Manipulative techniques are designed to mess up your mind

The world can be an extremely nasty place at times when you fall into manipulative traps set by people around you. Manipulative techniques are designed to mess up your mind and make you do things according to some other person's will. They range from the very subtle to the downright arm wrenching ones. In this article I provide an insight into human psychology and list out the emotional manipulation techniques that are employed by people to have their way in personal and business relationships.

Psychological Manipulation Techniques
I personally would love to believe that the world is a beautiful place with people who can all be trusted and loved. I would like to see the best in every person and embrace him as he is, but reality has forced me to reconsider my approach. I understand that selfishness is a natural human trait and I personally don't claim to be a saint, but a look at the depths of treachery, manipulation and deceit that people are capable has forced me to change my mind about dealing with people. I am not pushing you into paranoia, but you need to be careful in your dealing with people who can take you for a ride for their selfish interests. Here are the subtle and not-so-subtle emotional manipulation techniques that one needs to watch out for.

Web of Lies
This is one of the perennial manipulation techniques of the con artists. They create a web of lies laid around so thick, that it warps reality for you and makes you fall victim to his manipulation. The only way of saving yourself is to check for inconsistencies and recognizing bluff. Be slow in trusting is my rule!

Taking Advantage Of Your Emotional Investment
This is the worst kind of manipulation that anybody could be subjected to. Many are forced into doing something that they would never do, as the thing that they are emotionally invested in, is threatened. People with psychopathic tendencies tend to do this with other people. The way to save yourself in such a situation is preventing it from occurring. Do not be too vocal about what your emotional investments are to strangers. Don't expose your weaknesses unnecessarily. There may be people around bent on taking advantage of it.

Challenging Your Ego Through Provocation & Contempt
One of the greatest manipulation techniques in politics, sports and just about every field of human endeavor is provocation and contempt. A man is forced into doing something silly through provocation, contempt or public humiliation. A hurt ego can be a dangerous thing which can be easily manipulated. When you are provoked in such a way to do something stupid, think about whether it is really worth it. It is easy to let your hurt ego drive you mad. Wait and pause it all, think it out before doing something silly.

Blinding Out of Logic Through Temptations
The age old nemesis that forces people into ruining their life is momentary temptation and greed. When you like something to the point where you are addicted to it, it becomes your weakness. Be wary of temptations as they are manipulative traps waiting to be sprung on you.

Plain Old Brainwashing
This is one of the manipulation tactics used by marketing or advertising companies, as well as fundamentalists. You repeat and repeat a thing so many times in front of a person or a mass of people, that it overrides their reasoning. The only way to save yourself from such manipulative people is to pass things that you listen to, through a filter of reason. Don't accept things because somebody said them. Verify and investigate on your own before believing.

Subtle Emotional Blackmail
Subtle emotional violence is often inflicted in relationships. This is one of the manipulation techniques in relationships that often goes unnoticed. You care about a person and he uses your feelings about him as leverage to have his/her way. This often happens in relationships and can only continue till the victim between the two decides that he or she has had enough.

Deprivation
Deprivation is another class of emotional manipulation techniques that forces people to do things against their will. This kind of manipulative psychology is rampant in family and social life. Deprivation is used to force a person into compliance. This one is a really tough one to beat!

Caressing the Ego
One of the most rampant emotional manipulation techniques that can tear relationships apart is the ego caressing. You are fed lies and your ego is caressed until it is so big that the manipulator can turn you into a puppet anytime. This one can only be avoided by down right humility and being a fair judge of people!

So these were the machinations and emotional manipulative behaviors that one needs to watch out for. Manipulation techniques can be used in a positive way too. People may be manipulated to do good things and make better choices, but it is a risky game to play.

It is very important to maintain your independent opinion of things and make your own judgment to save yourself from falling victim to these mind manipulation techniques. In other words, do not let somebody else think for you but think yourself! Try not to let anger, lust, greed and lies cloud your logic. That is quite a tight rope to walk but the trick is to listen to everybody, talk to a few and trust fewer. Discretion, patience and good judgment will help you to avoid the manipulative traps set around you.