People who manipulate others are among the most self-centered people out there. They serve their own interests, and often at the expense of an innocent victim. Methods employed by manipulators can be characterized as abusive, deceptive, devious, and exploitative. Here are 7 signs someone may be manipulating you.

THEY PLACE UNDUE PRESSURE

Manipulators will apply an excessive amount of pressure on someone in an attempt to get them to make a decision before they’re ready. They’ll often create a false sense of urgency in trying to raise the level of tension. Of course, this is all a sham – a theatrical display with an underlying motive, which is to suppress the victim’s decision-making ability and seize control.

THEY MANIPULATE FACTS

Manipulators are, most often, compulsive and pathological liars. It’s no surprise, then, that they’ll twist the truth in an attempt to gain some type of leverage. They’ll blame innocent people, display biases, exaggerate, “forget” important information, make excuses, etc., etc.

THEY WILL “PLAY DUMB” AT TIMES

Professing ignorance is a secret weapon in a manipulator’s arsenal. This is a tactic commonly seen in the workplace, where the con-artist will insist on “playing” dumb – a passive-aggressive technique used to hide something or avoid an obligation. This is similar to how a child will behave.

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THEY MAKE YOU FEEL INSECURE – OR TRY TO

Someone that is insecure is often a target for manipulators, as insecurity is perceived as a severe weakness by these liars and deceivers. Manipulators will try different ways of creating a sense of insecurity or inferiority, such as negative humor and sarcasm. They’ll often poke fun at your appearance, work habits, and even your personal life.

THEY EXUDE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS

Some manipulators may raise their voice while taking when trying to aggressively manipulate someone. Manipulators that engage in this behavior are seeking to get someone to conform to their demands – an ordinary coercion technique for the combative schemer. When in this situation, it’s best to remain level headed, walk away, or simply “say no” any demands.

THEY USE “INFORMATION OVERLOAD” IN ATTEMPTING TO CONFUSE YOU

Like some textbook narcissists, smart manipulators will overwhelm you with alleged “facts” (e.g. statistics, data, events) that you may know little about. Similar behavior can happen in sales and other business-related discussions, as well.

THEY INSIST ON “HEARING YOUR STORY” FIRST

This first tactic is one that many salespeople utilize – and it’s often quite useful; just as a salesman will use “prospecting” to “baseline” your thinking and behavior, manipulators will as well. This is a means of attempting to evaluate any perceived strengths or weaknesses, the latter will be used to give them some kind of “edge” in their manipulative tactics.

Have you been trapped by a manipulator before?

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