12 Signs You’re Manipulative Without Realizing It

Here are the signs you’re a manipulative person. How do you know if you are a manipulative person? Manipulation is something we associate with the worst kinds of people — psychopaths, narcissists, people who mercilessly take advantage of others for personal gain. While it’s true that manipulation is common among dark, toxic personalities, it’s not always a sign that you or someone you know is cruel, unhealthy, or evil. If you look closely at your behavior, you might discover that manipulation is part of your everyday life.

Sources:

Understanding and Managing Psychological Manipulation
 
Signs of Psychological and Emotional Manipulation
 
Are You Being Manipulative?

Chief Editor: Tristan Reed
Voice Over: Troy W. Hudson

[mtc-ji]

I used to do the memory lapse thing when I was young. I didn’t think it was a big deal until I married someone in my adult life who was a master at this. It’s a terrible thing to have to live with someone who does this as a matter of habit! Terrible. Whenever I see my kids try this, I stay on them and make sure they know “I forgot” is never an excuse because they don’t forget when I promise them a treat. I have a no tolerance policy in my household now. It’s dangerous because it feels innocent to the person doing it, but not to the person on the receiving end.

[sharonhubbard]

I prefer to be quiet and not speak to someone than hurt them in other ways. Let people be. Let them do what's best for them.

[sherylthompson]

Thank you!!!!

Honestly, I've always been a bit scared, thinking that I'm a manipulative person. However, what you said about intentions, coupled with the examples you gave, has opened my eyes to the truth.

Yes, we are ALL manipulative. It's in the intention of whom it's meant to better that counts:)

Thanks, again, for this enlightening information!!

*Big Hug*

❤️☀️🙏

[iamnotthewalruss]

This video has manipulated me into feeling bad about am not sure about anything at all now.

[melodythemassagetherapist]

What an easy explanation of so many manipulative behaviors! Your team ROCKS!! Sharing!!

[rymdaily]

Hmm 🤔 The next time you give someone a silent treatment just think about how you are making them feel

[rinakarai]

thanks for this video. can you please make a video on how to replace our manipulative behaviors with healthy ones?
this video has helped me know that some of my behaviors are unintentionally manipulative..i want to replace them and my relationships as healthy as possible

[felibunni]

I've been watching many videos on manipulation recently because, for the first time in my life, I was told I am a manipulative person and I wanted to consider that maybe I am. After watching this video and many others, I oddly can't say I relate. Yet the person who said it to me was extremely stubborn about it and laughed at me for saying I disagree. Not even at a job or a job interview, maybe to a degree, but the truth is I often feel like my wishes are less important than anyone else's to a detrimental level. I can't motivate myself to negotiate a promotion or anything work related for my benefit as it feels wrong and unfair.

The "innocent suggestions" I think I can relate to the most but that's because I am not the best communicator and I always follow it up with "what do YOU want to do?" And I ask myself if that person has gotten what they wanted recently or if things have been more beneficial for me. The suggestion is merely a way for me to express what I prefer, and if the other person doesn't want to then I accept the no, no problem. If they decide to do it for me I will make it up to them next time or suggest we do both. That said I'm a planner regardless and I want everyone around me to be up for it before we even go there. If it's originally my wish then I will sometimes weigh that over a little, just like if anyone else makes a request to do something then I will prioritise what they decide to do. As a child I was definitely more manipulative on this front, but as an adult, I don't think so honestly...

I always try to speak for myself and myself only and let others express themselves by themselves and respect that they have a different perspective than me though it is okay to disagree, I don't do the silent treatment as if I need to be alone I tell people I need space and suggest we talk later, I try not to bring up the past unless the same issue comes up again or it has bothered me in some way continuously (I could work on this, to ask a person if they are in the mood to talk more often but it takes two to tango and it's not always clear if it seems to happen naturally). I don't expect people to read my mind and I talk too much honestly in a way that maybe people think I am manipulative because I am insecure that they're not understanding what I am saying(?), but then, I always ask. If I want something, I'll ask and I am ofc guilty of passive aggressive comments but in general I hate them and I hate myself when I do it because it is so petty and a sign I can't just be honest...

[deblastname]

Very insightful and informative. Thank You

[ramiroalvarez]

Everybody is to a certain degree. That's a humanity trait by nature 😮.

[bananabread]

I think it crosses the line when you are hurting people

[zirrkurd]

I think these sorts of videos make people double think normal behaviors

[imhimwhoyou]

In this life it's survival of the fittest

[pushpenderchopra]

silence treatment always worked for me😏

[billylangley]

Manipulation has many different names.

[qbrnnzm]

In my school I act innocent Infront of the class mates whom I have to gain trust but my other class mates whom
I don't need their trust I act normal with them but not kind and when my friends tries to make fun of me the class mates who has trust on me always defense me against them and I also get away with lieing in front of them but my other friends can't convince them that I'm lieing they always thinks that I'm kind and innocent.i also help them because I always think that I will get something in return which I don't have to ask for they will give it to me by themselves.I also swear sometimes Infront of my friends who don't trust me that much but Infront of other classmates who trusts me I act nice with my friends Infront of them making them think I'm kind and innocent
Am I unconsciously manipulating others?

[roghibx]

That's how I run the town - Capricorn male

[psychologicalrelief]

According to this video we're all manipulative, it's even a good thing not a bad one at all!

[TiisoMakgasane]

Who else has seen this video cover somewhere like maybe EREN??

[thENDweDIE]

Why do all these videos feel like something from a corporate sensitive trading class..!?