communicating it, people simply act angry towards others.
Gaslighting: It involves making people feel confused about an event that has really happened. Therefore, this manipulation technique makes people doubt whether something had happened or not.
Recruit other people: Manipulators often influence the social circle in such a way that they can use others to increase control over a person.
These are some of the main handling techniques that people can use to influence other people. If you feel that someone is using them on you and it is affecting you, it is important that you go to a professional psychologist.
What is psychological manipulation used for?
Not all people who manipulate They have a bad intention towards others, even in some cases where very intense damage is caused. Some of the most common reasons why people manipulate are the following:
Lack of communication skills: Some people may find it difficult to express their feelings, emotions and thoughts. Others may have learned manipulation due to their upbringing.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: This disorder involves using others as an end, that is, to get what they want.
Fear: People may use manipulation techniques because they feel a fear of being abandoned by others. This usually happens in couples who have been dating for many years.
Defensive attitude: Manipulation can be a method of avoiding blame. In this way, some people may avoid blame as a way to control or abuse others and others out of fear of being judged because they suffer from low self-esteem.
Low self-esteem: Some people may use manipulation techniques because they suffer from low self-esteem. These tactics are used to try to feel better about themselves.
On many occasions, the manipulative people They were not taught effective communication skills or were punished by an influential figure for expressing their needs or desires. As a result, the original means of connecting are nullified and replaced by strategies focused on trying to avoid any type of blame.
The manipulators They are usually subtle and cunning people, but you can still work to avoid these abuses through the following tips:
Recognize the signs: People who manipulate often tend to exhibit very similar behaviors. For example, they are often too close from the beginning, make empty promises, or may try to make you feel guilty.
Be aware of your emotions: Evoking strong emotions is one of the most effective ways to manipulate others. In fact, people who use manipulation can often play with your emotions, but you must remember that you are the one who controls what you feel.
Keep calm: Maintaining emotional control is important so that manipulators cannot use your feelings against you. Therefore, you should try to be as calm as possible when faced with the different manipulation techniques.
Avoid personalizing: Although manipulation can be harmful, it is important to try to internalize that this type of behavior has nothing to do with you. Manipulation usually has more to do with the person and their inability to meet one’s needs in a healthy way.
Respect your limits: People who tend to use manipulation techniques constantly tend to have difficulty listening to the other person or feeling that they are being manipulated. When faced with someone who manipulates, it is vital to control our limits and make them respected.
Talk about it with someone you trust: It can be emotionally draining and hurtful to deal with someone who is manipulative. Talking to a close friend or family member about what you are experiencing or feeling about manipulation will make it easier for you to confront this person.
People who use handling techniques They can use them to manipulate others for a wide variety of reasons. Even so, it is normal for a person to feel confused and hurt when they are the victim of a manipulator. When this happens and it affects you professionally and personally, it is important to go to a professional psychologist.
