Manipulation Dark Psychology to Manipulate and Control People

Manipulation Vs Persuasion
These terms might seem diametrically opposed, with persuasion acting as
the “honest” form of manipulation, where the actor is up front about their
goals and opinions. However, for the purposes of this book, it will be more
useful to consider persuasion as a tier below manipulation.
Persuasion, then, becomes a method of manipulation, which is a form of
influence. Persuasion also happens to be one of the less effective methods
of manipulation. How often have you been in a debate with someone else,
only for them to hold up their hands and say “I concede, you are absolutely
right”? It is probably possible for you to count these instances on one hand.
It may be easy to persuade someone that smoking is unhealthy but is it easy
to persuade them to quit? If it were so, governments wouldn’t see the need
or benefit in placing heavy taxes on tobacco products in order to discourage
use. According to this book’s definition, the government is trying to
manipulate the consumption of tobacco and using a range of methods,
including persuasion, to achieve that end.
So what about other forms of influence? And other methods of
manipulation? Well, manipulation needs to have intent and it ought to have
some form of goal – even if that goal is just to create anarchy. A great
filmmaker may influence the work of many others but it is clearly distinct
from manipulation. The filmmaker doesn’t set out to influence others
(although they may), rather they achieve influence through the reaction of
others to their work, resulting in inspiration and even emulation.
Persuasion, likewise, is not the only method of manipulation one could
employ. An easy alternative is lying, a form of deception. To lie and to be
believed will inevitably change the perception of those who believe the lie.
As has already been established, it is still manipulation whether it is
successful or not.
Persuasion, like influence, doesn’t suffer from quite the same image
problem as manipulation. In fact it’s seen as a positive thing to be able to
make a “persuasive argument.” Although it does have a sinister tinge; the
phrase “I can be very persuasive” implies some exertion of power over

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another party – possibly even an abuse. Also, when employers refer to the
soft skill of “persuasion,” it is correct to understand this as a euphemism for
manipulation. At least in part.

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