Are you being manipulated with praises?
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| Photo credit: Hybrid @artbyhybrid @unsplash Are you being manipulated with praises? | healthbiztips |
Are you being manipulated with praises? | healthbiztips
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | Psychology blog |
Praises brings about positive feelings, but let me ask you a question: Have you ever been praised by co-workers or friends so you feel somehow compelled to exert more effort or do favors for them? At the back of your mind, you don't even have the slightest hint that you are being taken advantaged of because you have this notion that you are doing all these things voluntarily because you feel at ease with them.
In exchange for their praises and flowery words, you subconsciously feel compulsion to do more for them. Even when your workload increases, you don't really catch the manipulative behavior on the spot. But try doing just your equal share of workload and saying "no" whenever they ask for favor and the change of their behavior is almost immediate.
Unfortunately, manipulators can use praises and compliments to get what they want, be it consciously or subconsciously. It's a devious way because if you think about it, they don't really mean what they said in the first place and only aim to get what they want.
Praises, as a tool for psychological manipulation is a tactic not many people are aware of. It often is hard to catch especially by novice since it usually comes to those that are close to us like family and friends.
But, being able to identify when a manipulator uses the tactic of praise and compliment to sway you into submission is invaluable because, then, you'll be able to identify fake friends and users who don't have you best interest in mind and only care about their personal interest. That way, it will be easier to catch them and not fall victim of this vile tactic under the guise of heart-warming words.
