Emotional Manipulation Research Paper

Emotional or psychological manipulation aims to influence the behaviour of another person by certain tactics which may not be clear to the manipulated or even to others. The objective may not be only to change the behaviour of the manipulated person but also to make him convinced that there is no other way to get out of the situation or that his relationship with the manipulator is unavoidable. It is a form of abuse, though it may not be as evident as other forms. Emotional manipulation is an emotional abuse which may or may not be associated with other forms of abuse, such as physical and sexual abuse.

There is a difference between persuasion and emotional manipulation. Persuasion is not coercive and respects the right of the person to choose and to accept or refuse the suggested behaviour. In manipulation, it may seem superficially that the person is allowed to choose. However, under the superficial pretence of freedom of choice, there is an under-current of emotional coercion.

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However, they are all characterised by abnormality in personality. It is easy to identify the ruthless, cruel, callous and remorseless psychopath. However, some other disordered personalities may use manipulation to survive their own pathology and maintain their psychological integrity. An emotionally dependent person may seek his emotional needs by manipulating others. The same with narcissistic personality when someone tries fulfilling their craving for power, prestige, vanity and self-aggrandisement by manipulating others. The histrionic who is seeking attention, self-indulgence, satisfaction of superficial emotional and sexual needs may make use of all their seductive and dramatic exaggerations to manipulate others. People with Borderline personality with their chaotic emotions and sense of inner emptiness, dramatic mood swings, reckless adventures and acting out will manipulate others even by their aggression or