According to a psychology professor: Which psychological manipulations do people most often inflict on each other
Humans are social beings; they need others to be happy and healthy. At the same time, we humans often do cruel things to one another, such as these forms of manipulation.
It's unavoidable: We humans sometimes hurt others. And we ourselves get hurt from time to time. As painful as it may be, hurt feelings are a part of life, and especially of relationships. But sometimes such hurt goes a step further, as some people use psychological tricks to manipulate those around them. Behind this is usually a strong desire for control. Psychologist Dr. Kevin Bennett explains on "Psychology Today" which of these forms of manipulation are the most common—and worst.
Psychological manipulation: These 5 bad habits people do to each other 1. Gaslighting"Imagine someone slowly and methodically convincing you that your memories are inaccurate, that your feelings are invalid, and that you have a false perception of reality," explains Dr. Bennett. "That's gaslighting ." This term describes the psychological manipulation in which a person systematically sows doubt in their counterpart, causing them to doubt their own perceptions, memories, and even mental health.
2. Love bombingLove bombing is also a form of manipulation. It involves one person, especially at the beginning of a relationship, showering another with love—or rather, with things they consider love: attention, affection, and praise. Hundreds of love messages a day are not uncommon in such cases. The goal of love bombing: control. "Once a person is under the spell of this dopamine rush, the other person slowly withdraws, and the love-bombed person longs for the affection that is now suddenly withdrawn," the psychology professor describes the phenomenon.
3. Emotional blackmail through guiltWe all feel guilty from time to time when we've made a mistake or hurt someone. However, when we deliberately induce guilt in another person, this is a manipulative technique. "It all becomes emotional blackmail when someone uses guilt to get another person to do what they want." This is especially true when they blame that person for their own happiness—or, more often, their unhappiness. According to Dr. Bennett, this can lead to phrases like, "After everything I've done for you..." or "If you really loved me, you would..."
4. TriangulationAnother psychological trick many people use to manipulate others is triangulation. This involves a person bringing a third party into a conflict or relationship in order to gain the upper hand. This can be due to jealousy or simply as a show of power to win over another person. "Triangulation is a popular tactic among narcissists and so-called high-conflict individuals," explains the expert. "In this way, they destabilize relationships and cause their counterparts to doubt their identity."
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Punishing someone with the silent treatment can be a terrible psychological torture. " Toxic silence may seem like a childish response to conflict," says Dr. Bennett. "But in reality, it's a cruel psychological weapon." By refusing to communicate with their counterpart, the manipulator "punishes" them, withholding attention and affection until they do what they want. According to the psychologist, toxic silence works so well because it exploits our need for connection and social belonging.
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