Manipulation Tactic:  Coercion Category:  Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Coercion is a form of pressure or manipulation used to compel an individual to act against their own free will. Psychological Characteristics Erosion of Autonomy: The core characteristic is the loss of the victim's self-determination—the ability to choose freely. The coercer aims to substitute the victim's goals with their own. Fear and Intimidation: The tactics used instill a pervasive fear

Manipulation Tactic: Shaming Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Shaming the act of expressing contempt, ridicule, or criticism toward an individual or group making them feel humiliated, degraded, or deeply flawed as a person. Shame, is a self-conscious, painful feeling characterized by the perception that one's entire self is inadequate, unworthy, or fundamentally bad. Psychological Characteristics Self-Devaluation:  the feeling that a person is deficient,

Manipulation Tactic: Triangulation Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Triangulation involves one person using a third party to control, divert attention, or gain an advantage in a relationship with another person. When stress or conflict arises between two people, they stop trying to resolve the issue directly. Instead, one or both individuals pull in a third person (who may be an intermediary, a messenger, a confidante, or a rival) to shift the focus, gain

Manipulation Tactic:  Reverse Psychology Category:  Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicator s Reverse psychology is a persuasion technique where you advocate for a belief or behavior that is the opposite of what you actually desire, expecting that the target will resist your stated position and, by doing the opposite, choose the outcome you truly wanted. Psychological Characteristics Psychological Reactance: When someone perceives they are being pressured, controlled, or pe

Manipulation Tactic: Flattery Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Flattery is excessive and insincere praise, given to someone with the deliberate intent of furthering one's own interests or gaining favor from that person. Flattery is a form of social maneuvering or subtle manipulation , unlike genuine praise which is sincere and offered without a hidden agenda . Psychological Characteristics Insincerity and Ulterior Motive: The defining characteristic is

Manipulation Tactic:  Pity Plays Category:  Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators A Pity Play is a conscious or unconscious strategy where a person positions themselves as a helpless victim of circumstances, people, or the world. The primary goal is to: Avoid responsibility or consequences for their own actions. Gain attention, reassurance, or support. Manipulate others into taking care of them or giving them special treatment. Psychological Characteristics Externalizat