Manipulators are a strange breed of people, who use unfair tactics to bend others to their will. Because their ultimate goal is to control others, they can be quite dangerous.
Of course, I am not saying that all manipulators are psychopaths or anything like that, but what I am asserting is that you should be wary of a manipulator. Typically, manipulative people are toxic at best, but their intentions can range from harmless to nefarious. Here are 6 common tactics to look out for.
1. They play the victim.
One of the most commonly used tactics of a manipulator is playing the victim. By playing the victim, any time they can use it to get what they want, they effectively make themselves look like a martyr and everyone else look like the bad guy. Look out for someone who places themselves in the role of the victim in every situation they have been in.
2. They turn the tables.
Another tactic used by manipulators is turning the tables. Any time you call a manipulator out, they are quick to turn things around on you. For example, if you catch them lying or being deceitful in some way, they will get mad at you for calling their behavior into question.
3. They guilt-trip.
Manipulators will do whatever it takes to get their way. And that includes putting a major guilt trip on anyone who won’t do what they want them to.
4. They use your insecurities against you.
Be careful not to ever tell a manipulator your insecurities. They are masters at using your insecurities and vulnerabilities against you. An example of this would be if your weight was major insecurity, they might say something underhanded towards you about your weight.
5. They gaslight.
Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation that involves the manipulator working to make their intended target feel crazy. They do this because if their victim feels crazy, they are much easier to control, at least in the mind of the manipulator. The unfortunate thing about this is that it can end up making the victim truly question their sanity, which is a very painful experience.
6. They mirror.
There’s no denying that when someone is similar to us, we feel more at ease with them. That is why manipulators use mirroring to mimic the interests and behaviors of others so that they seem more similar to them, and therefore more comfortable. In turn, they are far easier to manipulate.