Manipulation Tactic: Weaponized Incompetence Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Weaponized Incompetence is a manipulation tactic when a person deliberately performs a task poorly to do it to avoid responsibility for that task in the future. Intent is to make the other person (a partner, coworker, or family member) believe that it is easier, quicker, or necessary for them to take over the task, thereby shifting the mental and physical burden entirely onto t

Manipulation Tactic: Manipulation Category: Psychological Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Manipulation is a type of social influence used with an intent to change the behavior or perception of others using abusive, deceptive, or harmful tactics. Manipulation typically involves exploiting a person's vulnerabilities, insecurities, or weaknesses using tactics that could be considered exploitative or dishonest. Psychological Characteristics Intention: The manipulator is acting w

Manipulation Tactic: Gas Lighting Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Gas Lighting is making someone question their own reality, memory, or sanity. is making someone question their own reality, memory, or sanity. Psychological Characteristics The effects of gaslighting on the victim are gradual, systematic, and aimed at undermining their most fundamental sense of reality and self. Reality Distortion: The abuser systematically challenges and denies the victi

Manipulation Tactic: Love Bombing Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Love bombing a manipulation tactic used to quickly gain power and control over a person by overwhelming them with excessive attention, affection and flattery . Love bombing is a form of emotional abuse where an individual showers a new partner with an abundance of compliments, gifts, and intense declarations of love to create an immediate, intense emotional bond . This whirlwind of affe

Manipulation Tactic: Silent Treatment Category: Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Silent Treatment  is the intentional refusal to communicate verbally with someone, often as a way to express anger, disapproval, or contempt. It involves minimizing or completely withdrawing engagement for an extended period, moving beyond a reasonable "cooling down" time after an issue. It is a form of passive-aggressive behavior  and, when used intentionally and repeatedly to control

Manipulation Tactic: Playing The Victim Category:  Emotional Manipulation Red Flag Indicators Playing the victim," also known as victim playing or self-victimization, is a manipulative behavior where a person exaggerates or fabricates their victimhood in a situation when they are either not a victim or have contributed significantly to the problem. The behavior is essentially a tactic used to control a narrative, avoid taking personal responsibility for their actions, and ga