Psychological Manipulation Techniques & Tactics

Charles Manson tips on recruiting:

Always keep the mood positive, tire them out, get attractive people to charm them. Interesting fact: his most favourite book, the foundation of his artful psychological manipulation techniques is the following book: How to Win Friends & Influence People

Attractiveness affects how we are treated.

Attractiveness affects how we are treated. Multiple studies have found that clean shaven, well-dressed men are treated more favourably by judges.

Squeeze people for the last penny.

Be bold with your demands. Show no mercy because you will not be shown any. If you give someone a finger, they will take your whole arm.

Belief and emotion

Belief and emotion trumps rationality and logic.

People will be more likely to do you favors if you make more

physical, platonic contact with them. Note the word "platonic". Unless they are attracted to you, flirtatious behaviour will make them more aloof. One of the highly successful psychological manipulation techniques, frequently used subconsciously.

Different wording can make all the difference in manipulation attempts.

Different wording can make all the difference in manipulation attempts. Spin doctors excel at this and re-word a massive tax increase in a way that makes voters agree with it.

If someone makes a joke at your expenses, ?

If someone makes a joke at your expenses, pretend that you didn't hear it, while looking straight into his eyes. A joke that has to be explained or repeated loses its' sting.

Show interest in other people.

If you do, people are more likely to like you. Ask them questions and focus on making the conversation about them, their experiences, dreams and interests

If you want to gain access into a person's life,

If you want to gain access into a person's life, especially of one of the opposite sex, use subtle flattery. Overt flattery will most likely be too obivous and have a reverse effect.

In a conversation always be present,

In a conversation always be present, don't let your mind wander but instead show keen interest in the other person. This will make the other person like you a lot more.

Show, don't tell.

Manipulation is much easier if you base it upon tangible things and emotion instead of talk. Win through your actions, never through argument.

Mirror other people's body language and actions

Mirror other people's body language and actions. Don't do it instantly, because they will catch up on it, but do it with some time delay. Attention: People trained in NLP will most likely catch your mirroring attempts.

Never show people that you are..?

Never show people that you are upset, for it makes you appear weak. Social Justice Warriors take notice!

Never use qualifying words

Never use qualifying words (maybe, probably,...) when trying to influence people. Instead, frame your words in a way that makes them sound like you are only stating confirmed, definite facts.

One of the strongest tools to shame someone is

One of the strongest tools to shame someone is to accuse them of being creepy. This is a word nobody wants to be associated with.

Emphasise scarcity.

People want what they can't have, or at least what might be running short

Tell people that they look/are

Tell people that they look/are exactly the type of person who would do xyz.

The Deference Principle?

The Deference Principle: People will trust you and follow your instructions if you appear to be a person of authority

The basis of authority?

The basis of authority? Body language, clothing style, financial resources, likeability/charm and intelligence. Combine them to lay the groundwork for all the other psychological manipulation techniques.

Walk like a King to be treated like one:

Walk like a King to be treated like one. If you act like and appear to be in a position of power, you will soon find yourself in one.

Be aware of whether a person is

a "thinker" or a "feeler" and target your message accordingly. Most people though value emotion over rationality.