Psychological Manipulation Techniques

noun a person who manipulates or controls others

verb to handle or control in a skillful manner

• The data was manipulated in order to create a more accurate representation of the results.
• She knows how to manipulate people to get what she wants.
• He's always trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
• The artist was able to manipulate light and shadow to create a stunning visual effect.

noun the state or fact of being manipulated

• The company was accused of engaging in market manipulation to artificially inflate stock prices.
• I can't believe how much manipulation goes on behind the scenes in the music industry.
• He's a master at manipulation, always getting what he wants.
• Her subtle manipulation of words convinced him to change his mind.

noun a person who controls or influences others in a clever or unscrupulous way

• The manipulator used cunning tactics to deceive others for personal gain.
• Don't trust that manipulator, he's always up to something sneaky.
• Watch out for that manipulator, he's a real snake in the grass.
• She was a master manipulator, pulling strings behind the scenes to control the outcome.

verb to communicate an intention to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something

• The company issued a formal warning to the employee who was found to threaten their colleagues.
• I heard that someone is threatening to quit if they don't get a raise soon.
• Don't let that bully threaten you like that, stand up for yourself!
• The dark clouds threaten to ruin our outdoor picnic plans.

noun a person who uses excessive affection and attention to manipulate and control their partner in a romantic relationship

• The love bomber used excessive praise and attention to manipulate their partner.
• Watch out for that love bomber, they might be trying to control you with affection.
• I heard she's a total love bomber, always showering her boyfriend with gifts and compliments.
• The politician was a master love bomber, using charm and flattery to win over voters.

noun a manipulative tactic used in abusive relationships where one person overwhelms the other with excessive displays of affection and attention

verb to engage in the manipulative tactic of love bombing

• Love bombing is a manipulative tactic used by some individuals to gain control over others by showering them with excessive affection and attention.
• I heard she's been love bombing him with gifts and compliments to win him over.
• She's totally love bombing him to get what she wants.
• The company's marketing team is love bombing their customers with promotional emails.

noun a type of cyber attack that involves manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security

• Social engineering is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information.
• Be careful of social engineering scams where people try to trick you into giving out personal information.
• Don't fall for that social engineering scheme, it's just a way to steal your data.
• In a way, social engineering is like psychological manipulation for nefarious purposes.

noun A wedge issue is a controversial topic that divides people within a political party or society, often used strategically to gain support from a specific group or to distract from other issues.

• The debate over gun control has become a wedge issue in the political landscape.
• The topic of vaccinations can often be a real wedge issue among parents.
• Talking about climate change is a total wedge issue for some people.
• Religion can be a wedge issue that drives a wedge between families and friends.