I must make it very clear that just because you fall for some form of manipulation, it doesn't make you a fool.
Very far from it.
We're all subject to persuasion by the silver tongue at one time or another.
I just hope that these two articles will give you some insight as to how these people and different ploys can affect you and give you some idea of how to combat them.
Authority Even if the tasks go against the grain, people will always tend to obey authority figures.
These people come in many different types and of course Jim Jones was naturally authoritative.
Liking If people like someone, they're far more likely to buy from them, or do business with them.
Unfortunately, 'likable' people are only too capable of doing some very unlikable things.
We also tend to like attractive people.
This is why spy organizations try to seduce people with very attractive and alluring women so that they'll engage in pillow talk much more readily.
I know that I personally became entangled with an beguilingly attractive woman once.
She wasn't beautiful, just incredibly magnetic.
I knew perfectly well that I was being an idiot, but I went ahead.
In the event, all that happened was that she let me down badly, but all I suffered was wounded pride.
It could have been a whole lot worse.
If you study cult leaders, you'll find them all to be extremely attractive and charismatic.
Scarcity I can just remember the war years.
At the end of the war, rumour ran around town that there were some bananas at the grocer.
Poor old mother set off at full gallop to see if there were any left.
She returned, looking as though she'd just gone fifteen rounds with the world heavyweight champion, clutching three blackened bananas to her chest.
So, if it appears there's a scarcity, the demand will increase.
Notices you see in shop windows like; "Limited Offer," or "While Stocks Last," all fall under the scarcity principle.
Relationships that are manipulative come under the same principle.
"You'll never know anyone who loves you as I do.
" This emphasizes my rarity and the fact that I'm so much more valuable to you.
So you must include in your arsenal of psychological self-defense, the following.
.
Remember that 'promise of gain' or 'threat of loss' are basic manipulative tools.
.
Be aware that if your emotional needs are not being met, then you become vulnerable to anyone who wants to exploit them.
.
Understand how Dr.
Cialdini's 'Weapons of Influence' may be made to operate in everyday life.
.
Lastly, stay calm.
Don't go rushing into anything without looking around the corners of what's behind an offer.
A calm mind can see much more clearly and objectively