How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 18
2. Information From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_manipulation
2.1 What exactly is Psychological Manipulation?
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or
behavior of others through underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. By advancing the interests
of the manipulator, often at the other's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative,
abusive, devious, and deceptive. It depends on the context and motivations, whether social influence
constitutes underhanded manipulation.
2.2 What is required for successful manipulation?
According to George K. Simon, successful psychological manipulation primarily involves the
manipulator:
1. concealing aggressive intentions and behaviors.
2. knowing the psychological vulnerabilities of the victim to determine wh at tactics are likely to
be the most effective.
3. having a sufficient level of ruthlessness to have no qualms about causing harm to the victim if
necessary.
Consequently the manipulation is likely to be accomplished through covert aggressive (relational
aggressive or passive aggressive) means.
2.3 What do manipulators want?
Manipulators can have various possible motivations, including:
the need to advance their own purposes and personal gain at virtually any cost to others
a strong need to attain feelings of power and superiority in relationships with others
a want and need to feel in control (aka. control freak)
a desire to gain a feeling of power over others in order to raise their perception of self-esteem
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