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Is manipulative behavior nature or nurture? Psychologists reveal the truth behind it!
In psychology, manipulative behavior is defined as actions intended to influence or control another person, usually in an improper or unfair manner, in order to achieve personal gain. The means of manipulation include temptation, suggestion, coercion and blackmail, etc., which ultimately achieve the result of making others submit. Although manipulative behavior is generally considered a dishonest form of social influence, humans have the psychological potential for manipulation and deception, and the manifestations of manipulative behavior are often driven by individual personality traits or personality disorders.
The underlying motivation for manipulative behavior is often self-interested, but certain styles of social influence can also appear to be intended to benefit others.
There is a clear distinction between manipulative behavior and general influence or persuasion. Manipulation often involves taking advantage of an individual’s vulnerability, whereas non-manipulative influence is generally considered harmless. Persuasion refers to the ability to motivate others to take a certain action in a specific situation. This influence is usually related to personal beliefs, motivations or behaviors.
Elements that control behavior
Manipulative behavior is considered antisocial because it utilizes specific social strategies to further personally driven goals, often at the expense of others. Certain traits, such as low empathy, high narcissism, and self-centered rationalizations, are common in displays of manipulative behavior. Manipulative behavior often exploits the following vulnerabilities:
The manipulator’s methods
Positive reinforcement: includes praise, superficial charm, sympathy (such as fake tears), excessive apologies, money, approval, gifts, and attention.
Negative reinforcement: Rewarding the victim by removing him from a negative situation.
In addition, manipulators may use the "gaslighting effect" to make victims question their own sense of reality, or by intermittently reinforcing a climate of fear and suspicion. These tactics make it impossible for victims to make independent judgments, and they ultimately fall completely under the control of the manipulators.
Strategies for mediating manipulative behavior
The strategy for identifying manipulative behavior lies in recognizing specific behavioral signals and techniques. Emotional manipulation, guilt manipulation, love bombing, etc. are all negative tactics commonly used by manipulators. Behavioral red flags for identifying manipulative behavior include inconsistency between the manipulator’s words and actions, excessive praise, and attempts to isolate the victim from friends and family.
When manipulative behavior reaches the level of harassment or abuse, legal advice should be sought to pursue appropriate protections.
Effective ways to guard against manipulative behavior
Establishing healthy boundaries is an effective way to guard against manipulation, which requires verbal communication to reinforce the definition of boundaries and assertiveness training. In addition, improving self-awareness, building self-esteem, seeking social support, and learning relevant knowledge about controlling behavior can effectively enhance self-protection ability.
Manipulative behavior is indeed the result of the interaction between personal characteristics and the environment. So, in the environment you live in, can you see through the truth and means behind manipulative behavior?
