The essence, types, techniques and signs of manipulation in communication. How to recognize manipulator behavior

Lesson for high school students.

Purpose the proposed lesson is to familiarize the participants with the methods of psychological manipulation, methods of its recognition, as well as protection from manipulation.

We offer a “modernized” version of a lesson for high school students on the recognition of manipulation attempts and methods of confronting them. To increase the effectiveness of the lesson, its visibility, various video clips are actively used. However, instead of them, you can show photographs, read out fragments from literary works, and the choice of episodes depends on the desire and capabilities of the presenter.

Equipment: equipment for viewing video fragments, fragments from the films “12 Chairs”, “Dog’s Heart”, “Watch Out for the Car”, “True Lies” and the animated films “Dobrynya Nikitich and Zmey Gorynych”, “Karlson Returned”.

Download materials for the lesson “How to Recognize Manipulation and Defend Against It”.

Class duration « How to recognize and protect against manipulation“: 2 academic hours.

Introductory part.

After the greeting, the host offers to watch an episode from the movie “12 Chairs” in which Ostap Bender impersonates a fire inspector. Recall the corresponding quote from the novel:

- Tell me, where can I see a fellow farm manager? - said Ostap, breaking through the first pause (in singing).
“What's the matter, comrade?”
Ostap gave the conductor a hand and friendly asked:
- Songs of nationalities? Very interesting. I’m a fire inspector. ”

The host asks: why did Ostap manage to trick the manager? Analyzing the answers, the facilitator leads the participants to the conclusion: the supply manager was frightened by the status of inspector assigned to Bender, that is, the chief - a person from whom you can expect trouble. At the same time, the false inspector received what he needed: in search of a chair he examined the whole house and even dined. A person’s status often contributes to the formation of a certain opinion of others around him, even if a person is completely unfamiliar to them. So, a certain confidence is a person in a white coat (doctor) or in military uniform.

An example would be a well-known experiment when the same person was presented to students in different classrooms. In one - as a student, in the other - as a laboratory assistant, in the third - as a lecturer, in the fourth - as a professor. The subjects were asked to evaluate its growth. It turned out that the higher his status was, the higher he seemed.

So what Ostap did is called manipulation. And what is manipulation? The presenter demonstrates a slide (a poster, an inscription on the board) with the definition of “manipulation” and reads it: “Manipulation is a deliberate and hidden motivation of a person to make decisions and perform actions necessary to achieve the goals of the manipulator.”

According to the immortal hero of “12 Chairs” and “Golden Calf”, there are four hundred ways to relatively honestly take money. However, if you classify them, then you can get several basic types of manipulations (according to R. Chaldini).

Talking about them, the presenter shows slides with the names (writes on the board). Returning to the episode of “12 Chairs,” the host says that the type of manipulation used by Ostap is called “Authority”. "Authority" is associated with the tendency of most people to automatically obey authorities. This is convenient, since true authorities, as a rule, have more knowledge, strength, and in a situation of difficult choices, they ease our "torment" by taking responsibility for the choice. The danger lies in the automatic response not to the authority itself, but to its symbols. Such symbols can be titles, appearance and personal belongings (for example, general epaulettes, expensive car, etc.). Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol wrote with irony that it was enough for the officer to send his cap to the village indignant at something, and the unrest subsided.

Another type, “Mutual exchange”, suggests that a person, as a rule, seeks to repay for the service provided to him. For example, in an experiment, subjects divided into pairs had to evaluate pictures. One of them was "decoy", that is, an assistant psychologist. During the break, he left the laboratory, and then returned with two bottles of Coca-Cola and offered one of them to his partner. In the control group, he returned without a “Coke”. After the evaluation of the paintings ended, he asked the real subject to do him a favor - to buy one or more lottery tickets from him. Subjects who had previously been offered a drink purchased on average twice as many tickets, despite the fact that one ticket cost more than a bottle of Coke.

A fragment from the cartoon "Dobrynya Nikitich and Zmey Gorynych" is shown, in which Kolyvan, luring people to a party in the lotto, first treated them with gingerbread cookies.

The rule of "mutual exchange" makes it possible to influence our decision by first doing something for us. It operates even when we are provided with a service that we did not ask for, and then when the service that we should provide is much more serious.

The tactic of the following type of “Refusal-then-concession” is that, starting with an overestimated demand, the requester moves to the real one, which now looks like a concession and forces us to give in response. In addition, the phenomenon of contrast is also involved here: a smaller request compared to a more substantial one may seem less difficult to fulfill. For example, if we ask for a large loan and get a refusal, then most likely we will not be refused, if we ask for a smaller amount in response. At the same time, the victim of the manipulation remains satisfied with the agreement that the decision to lend us money was made by her “on her own”, and sometimes she felt guilty that she could not fulfill our initial request.

To illustrate this, one can show the episode from the cartoon “Carlson is back”, when Carlson demands a cake with whipped cream, and then “agrees” to the sausage ”, causing the Kid to feel guilty.

The next type of manipulation can be called “Sympathy”. It is based on the fact that we tend to agree with people we like. However, sympathy arises for a reason. Firstly, we are more sympathetic to people we know. It is no coincidence that often, turning to us with a request, people try to introduce themselves as acquaintances of our acquaintance. It is the “Sympathy” mechanism that underlies the tradition of being represented by someone when meeting each other.

To illustrate this, the presenter demonstrates a fragment from the film “Watch Out for the Car” (the character of G. Volchek is presented to the seller of the thrift store: “I am from Oleg Nikolaevich”).

Moving on to the next type of manipulations, the presenter shows a slide (poster), on which the symbols are shown on three lines:
0, 1, 2, 3;
Oh, P, P, C
and geometric shapes “oval”, “triangle”, “square”.

Participants are invited to name what symbols they see here. The facilitator draws attention to the fact that despite the fact that the first character is the same in all lines, it is usually called a number, then a letter, and then a geometric figure. It should be discussed with the participants why they made such a conclusion. In the statements, emphasize that they were prompted by a series of the following symbols: in the first case, numbers, in the second, letters, in the third, geometric shapes. This example illustrates this kind of manipulation as "Sequence".

Using this technique, it is easier for the buyer to persuade him to make a major purchase after he makes a small one (saying “A”, say “B”), or to continue to use the service even after the reason disappears (for example, a discount on it), which the buyer began to acquire it. This is how the tendency of people to draw conclusions based on the false message prompted by the manipulator is exploited in trade.

The following fragment from the film “Watch Out for the Car” is shown (the seller of a thrift store raises the price for his services).

Another type of manipulation - "Deficit", is based on a simple addiction - that which is less accessible, more attractive. The principle of scarcity is stronger if something has become scarce recently and in the presence of competition. Time may be a shortage: you are offered to make a decision immediately, otherwise “you will be late”! As an example, the continuation of the previous episode is demonstrated: the seller of a thrift store makes it clear that if a customer does not agree with his price, he will sell the tape recorder to others (“the goods are imported, in a flash will leave ”).

Main part.

To consolidate the material and get feedback, the host offers to watch an episode from the movie “12 Chairs” (Ostap meets the Cannibal Ellochka):

“Sweet girl,” Ostap suddenly said, “sell me this chair.” I really like him. Only you with your feminine instinct could choose such an artistic thing. Sell \u200b\u200bit, girl, and I'll give you seven rubles.
“Hamite, kid,” Ellochka said slyly.
“Ho-ho,” said Ostap.
“We need to act differently with her,” he decided, “we will offer an exchange.”
- You know, now in Europe and in the best houses of Philadelphia the old fashion has been resumed - pouring tea through a tea strainer. Extremely spectacular and very elegant.

Ellochka was wary.
“The diplomat I knew came to Vienna from Vienna and brought me a present.” Funny thing.
Question of the leader: what types of manipulations does Ostap use? ("Mutual exchange", "Authority").
The facilitator says that it’s sometimes difficult to determine whether the proposal made to you is sincere or is it a manipulation. One way to recognize manipulation is to analyze your own that arise in the process of communication. If you feel the “strangeness” of emotions (the emergence of emotions that are not appropriate for the situation) or a sharp emotional outburst, you should know that this may indicate that you are being manipulated.

In addition to the analysis of emotions, it is necessary to monitor the changing situation. If you find yourself in a situation that is not beneficial to you, at least for the moment, this can also be a sign of manipulation. Consider an example: they call you (on a mobile phone) and inform you that your number won in a lottery held by a mobile phone company. If you arrive at the office within three days (the address is provided), you will receive for free a new expensive phone model and the possibility of free calls for a month.

At this point, the facilitator asks the question: are we losing anything in this situation? Answer: no, at least for the moment. And what emotions are we experiencing at this moment? Answer: a surge of emotions (joy, surprise, distrust). Thus, we get the first signal of possible manipulation. The question we can ask ourselves is: Will they ask us now for some kind of service?

The host continues the description of the situation with the phone call: you are prompted to call back from your number to the indicated number within one minute, "so that you are fixed by the computer." Question to the participants: this is not beneficial for you, since further conversation will be paid by you.

It is possible that you still continue to follow the instructions you receive. You must buy express payment cards within one hour and inform their numbers by phone already known to you. After that, you can come to win. Question: in this situation, do you gain or lose? (Lose - you start to pay). The facilitator draws attention to the expression “you must”. In such situations, we sometimes notice that we must do something, not knowing why - this is also one of the signs of manipulation in relation to us.

At the same time, it is not enough to recognize manipulation, it is necessary to be able to resist it. The facilitator lists the possible options for detecting manipulations, which are written on the board. Among them may be such actions as: a) interrupt; b) declare to the manipulator that his goals are disclosed; c) to pretend that you have no idea what to do, while achieving your own goal (counter-manipulation). However, acting in accordance with the first two options is not always convenient and possible. As for the third option, an experienced manipulator can “manipulate” you.

Counter-manipulation is presented in “12 chairs”, when Ostap's question “A new batch of old women?” The manager says “These are orphans”. The answer to the question is given, although not the answer to the wrong question! The corresponding episode from the film is shown.

Further, the presenter offers to watch an episode from the American film "True Lies", in which a secret agent, performed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, talking with a used car salesman, pretends that he was interested in a sports car. Participants should name the types of manipulations used by the seller: “Sympathy” (“I like your driving style”), “Deficit” (“I have customers for this car”), as well as an example of counter manipulation by a secret agent (“hold her for me"). In this case, the agent seems to respond positively to the proposal, without saying either “yes” or “no”.

The presenter introduces the participants to a universal way of resisting manipulation, which is called the “Played Record” (it is possible that modern teenagers will need to explain the direct meaning of this expression). The essence of this method is to repeat your words, like on a flirted record, however, you should follow a certain sequence.

So, they turn to you with a request, the implementation of which is undesirable for you: 1) if you are not sure that you understand the interlocutor, ask him about the details. Ask if you understood him correctly by repeating his words after him. 2) having understood the essence of the request, agree with the right of the interlocutor to have his own opinion; 3) tell the interlocutor that you do not want to do what they ask you to. If the interlocutor continues to insist, “turn on the record” and, in agreement with the right of the interlocutor to have an opinion (paragraph 2), refuse to fulfill his request (paragraph 3).

For example, an acquaintance asks you for a mobile phone to call his acquaintances abroad, motivating his request by the fact that his battery is “dead”. He is not going to pay for the conversation. Check if you understood him correctly. Agree that he has the right to call his friends. If you do not want to give your phone in this situation, calmly refuse. You should not give an explanation for your refusal, for example, "I also have a battery." An experienced manipulator will take out a charger from your pocket that is suitable only for your phone.

Judging by the description, this technique was superbly owned by Professor Preobrazhensky from the novel “Heart of a Dog” by M. A. Bulgakov.

The presenter demonstrates a fragment from the film or reads a quote:
“- I want to offer you,” the woman pulled out several magazines, bright and wet from snow, from her bosom, “to take several magazines in favor of the children of Germany.” A fifty dollars piece.

“No, I won’t take it,” Philipp Philippovich answered briefly, glancing at the magazines ...
“Why do you refuse?”
- I do not want.
- You do not sympathize with the children of Germany?
- I sympathize.
- Are you sorry for fifty dollars?
- No.
“So why?”
- I do not want…
- You do not like the proletariat! The woman said proudly.
- Yes. “I do not like the proletariat,” Philipp Philippovich sadly agreed. ”

In the episode, Filipp Filippovich agrees with the woman’s opinion (he sympathizes with the children of Germany, does not spare the fifty dollars, does not like the proletariat), but, four times, like a flipped record, refuses the request that is unpleasant for him.

The final part of the lesson.

Participants are asked to determine if they are able to see manipulation attempts in the actions of those around them. To do this, they must answer the questions of the test “How Insightful Are You?” (According to E. Varlamova). As you read the questions, they appear on the screen:

You usually don’t remember what people are wearing.
After the conversation, you can easily restore the subject line of the conversation.
You know how to influence the content of the ongoing conversation.
You are more oriented not on words, but on intonation.
You often use the power of your power over people.
Before responsible meetings, you think over at least three options for developing a conversation.
You like to guess the true motives and interests of others.
People around you consider you to be too straightforward.
You do not like psychological books.
You like to listen rather than talk.

It is necessary to put one point for agreeing with statements 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and disagreeing with statements 1, 5, 8, 9.

Key.8-10 points. You can safely be sent to intelligence - you are very observant. You can easily recognize the manipulation, but sometimes you lack the determination to resist it.

0-3 points. You are too thick-skinned, selfish and self-confident person, although you think that you are white and fluffy. You do not achieve everything with skill, but with force. And, despite this, and probably that is why you can easily become a victim of manipulation.
4-7 points. You are shrewd enough to pay attention to the little things, but you have room to grow. You can successfully master the methods of counter-manipulation.

The host wishes everyone good luck and asks: where is free cheese? Having received the answer (“in a mousetrap”), the host says goodbye to the participants. Lesson is over.

RODIONOV Vadim Albertovich
Professor, Department of General and Practical
Psychology Institute of Psychology,
Doctor of Education ..

Tatyana Kulinich

In recent years, topics related to violence have been increasingly raised by psychologists. This concept itself is being revised, what was previously considered a relative norm is now perceived as something unacceptable. The saying “hits, then loves”, fortunately, now seems to us a terrible relic of the past. But violence is not only physical. In some cases, it is psychological violence, manipulation, that can do more harm, simply because it is more difficult to notice. Manipulators or psychological vampires masterfully know how to convince their victim that violence is committed for its own good. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are feeling trapped at some subtle level, for some reason you are doing something that you not only don’t want, but also do you any harm ? Have you ever felt guilty while interacting with someone? Have you ever had people in your life because of whom you were often upset or even cried? And has it ever happened that you even acquired chronic illnesses as a result of such long communication? There may be many manifestations of a meeting with manipulators, but we still do not always realize what is causing our troubles. In this article, we will talk about how to recognize psychological violence and protect ourselves from it.

What is psychological manipulation?

Before considering the signs of manipulation and methods of protection against it, it is appropriate to understand the definition of the very subject of our article. In short, psychological manipulation is a hidden effect on another person for their own selfish purposes to the detriment of him.

Signs that you are being manipulated

As mentioned above, the biggest difficulty in the issue of psychological violence is that it is difficult to notice. Most of us are accustomed to the manipulations of others from early childhood. Parents intimidated someone with an “uncle a policeman” or an “evil gypsy” who would give the child away if he did not obey. Someone's mother or grandmother began to clutch their hearts exponentially, as soon as he did something wrong. All this leads to the fact that manipulations become part of our lives, destroying us from the inside.

The surest sign that you are being manipulated is yours guilt. You know that you haven’t done anything wrong, but, nevertheless, when dealing with a specific person, you are constantly burning with guilt. Moreover, this happens very often. You yourself do not understand how this happens. But if, when dealing with him, you catch yourself feeling guilty, beware! Another sign that you are trapped in a cash maniator is the underlying sense of anxiety. It seems that the person in front of you is smiling, and outwardly friendly, cute, etc., but you feel something wrong, intuitively catch yourself on a barely noticeable sensation of anxiety, as if "cats scratch your soul." Your intuition shouts to you that you are being deceived! But do we often trust our inner voice?

The main weapon of psychological “vampires” is a special mixture of sensations that they evoke in their victims, as if enveloping them in impassable fog. it fear, guilt and responsibility. Fear can be associated with unwillingness to lose the love and disposition of the manipulator, fears for his health, etc. Guilt is skillfully imposed by manipulators with the help of their uncompromising attitude and the halo of holiness with which they surround themselves. By refusing them, you seem to be committing a terrible crime or mistake. You do not just disagree with this particular person, but allow yourself to disagree with common sense, morality and almost God himself. Out of guilt and fear responsibility is born. You are too afraid of losing the manipulator or are aware of your “badness”, and you begin to feel dependent on the psychological rapist, trying to please him.

Here are some of the manifestations of a person committing psychological manipulations:

1. Uncompromising demand

The manipulator usually considers his requirements to be objective and taken for granted. He never admits that he is capable of at least making a mistake. Such a person speaks of his desires as if they were the laws of the universe itself. Therefore, when a person demands something from you, using such phrases: “how can you not understand this,” “do all normal people do this,” “you must”, you should be wary. For example, the husband may be unhappy that the wife, in his opinion, dresses too openly. He can tell her that he is jealous, that he does not like how other men look at her. While he just talks about his feelings, this does not turn into manipulation. But if he begins to say that “decent women don’t dress like that”, “everyone laughs at you, as you don’t understand this,” this is psychological manipulation.

2. Inability to accept refusal, perceiving it as a personal insult

Manipulators are not capable of dialogue. There is only one opinion: they are wrong. Such a person does not know how to consider the problem from different angles, does not have enough empathy to put himself in the place of another. The manipulator inadequately perceives the refusal, draws false logical connections between the refusal and the attitude, the nature of his victim. And then he tries to impose this vision.

For example, a friend suggested you drink coffee after work. You have to politely refuse, as you rush home. A friend can be upset, and this will be a normal reaction. But if she begins to say that you do not love her, you are a selfish person who has no time for anyone, this is a manipulation. This also includes all phrases such as: “if you do this - you are not my son / daughter!”, “You died for me”, etc.

3. Pressure or threats in case of failure

When the manipulator is not obeyed, he begins to “punish” his victim in order to achieve his goal nevertheless. Pressure can manifest itself in different forms, depending on the type of manipulator (we will talk about them a bit further). For some, this is open aggression in a rude form, up to physical violence. Someone has passive aggression in the form of complaints, constant persuasion. Some manipulators begin to pretend to be a martyr, provoking a strong guilt in their victim.

Types of Manipulators

Punishers

These are the most aggressive manipulators who prefer to force their victims to force, punishing them. When someone disagrees with them, they can scream, insult, and sometimes even use physical violence. In an open form, they let the victim know what will happen if she disobeys them. “If you will communicate with this person, I will leave you”, “If you do not become a doctor, I will deprive you of an inheritance”, etc. The punisher does not see his victim as a person, he has obvious problems with psychological boundaries. He perceives it as part of himself, in fact, his property.

Some punishers prefer to act on their victim with the help of so-called passive aggression. This is a refusal to communicate, breach of promises, disruption of agreements, ignoring. Such manipulators often punish loved ones with icy coldness. Each of us can surely recall the case when the parental silence after a quarrel was so heavy that the children were ready to pray for forgiveness.

False victims

This type of manipulator is especially dangerous, as it turns the whole situation upside down, exposing itself as a victim. Such people are blackmailing others, trying to show how dependent they are on them. An example of such manipulations is “Do not abandon me, or I will die”, “If you marry this woman, I will relieve a heart attack”, etc. The main goal of such people is to arouse a huge feeling of guilt in the victim and a sense of responsibility for the life of the manipulator. Such manipulations are often resorted to by older people who have health problems, as well as women of any age. Indeed, to demonstrate aggression in the open is considered indecent for the fairer sex, so they resort to such latent, but very powerful psychological violence.

False victims often have hysterical traits in character; they are born actors and pretenders. They are pleased to “make an elephant out of a fly”, to inflate a scandal out of nothing. Wringing your hands, rolling your eyes and clutching your heart are their favorite tricks. They want to turn their lives into drama, as if they are playing a role in some heart-breaking Brazilian series.

Martyrs

This type of manipulator is in many ways similar to the previous one. They also try to make their victim guilty of all their troubles and shift the responsibility for their well-being to it. But, unlike them, the martyrs make no complaints or demands. They simply suffer in silence, periodically hinting to the victim that this is all because of her. Deep sighs, meaningful phrases and the like are used. For example, a daughter recently moved into separate housing from her mother. When she comes to visit her mother, she complains about her poor health, that there is no one to inspect her, etc. She does not directly reproach her daughter, but in every possible way hints that she, as a good daughter, needs to live with an elderly mother.

Martyrs expect almost psychic abilities from their victims: they want their minds to read, to guess the slightest changes in their mood. They never speak directly about their desires or thoughts. Everything is done in a veiled form. If you ask them “forehead”: “is it because of me that you have such a state?”, They will begin to deny everything. To the question "What happened?" They like to answer: "Nothing ...". Of course, taking a deep breath before that.

Seducers

Unlike the previous three types of manipulators, seducers do not seem to require anything from their victims, nor blame them for anything. Their weapons are more subtle and inconspicuous. This is a promise of all sorts of rewards for behavior beneficial to the manipulator. The simplest manipulation of this kind is promises to a child to buy a toy for a high mark in a quarter, etc. In a more sophisticated version, this manipulation is presented in the form of caring for the victim, admiration for her talents. For example, relatives may persuade you to move to another apartment, saying that a school in another district will be better for your child. The boss can convince you that he sees in you extraordinary abilities for a business that you do not particularly like, and therefore you must transfer to another department. Particularly skilled seducers can use your dreams for their own manipulations. For example, to promise you to pay for vocational training and to fulfill your childhood dream of becoming a singer if you quit your job now.

How to protect yourself from manipulation?

1. Do not let your self-esteem be too dependent on what others think of you. We all need the approval of loved ones, but the pursuit of him should not become our goal. Ask yourself more often: “Do I do this because I really want to or in order to please others?” In other words, always ask yourself the question: "What for?" Why would you do this? Do you really need this?

2. Carefully guard your own borders. Remember: you are only responsible for yourself and for your young children up to a certain age. You, like other people around you, are individual adults and are able to solve your problems yourself. You can help, but not shift the responsibility for someone else's life onto yourself. Yes, You do not owe anything! If you consider the opposite, be prepared for the fact that the manipulators will fly to you, like flies to honey. D. Rowling very aptly noted that very moral, decent people are most susceptible to manipulation. They have an excessively pronounced obligation. And they consider others as decent as well, therefore they easily fall into the trap.

3. Do not allow yourself to focus your whole life on one person, be it a parent, child or partner. Your affection should be more or less evenly distributed among several people. No one should become your only meaning in life.

4. Do not think for another person, do not try to read his thoughts, even if he is trying hard to hint at you for something. Directly express your thoughts and desires, and try to bring others to frank conversations.

Constantly monitoring your feelings and asking yourself the above questions, you will learn how to determine the psychological violence against you and will be able to resist manipulation. Although this may not happen immediately. But gradually you will develop a skill and everything will turn out easily. And try to limit your communication with the manipulator. Surround yourself only with people who harmonize you, and not destroy you.

Tatyana Kulinich for https://junona.pro

The term “manipulation”, or “manipulation”, comes from the Latin word “manipulare” and in its original meaning meant “manage” in a positive sense: manage competently, provide assistance. In modern literature, manipulation is understood as the art of controlling the behavior and thinking of people with the help of targeted influence on public consciousness. The most complete definition of manipulation was given by E. L. Dotsenko in the article “Manipulation: a psychological definition of a concept”: “This is a type of psychological influence used to achieve one-sided gain by means of a hidden urge of another to perform certain actions”.

Let us cite the statement of Doctor of Philosophy V. M. Gerasimov: "Manipulating public opinion is one of the special methods of socio-psychological control." The main sign of the presence of manipulation is the situation when one subject considers the other as a means or a hindrance to his activity. From the height of his own ego, the manipulator turns another subject into an obedient tool, reducing it to the level of things subject to control and management. This judgment accurately reflects the situation prevailing in advertising, otherwise the advertiser (manipulator) would not be so interested in data on the selling power of advertising, called efficiency.

Manipulation is more demanded today than ever, since the conflict between the interests of the advertiser-manipulator (to impose one's own) and the consumer (to buy the best) is exacerbated due to the intensification of competition. Manipulation, by its very nature, is designed to smooth out this conflict, creating the illusion of the recipient making decisions independently. Moreover, we can say that the manipulation of consciousness is present in all areas of public life. This means that in all areas of life there is an ego of a manipulator, imposing its value system secretly, because of the inability to do this explicitly.

In the spiritual sphere, spiritual values \u200b\u200bare promoted through the priorities of education, through education, art, and literature.

In the political sphere, images are promoted and attractive, from the point of view of the manipulator (in this case, the political system), carriers of political ideas through PR-means, political advertising and the media.

In the social sphere, social ideas are promoted (such as the ideas of “freedom, equality, fraternity”). This happens through building a system of social myths (for example, “Stalin is the father”) and socially significant rituals (for example, military greetings).

And finally, in the material sphere, the priority of material values \u200b\u200bis promoted. Love for things as such is beneficial for the manipulator, as it facilitates its work. This is done through commercial advertising.

S. Kara-Murza identifies three main, generic signs of manipulation. Firstly, it is a kind of spiritual, psychological impact (and not physical violence or the threat of violence). The target of the manipulator’s actions is the spirit, mental structures of the human person.

Secondly, manipulation is a hidden effect, the fact of which should not be noticed by the object of manipulation. When an attempt to manipulate is opened and the exposure becomes quite widely known, the action is usually curtailed, since the disclosed fact of such an attempt causes significant damage to the manipulator. The main goal is even more thoroughly hidden - so that even the exposure of the very fact of the attempted manipulation does not lead to the clarification of distant intentions. Therefore, hiding, withholding information is an indispensable sign, although some methods of manipulation include “ultimate self-disclosure”, a game of sincerity, when a politician tears his shirt on his chest and lets out a mean male tear.

Thirdly, manipulation is an impact that requires considerable skill and knowledge. In politics, as a rule, specialists or at least special knowledge drawn from literature or instructions are involved in the development of the action. Since the manipulation of public consciousness has become a technology, professional workers have mastered this technology (or parts of it).

Thus, manipulation is a way of domination by spiritual influence on people through programming their behavior. This effect is aimed at the mental structures of a person, it is carried out secretly and sets as its task the change of opinions, motives and goals of people in the direction necessary for power. As G. Schiller observes, “to achieve success, manipulation must remain invisible. The success of manipulation is guaranteed when the manipulated person believes that everything that happens is natural and inevitable. That is, manipulation requires a fake reality in which its presence will not be felt. ” One of the first books directly dedicated to the manipulation of consciousness was the book of a sociologist from Germany Herbert Franke “Manipulated Man” (1964), which gives the following definition: “Manipulation in most cases should be understood as a psychological effect that is performed secretly, and, consequently, to the detriment of those persons to whom it is directed. ”

The nature of the manipulation consists in the presence of a double effect - along with the message sent openly, the manipulator sends a “coded” signal to the addressee, hoping that this signal will wake up those images that the manipulator needs in the mind of the addressee. This hidden influence is based on the “implicit knowledge” possessed by the addressee, on his ability to create images in his mind that affect his feelings, opinions and behavior. The art of manipulation is to start the process of imagination in the right direction, but so that a person does not notice a hidden effect.

The manipulator grants you the honorable right to be his slave.

Moreover, your slavery is voluntary. And you do what the manipulator wants, because you have something to lose. You have been “bribed” with a good attitude or imposed on you in such an image that it is now inconvenient not to correspond to him. You just become a means to achieve other people's goals. The manipulator does the work he needs with your hands. You just ended up in the hands of an experienced trainer.
Nothing wrong with that. Who does not sin by manipulation? And who was not a tool in the hands of manipulators? By and large, everyone is consciously or unconsciously manipulating each other. It’s just that different people have different effects. A woman who, expressing resentment, seeks concessions and gifts, clearly manipulates the man. Children manipulate parents, men - wives, superiors - subordinates, and those - superiors.
But sometimes it gets bored. And not for everyone we are ready to do what he wants. In business, they can manipulate knowingly and to the detriment of you. And then it’s important to know how not to fall into the clutches of manipulators. And how to recognize them? This knowledge is taught to scouts. Indeed, in business you also have to be a scout. Let's look at one of the textbooks intended for intelligence schools. It summarizes the symptoms of common manipulation.

Signs by which you can suspect manipulators

1. Interest in the facts of your past experience.
It is very bad if the partner expresses awareness of your plans and long-term aspirations. Even worse, when he knows too much about what exactly you planned from among the failed undertakings. The higher the awareness of this kind, the partner is more ready to manipulate you. Think about why another person should study your plans if not for manipulating you?
2. Increased personal attention to your person.
An increased interest in the facts of your biography, marital status, hobby and the manifestation of this awareness is a sign of manipulative interest.
3. Increased interest in philosophical topics.
A variety of conversations on the "meaning of life", so attractive in a partner feast, can actually hide the development of plans for influencing you.
4. Themes of personal motivation.
Feeling your motivation (why, why, for what purpose, what does it give you?) Is always intelligence of your personality.
5. Flattery.
A clear overstatement of your personal, status, professional qualities and capabilities.
6. The topic of personal orientations.
Translation of the conversation from the topic under discussion to your personal values, orientations, opinions, attitudes, ideals.
7. Dramatization of the situation.
Description of the dire consequences.
8. Accentuation of time pressure.
The partner drives you, focuses your attention on the lack of time for reflection and delay.
9. Appeal to third parties.
10. Persistent desire to provide you a service.
11. Appeal to positive past experiences.
“Yes, we have done so a thousand times with this and that.”
12. References to significant names.
13. The approximation.
Imposing oneself, one’s surroundings, any new face.
14. Programming.
The partner is trying to impose his vision on you, different from yours.

Warning!
Assign the label of the manipulator only to those people who use entire complexes of these techniques. On single manifestations, do not make conclusions about what you are deliberately manipulated. We are all unconsciously trying to manipulate each other.

Manipulator can be recognized by emotional reactions.

1. High stability during your attacks.
A person’s tendency to suppress emotional reactions can signal the secrecy and duplicity of nature.
2. Artificial humor.
3. "Mirroring."
You smiled, smiled at you; you speak at a fast pace, they answer you the same way; you crossed your legs, the partner sat the same way. You are reflected like in a mirror.
4. Forcing anxiety.
5. Extraordinary reactions.
Reactions, inadequate situations (for example, one yells at the other when disassembling in super-elevated tones).
6. An attempt to disorganize your activity, to put you at the point of bifurcation, that is, at the point of unstable equilibrium.

Manipulation protection

"Manipulation.
The defense against manipulation is based on the classical principles of martial arts. Their essence is to turn the weapon against the attacker. The stronger your opponent attacks, the stronger your counter-action. It turns out that your opponent is actually fighting against himself. Below are various tricks to protect against manipulation, collected from various sources, including special methods developed in counterintelligence. For your real situation, you will have to decide for yourself which methods will be more suitable.
If you have undergone manipulation and succumbed to it, then this can be equated to infection. Sickness means that you have become infected and become a victim of a manipulator. To fight the disease, you need to be able to make the correct diagnosis and choose a treatment for it.
Here are the tricks, the knowledge of which allows you to make a diagnosis. If you find these symptoms, then you are infected. Receptions taken from a textbook for economic intelligence.

1. METERS
(Method of Current Rational Self-Control)

If you have been manipulated and tried to brainwash you, then turn on the time control of thinking. As soon as you find that after contact you continue to speculate other people's ideas, it is very likely that you were attacked. This is commonplace. The entire affiliate business is built on the infection of the minds of others with the right ideas. This is not very commonplace. For not a single victim wanted to become her.
The more actively someone else's thought is processed in your brain, the longer you analyze it, the deeper your transformations, the better you are charged.

2. “Introspection method”

Introspection is looking into oneself, inside one’s subconscious, inside one’s sensations. Trust your subconscious. Very rarely, disturbing sensations are groundless. Your intuition will tell you where to look and what to look for. And although this method is not exact, it is used even in intelligence. It looks like shooting at night. It is better to close your eyes completely and shoot by ear than staring into the dark. The main thing is not to neglect this method.

3. "The method of meditation"

Relax and focus. Focus on the subject. Your subconscious mind will surface answers to your inquiries.

To recognize if you are being manipulated, you need to do the following:
1. Open channels of attention and connect memory to record and record the slightest nuances of the object’s behavior. Choose the appropriate role and position that allows you to see the object from the angles you need, not be distracted, concentrate and write down information as fully as possible.
2. Analyze data by connecting logic to the analysis of behavioral observations.
3. Connect the analyzer of the unconscious, resorting to its stimulation by appropriate methods. A look inside you, a review of your inner sensations should not only give you answers to your observations. The habit of analyzing inner experiences opens up channels of unconscious processing of information, which leads to an intensification of intuition.
4. Do not forget that the best defense is an attack. Practice your own influence and you will not be among the defeated.
5. Remember: "Aliens do not betray." Take a look around ...

Other tricks to protect against manipulation

"Time out." In negotiations, never settle for the first sentence. Do not say yes or no. Better take some time to think.
So, always take the time to think for yourself, and try not to give it to another if you want to manage it. If you get the same competent opponent and take this time, then rejoice that your manipulation did not pass. With a smart partner, the game is more interesting.
"Pause". When bouncing, show effects, trying to bring you into an unstable state, keep a pause yourself. And the longer the better. During a pause, the mind wakes up. You can imagine yourself as if inside your own aura, which protects you from all harmful arrows of influence. At the same time, you can help yourself with suggestion formulas like “I'm not a garbage can to draw in the fear, threat, resentment, humiliation that emit me.” Simple tricks, but they really help to resist manipulation and not get to the bifurcation point.
"Do not rush". If you begin to rush, then calmly say: “Haste is needed only when catching fleas” or “A hurrying dog gives birth to blind puppies”, “What will be done soon, then it will take a long time”, “Do not rush, you will reach”, “Do not rush, otherwise You’ll be late "or" I have a principle: a responsible decision must be taken with a fresh mind and after it lies down a bit. "

taken from the site

All of us at least once in our lives have come across people trying to influence us in order to achieve our own goals. Playing on our feelings, they manipulate us, achieving what we want. Such people are manipulators. How to recognize them and how to resist them?

Man manipulator - who is he

Analyze the behavior of your friends, perhaps among them there are those who shamelessly use you for their own selfish purposes. There are several types of manipulators:

Dictators seek to influence their prey with orders, dominance. They often quote the statements of famous people in order to achieve submission using the authority of others.
The opposite of dictators is rags. Such people tend to pursue their own demonstration of personal hypersensitivity. They often forget, prefer not to hear comments and passively be silent.
The manipulator-calculator strives to keep everyone under control. Moreover, he himself does not hesitate to deceive and evade. Due to his tendency to deceive, he also suspects others of lies and constantly double-checks.

Sticking - this is the person who prefers is in a dependent position. He wants to be surrounded by care and attention.
A bully demonstrates his aggression, threatens, acts cruelly with others and thereby achieves the desired.
The antipode of a bully is considered a nice guy. He prefers to act by showing exaggerated care and attention. A nice guy just chokes with his love.
The manipulator judge prefers to blame everyone, he is always full of indignation.
Opposite methods are the manipulator-protector. He is always condescending to the mistakes of others and emphasizes everyone with emphasis.

How to recognize a manipulator

Determining what you want to use is not so simple. After all, the manipulator always seeks to hide his selfish intent. He will weave a web around his victim until she herself presents him with what she wants. To act openly is not in the nature of the manipulator. But still there are a few characteristic features by which they can be recognized.

Such people are always consistent. They adhere to the rule that once a person has promised something, he must fulfill it. At the same time, the changed circumstances and other arguments are not taken into account. Manipulators often use information about the wishes and needs of their victims, which allows them to achieve what they want. For example, hinting to a person that he has the opportunity to fulfill the old desire of the victim, then throw him with his requests. A person begins to feel obligated and fulfills the desires of the manipulator, paying for the promised benefits.

Manipulators are very fond of exploiting such positive traits of a person as decency and honesty, integrity and integrity. Especially the manipulators' favorite technique is the exchange of courtesies. Having made a trifle for his victim, for example, having bought pies for lunch, the manipulator will definitely ask for a response service. At the same time, this response will necessarily be on a larger scale than the purchased pies. For example, please stand by instead.

Signs of manipulation

The psychological pressure that the manipulator exerts on you is very difficult to notice. You must listen to your feelings. The surest sign of manipulation is guilt. You know that you are not doing anything wrong, but you all feel guilty when dealing with a person. This sensation is the first sign of manipulation. Be careful, they are trying to deceive you!

Another sure sign of a trap being set is anxiety. You implicitly feel the danger when talking with a seemingly nice interlocutor. These two feelings give rise to responsibility. You begin to realize your dependence on the manipulator, to lose its location. As a result, you fulfill all his requirements, trying to please him, sometimes contrary to your desires and benefits.

Manipulation protection

After realizing the fact that they are trying to manipulate you, try to take retaliatory measures to protect your interests. To begin, break the contact with the manipulator. You can simply interrupt the conversation, thus avoiding an uncomfortable conversation.

Another way is to pretend not to understand. Thus, you force the manipulator to more clearly explain the motives of his actions. You will achieve the same effect by directly asking the manipulator about his desire. As an option, you can voice this desire yourself, if you have figured it out. For example, ask this question: "I understand correctly, you want to get from me ...?"

If you are required to make an immediate decision, in no case do this. Just take note of the information and set aside the decision for later. Do not go about your own, always keep your own desires in sight, stay away from too amiable offers.

A good way to protect yourself from manipulation is to refuse without explanation. Do not enter into disputes with the manipulator and do not explain to him the reasons for your refusal. So you will give him a field for activity, and he will be able to entangle you with his web.