Manipulation is the practice of using indirect tactics to control behavior, emotions, and relationships. It is the exercise of harmful influence over others, where the manipulator seeks to create an imbalance of power by attacking the mental and emotional sides of the person being manipulated. Manipulation can happen in close or casual relationships, but it is more common in closely formed relationships. It includes any attempt to sway someone’s emotions to get them to act or feel a certain way. Manipulators have common tricks they’ll use to make you feel irrational and more likely to give in to their requests, such as guilt, complaining, comparing, lying, denying, feigning ignorance or innocence, blame, and mind games.

People who manipulate others have common traits that you can look for, including knowing your weaknesses and how to exploit them, using your insecurities against you, and convincing you to give up something important to you to make you more dependent on them. Manipulative behavior refers to a persons use of gaslighting, love bombing, and other styles of interaction in a relationship used to gain control over the other person. Manipulation can cause one partner to feel bullied, isolated, or worthless in a marriage or partnership.

Manipulation can happen in many forms, and acting kind can be a form of manipulation, depending on the intent). Manipulators conceal aggressive intentions and behaviors and are affable, knowing the psychological vulnerabilities of the victim to determine which tactics are likely to be the most effective). Manipulation can be a way for a person to avoid feeling bad about themselves, and people manipulate largely due to a lack of self-confidence or self-esteem.

Some signs of manipulation include passive-aggressive behavior, implicit threats, dishonesty, withholding information, isolating a person from loved ones, gaslighting, verbal abuse, and use of sex to achieve goals. It is important to be aware of the signs of manipulation so that you can protect yourself from this type of abuse. People who manipulate often exhibit similar types of behaviors, such as being overly friendly, making empty promises, or trying to make you feel guilty. To avoid manipulation, it is important to know the signs, be aware of your emotions, and stay calm.