How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation

According to Beth E Peterson Source: http://www.wingedblue.com/manip2.html Techniques are the manipulative tools used by a manipulator to take control over their targeted victims. They fall within three main areas:    Environment Information Ideology Have you ever found yourself feeling pressured to do something because everyone around is doing it? That is an example of how your environment can influence you. Are you aware of how many different environments you move through in a single day? More than you may realize. Each of those environments is a potential place of manipulative attack.... Have you ever heard the saying, "Information Is Power"? It is more true than many of us know. Have you ever been misinformed about a relationship, and chosen a direction you might not have gone otherwise? This happens often enough in regular circumstances; in the hands of a manipulator, it becomes a powerful weapon. In your profession or hobbies, do you use jargon? Words that mean something different than in usual conversation? (If I told you I was firing in a reducing atmosphere, would you have a clue what I was talking about? Probably only if you are a potter. *wink*) Jargon is normal; we accept it without much thought. Manipulators, however, use jargon to influence and drive their victims. Each of the above is a possible avenue for manipulation through information.... Do you think world peace is a good idea? The majority of us will probably say a resounding 'yes!'...but in the hands of a manipulator, such worthy ideas and goals are nothing more than tools. Do you like the feeling that you are special? That you are part of something wonderful? Such ideas are part of the drawing in process and the manipulative tool of Us vs Them. What happens when your boss says, 'do it my way or else'? You will definitely feel a pressure to conform to their requirements. Such pressure can be applied in many ways... When you have gotten to a certain point in a manipulative relationship, the manipulator will use the tool of ideology to break your internal strength down even further by 'showing' you that you are 'wrong' or 'mistaken'. Have you ever felt that you haven't measure up? That you just weren't good enough at something? Such feelings and experiences also become weapons in the hands of a manipulator. Time refers to how our Toeholds and the manipulator's Techniques act together through Time to draw in the manipulator's victim. There are six stages in this process of Time:       Softening Up Compliance Identification Consolidation Disaffiliation Recovery Have you ever seen an ad? Read a book? Talked to a stranger while waiting for an airplane? Gone on a date? Then you may have already entered the softening up phase with a manipulator.... 28

How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 29