 |
13 Laws of Manipulation
Your mind is managed or controlled in some way during every waking moment of your life. There's always some type of mind control or manipulation going on, and most of the time you're not even aware of it. It comes via social media, internet news, conventional media, commercials, or even coworkers, friends, and family members.
Manipulators come in a variety of forms and sizes. Regardless of how varied they are as individuals, manipulators all have one thing in common: they're sly, deceiving, and underhanded. If it means getting what they want at the end of the day, they will turn to any trick. They don't give a damn about your sentiments, or anybody else's for that matter, including their own. The only thing that counts to them is that they receive their desired outcome. While each manipulator's techniques may differ, there are 13 laws of manipulation that every manipulator will employ at some point.
The first law is lying and hiding true intentions. Perhaps the most ancient and powerful type of manipulation is lying. With experienced manipulators, you won't even notice the lie they're spinning until it's too late. They may use deception for a variety of purposes. It might be to take advantage of you, to keep their genuine intentions hidden so you don't know what they're up to, or even to level the playing field so they can stay one step ahead of you. Some manipulators may even lie when there is no cause to do so, because they enjoy causing havoc or toying with other people's feelings.
The second law is attention seeking. Manipulators enjoy being the center of attention because it validates them and gives their egos the boost they need. In a relationship, one spouse may cause fights all the time to keep the other's attention and to try to fix an issue that may or may not exist.
The third law is behaving emotionally. Manipulators may be very emotional people who have a tendency to have dramatic or even hysterical outbursts when they don't get their way. Melodramatic, loud, obnoxious, and over-the-top are common characteristics. Typically, a manipulator will revert to emotional behavior at the least provocation, which is usually inappropriate for the social situation they're in and draws attention.
The fourth law is playing victim. Whatever difficulty you may be facing, they will find a way to make you feel bad for even bringing it up by emphasizing how much worse their situation is than yours. This emotionally taxing strategy is employed by manipulators to generate compassion from others, which is another means of gaining attention and ensuring that everyone is focused on them.
The fifth law is taking credit where it’s not due. Manipulators have no problem persuading you to perform most of the legwork and then swooping in at the last minute to claim credit for the majority of the work.
The sixth law is making you feel like you depend on them. Manipulators want you to believe that you require their services and that you cannot survive without them. They give you favors and assist you when you are in need, making you feel beholden to them so that they can reap the benefits at a later point. The more you rely on them, the more power they have over you, which is precisely what they want. The more you count on them for assistance, the more likely they are to prey on your emotions and use you for their personal gain.
The seventh law is being selectively honest. Manipulators will strive to get an advantage by withholding critical facts while simultaneously ensuring everyone else that "this is precisely what's going on." They make you think they're being helpful by letting you know what's happening, but in fact, they're making sure you're at least two steps behind them at all times.
The eighth law is pretending to be a friend in order to obtain information that may be later used against you. While some people are naturally pleasant, an individual being a bit too friendly may raise the red flag, especially if they ask you highly personal or probing questions even though you've only just met them. This strategy is common in the workplace, and if your instinct tells you something is off, it generally is.
The ninth law is being non-committal. The person who isn't willing to commit is a manipulator, not a friend. They like withholding their approval or support if it means they can gain the upper hand and manipulate the situation to their advantage. They will be especially hesitant to commit to anything if it requires them to take on responsibilities. Non-committal behavior from a love partner keeps the other on their toes and keeps them coming back for more.
The tenth law is playing dumb. Could your spouse who "doesn't know what you're talking about" in a love relationship be telling the truth when you question them about an issue? Could they be playing dumb in order to avoid getting caught lying?
The eleventh law is pointing fingers at everyone else. Manipulators constantly strive to keep their hands clean by never taking responsibility and, when there is a problem, they always shift blame to someone else.
The twelfth law is telling you what you want to hear. When you're complimented, it's difficult not to feel good, and you're more likely to enjoy the person who's doing all the flattering than others. They could be buttering you up so they can cash in on a large favor later on, which you'll be guilted into doing.
The thirteenth and final law is controlling your decisions. This often happens in a romantic relationship. While it is totally natural for you to base or adjust your decisions on what your romantic partner wants, is it because you have a genuine desire to make them happy? Or are you doing it to avoid enraging them?
7 Strategies to Analyze Body Language
Analyzing body language can help us figure out what's on someone's mind, including potential manipulation. Our entire body is involved in the communication process. What's going on is influenced by every facet of our physical and emotional condition. There are 7 techniques you can use to analyze individuals and read body language from head to toe in order to comprehend others' hidden feelings.
First, study their appearance. When you meet someone, their look is perhaps the most obvious giveaway and initial indicator you should pay attention to. Are they well-dressed and poised to make a strong first impression? Is their attire informal and comfortable, indicating that they are calm and at ease? By simply watching how they seem, you may learn a lot.
Second, examine their posture. In general, if we like someone or feel at ease in their company, we will subconsciously lean towards them. If you observe someone's toes pointing towards you, it means they are at ease in your presence. Meanwhile, someone who keeps their hands in their pockets or behind their back may be trying to hide something.
Third, look at their face. Nothing gives away feelings more than facial expressions, out of all the other physical components of the human body. A spoken "yes" coupled with pursed lips, clenched jaw, and a little scowl between the brows, for example, gives a strong message about how hesitant and uncomfortable this individual is about having to answer "yes."
Fourth, focus on their eyes. When someone is lying, maintaining eye contact often becomes more difficult. Skillful liars, however, will purposefully keep eye contact. For example, a grin that doesn't quite reach the eyes and make them "crinkle," as only a genuine smile can, indicates that an individual is putting on a phony smile for show.
Fifth, listen to the tone of their voice. Is it soothing, quiet, and comfortable? Or is it short, cutting, abrasive, and clipped, leaving you feeling uneasy?
Sixth, straight or saggy posture can indicate whether a person feels in control or not. And seventh, excessive leg movement can indicate nervousness, and that there might be something they’re hiding.
There's one thing to bear in mind before you start utilizing the 7 techniques to study individuals: avoid being overly analytical by focusing too hard on seeking signs. Stay cool and comfortable, be yourself, and simply watch without being overly critical or overthinking anything you're seeing.
About the author:
the best site to download paid books for free
ReplyDelete