11 Tactics of Manipulation

Introduction

• Discussion on how to get what you want from others.
• Ethical vs. unethical methods.
• Goal is to recognize manipulation, not to use it.

1. Charm

• Appeal to attractiveness and desire.
• Use of flattery, compliments, and flirtation.

2. Coercion

• Use of threats or fear of harm.
• Example: Threatening harm to get compliance.

3. Silent Treatment

• Use of silence to create anxiety.
• People may give in to break the silence.

4. Reason

• Use of logical arguments.
• Can be used both ethically and unethically.
• Hard to argue against reason.

5. Regression

• Acting childish to get one's way.
• Whining, crying, or pouting.
• People may give in to stop the childish behavior.

6. Self Abasement

• Humbling oneself to gain favor or forgiveness.
• Commonly used as self-deprecating jokes.

7. Responsibility Invocation

• Leveraging obligations or promises.
• Example: Reminding someone of a promise to make refusal harder.

8. Hardball

• Extreme coercion causing actual harm.
• Physical injury or severe consequences.
• Dangerous and must be avoided.

9. Pleasure Induction

• Convincing someone that the action will be enjoyable.
• Example: "Come on, it'll be fun!"

10. Social Comparison

• Using social comparison to influence behavior.
• Example: Comparing actions to those of peers or celebrities.

11. Monetary Reward

• Offering money as an incentive.
• Plays on greed to gain compliance.

Master Manipulators

• Men and women are equally likely to use manipulation tactics.
• Myths about gender differences in manipulation.
• Examples of male manipulators like pickup artists.

Manipulation and the Big Five Personality Traits

Extraversion

• High extraversion: More likely to use coercion and responsibility invocation.

Agreeableness

• High agreeableness: More likely to use pleasure induction and reason.
• Low agreeableness: More likely to use coercion and silent treatment.

Conscientiousness

• High conscientiousness: More likely to use reason.
• Low conscientiousness: More likely to use coercion and unlawful monetary reward.

Openness

• High openness: More likely to use reason, pleasure induction, and responsibility invocation.
• Low openness: More likely to use social comparison.

Conclusion

• Recognize manipulation tactics in your relationships.
• Understanding manipulation gives you more control over your decisions.
• Encouragement to view other videos in the series.
• Free quiz on Big Five personality traits available in the video description.