Why Are People so Easily Manipulated?

"Manipulation exists, because it works." (Braiker)

Manipulation is one of, if not it is the ugliest characteristic a person can have. Manipulation comes in many different forms and sizes. Some people don't know when they're being manipulative or manipulated and others know that they are being manipulative and use it to their advantage. Some may know they are being manipulated but are either too scared to do something about it or don't know how to react to it so they choose to ignore and deny it.

Manipulation works on people who are self conscious, gullible, vulnerable, naive, stupid etc... They find excuses to prove to themselves that they are not being manipulated. They keep denying the obvious and find themselves at the manipulators mercy. They may lack self respect or self esteem and feel like they deserve to be punished or they may feel quite lonely and so they feel a bond of some sort to the manipulator, ironically though, people who are being manipulated feel even more alone than before. They're like puppets being controlled. They don't know how to get out of being manipulated. They feel trapped.

The Manipulator is like the ultimate puppet master. They are cruel, controlling, clever, greedy, selfish etc... they would do whatever it takes for their advantage. They like to boost their own ego and use the victim in doing so. They play with the victim's mind and brainwash them into believing that they care about them and that they are trying to help them when in reality they'll throw you away the minute that you become of no use to them. The minute that you have done everything they wanted you to do and they milked every use that you had to them, you're on your own. However, manipulation is like a cycle that just keeps going. There are many manipulators that "can easily shift their focus from one victim to another." (Fattah) Once they're done with one victim, they go find another to brainwash and do their dirty laundry. 

A person that can manipulate knows your weaknesses and uses them against you. Whether it's being too nice or that you trust too easily, they will use your weak point to their advantage. I for one, know what it feels like to have my kindness be taken advantage of.  My weakness is my niceness and people are quick to notice so they take advantage of it. They would keep asking for things from me or errands that I can do for them, knowing that it would be hard for me to say no. Two letters can make a very strong word. If I were to say them, the people would be in shock and question why I was being mean which annoys me a great deal because they obviously have no respect for me and are just using me. Once they learn that I won't do everything they want me to do, they throw me off and find a new puppet or "servant" to obey them. Manipulators don't show mercy. They show satisfaction for your downfall. It's like a the perfect movie for them with their perfect happy ending. 

Manipulation in the Real World:

The scary thing about manipulation is that it can come from the closest person you know. Someone that you love and trust, can use it against you for their needs. Many people can suffer from being in a manipulative relationship. Your partner, the man or women that is supposed to love and care for you, can find a way to make you their pawn.

There are different ways to show manipulation in a relationship such as:

Lying: Normally the lies are hard to detect and more so the truth comes out when it's too late. Over time you start to notice certain signs that tells you that they're lying such as fidgeting, 
 too much or too little eye contact etc..

Guilt Trip: The manipulator will try to convince their partner that they do not care for them much and accuse them of being selfish. This would cause the victim to become guilty, anxious and start to doubt themselves.

Seduction: The manipulator tries to use flattery, charm and overly praise the victim to get them to give their loyalty and trust to the manipulator. In other words, they'd have "the disease to please" (Anand).

There are so many other ways to show manipulation in a relationship. Most of the time the victim doesn't realize that he/she is being manipulated and when they do realize it, they don't know how to react out of fear and so they deny it to themselves.