We talk about people being manipulative and are often irritated at them for these behaviors or we have a vague sense that others have manipulated us, but what is the real definition of manipulation?
Encarta's Dictionary definition of manipulation is as follows: Using clever and devious ways to control or influence somebody or something, to change by artful or unfair means, and serving one's own purpose. All that to say in a rather polite way that due to your self-serving or self-centered motives, you try to get someone else to do something for you that you probably can do for yourself; you just do not want to do it.
For other people, there can be a smug satisfaction in getting over on people and having others do things for them that they are more than capable of doing.
The clues you can look for in your own or other's manipulation is …show more content…
Anger also gets people's attention and they can feel uncomfortable around it. Therefore, they may just give in and let you have your way to change the overall mood.
There are also very public examples of people manipulating the feelings of others to carry out their agendas. A hunger strike, if you are famous, gets people's attention. If the cause of the hunger strike is something that you also have feelings about, you might find yourself thinking that this is a worthwhile cause and I will support it with a donation. Ask yourself if you would have supported the cause if the person on strike were someone who was not famous.
There are causes that tug at our heartstrings as well - donating to small children and puppies can give you a warm fuzzy feeling. However, do you find that you are more inclined to give to these causes and not other needy organizations or groups of people because they do not have a photogenic or compelling front person?
Manipulative
Encarta's Dictionary definition of manipulation is as follows: Using clever and devious ways to control or influence somebody or something, to change by artful or unfair means, and serving one's own purpose. All that to say in a rather polite way that due to your self-serving or self-centered motives, you try to get someone else to do something for you that you probably can do for yourself; you just do not want to do it.
For other people, there can be a smug satisfaction in getting over on people and having others do things for them that they are more than capable of doing.
The clues you can look for in your own or other's manipulation is …show more content…
Anger also gets people's attention and they can feel uncomfortable around it. Therefore, they may just give in and let you have your way to change the overall mood.
There are also very public examples of people manipulating the feelings of others to carry out their agendas. A hunger strike, if you are famous, gets people's attention. If the cause of the hunger strike is something that you also have feelings about, you might find yourself thinking that this is a worthwhile cause and I will support it with a donation. Ask yourself if you would have supported the cause if the person on strike were someone who was not famous.
There are causes that tug at our heartstrings as well - donating to small children and puppies can give you a warm fuzzy feeling. However, do you find that you are more inclined to give to these causes and not other needy organizations or groups of people because they do not have a photogenic or compelling front person?
Manipulative