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Hi Psych2Goers.
Do you mean marvel at how some people
are always able to get their way?
These are people who have
extremely high manipulative tendencies.
The reason they are hard to identify
is that they employ rather innocent tactics.
However, any innocent act when used with ill intent
turns into a tool for manipulation.
We would like to emphasize that
just because you may believe one way or another,
you are not automatically characterized
as a master manipulator or a manipulator at all.
These are simply trends, not hard and fast rules.
So with that said, here are 10 signs
that someone could be a master manipulator.
Number one.
They don't always seem intimidating.
Did you know that many manipulators
don't come off as intimidating?
In fact, a classic characteristic of a master manipulator
is their charm.
Who knew?
According to a study,
master manipulators often use their charm
to perpetuate a cycle of abuse.
Though charm is often associated with a first impression,
master manipulators use their trait to their advantage,
to reel someone back in or to mask negative thinking.
Number two.
They assume that humans are inherently evil.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
do you believe all humans are naturally good
or naturally evil?
According to psychologist, Susan Whitbourne,
many master manipulators tend to believe the latter.
Master manipulators tend to believe
that humans are inherently dishonest
and are likely to take advantage of each other.
Number three.
They find a practical necessity for manipulation.
Bending ethics, misleading others,
or taking advantage of others for a greater benefit.
Sound familiar?
Master manipulators tend to justify
a practical need for manipulation,
which could manifest in a number of ways.
With their line of thinking,
they are able to find justifications
for their misdemeanors with ease.
Providing reasoning or justification
doesn't necessarily make someone manipulative,
but it's a good indication
that they aren't strongly opposed to the idea.
Number four.
They like to embellish stories.
Do you know someone who likes to exaggerate
or embellish details when they tell stories?
Maybe they add in dialogue
or moments that never really happened.
Embellishment is pretty common
and usually not ill-intentioned.
However, at its core, it's still a form of manipulation.
Often, manipulators use this embellishing technique
to sway their audience to feel a certain way
or to gain empathy.
Number five.
Their phrasing is ambiguous.
Do they use phrases such as, your choice, but...?
Paying attention to the language of a master manipulator
can help you glimpse into their true intentions.
While these praises are not usually used
with manipulative tendencies, they do tend to sway others
into a different thinking pattern.
You are unconsciously steered into doing it just their way
because those expressions elicit an accommodating attitude
on the receiving end.
Number six.
They use passive aggressiveness.
Has anyone ever used the silent treatment on you?
It makes you wanna do anything possible,
even against your will
to get them to talk to you again, right?
It might be considered agonizing at best
and painful at worst.
The silent treatment is one of the examples
of passive aggressiveness, contributing to manipulation.
It might seem less invasive, but is equally potent.
Some people tend to use such passive aggressive actions
to guilt or shame others into compliance.
Other common examples of passive aggressiveness
are snide comments and even gossip.
Yikes.
Number seven.
They often use others for personal gain.
Do you know someone who tends to always use others
as a shield in the face of even the slightest adversity?
If so, it's a kind of coping mechanism that they employ.
The underlying mental disorder
causes potential effects on their moods,
which encourages manipulative behavior in them.
And if they're maladaptive coping mechanism
to the underlying disorder
is to use people and take advantage of them,
they may come off as a mask manipulator.
Number eight.
You're scared to say no to them.
Are you good at saying no,
except when it comes to certain people?
Are you scared of the way they may react?
When you say no to a master manipulator,
you might be afraid of the pressure they'll put on you
to change your mind.
If this is the case,
know that you aren't weak for feeling the way you feel,
and the most important thing
is to prioritize your own peace.
Being manipulated is never your fault,
no matter how you're made to feel.
Number nine.
They talk in circles.
Does it feel like any sticky conversation with them
simply goes nowhere?
That's because they're never gonna take you there.
Master manipulators dodge questions
they don't wanna answer,
change the subject a little too quickly,
or deceive you into thinking you're wrong
just to avoid admitting fault or compromising.
They tend to be very intentional
and precise with their language in these situations
to avoid answering a question directly,
while at the same time, trying to cover up
and make the conversation progress as it naturally would,
all in one go.
And number 10,
they're diagnosed with a personality disorder.
Did you know that manipulation more often than not
can be a sign of a range of personality disorders?
Psychologists suggests that in addition to Machiavellianism,
personality disorders,
such as borderline personality disorder,
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder,
bipolar disorder, and antisocial personality disorder
can all increase someone's tendency to be manipulative.
However, it's important to note
that acting on these tendencies is still a choice
and having a personality disorder
does not automatically make anyone a master manipulator,
although it's common to want everything to go your way.
This might get in the way
of healthy, long-term relationships.
It's always a good approach to seek professional help
in assisting you to explore the reasons for
your exhibiting manipulative tendencies
or deal from its experience.
It helps to recognize reasons
preventing you from making meaningful
and healthy relationships and friendships with others.
Do any of these describe your experience?
Leave a comment down below about your encounters with them
if you'd like.
Please feel free to share any thoughts you have as well.
If you found this video helpful,
be sure to hit the like button
and share it with those out there
in the clutches of manipulation.
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As always, thanks for watching.