What is dark psychology and how does it relate to manipulation?
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:24 am
It is a psychological approach focused on understanding what leads a person to have manipulative and controlling behavior to achieve what they want, without measuring the consequences that are generated. Keep reading and find out why we are talking about dark psychology.
To better understand human behavior, detect and avoid mental traps that can cause harm, and develop greater decision-making capacity and autonomy, it is important to talk about dark psychology. This is a topic that arouses a lot of interest and curiosity, but also fear and rejection. Therefore, it is essential to know more about what it means, the areas involved in it, and the techniques that are usually applied.
What is dark psychology?
Dark psychology is the study of the motivations, behaviors, and personalities of individuals who use persuasion, manipulation, and deception to achieve their ends, regardless of the harm they cause to others. Dark psychology is not an official branch of psychology, but rather an approach that seeks to explore the shadowy areas of the mind for a more complete understanding of the human being. Therefore, it is based on the observation and analysis of individual behaviors and traits that can be considered dark or harmful from an ethical and social perspective.
Dark psychology relates to concepts such as Machiavellianism – people cp numbers who are cunning, deceitful and manipulative in order to achieve their goals –, narcissism – linked to selfishness, vanity, arrogance and lack of empathy –, sociopathy – a personality disorder characterized by antisocial behavior and lack of empathy towards others – and psychopathy – a tendency towards manipulation and the search for personal gratification at the expense of others –. These are personality traits that are considered undesirable and dangerous.
Dark psychology does not have a single creator, but is a term used to describe the study of the manipulative aspects of the human mind. However, Steven Turner is the author of the book Dark Psychology: What Machiavellian People Use (2019), where he explores the principles and strategies used by Machiavellian individuals to gain power and dominance over others. Turner is therefore considered a reference in the study of manipulation and psychological control, revealing how these phenomena can affect people's lives.
Keep reading and find out: what are personality theories?
Areas that characterize dark psychology
Dark psychology is based on knowledge of human behavior, non-verbal communication, neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and psychological warfare . These disciplines allow victims to be analyzed, manipulated and persuaded, without them realizing or consenting to what is happening.
For dark psychology to be assessed, persuasion, mental control, manipulation and the dark triad of personality must be manifested, which come together when influencing the behavior of other people. Below is an explanation of what each of these areas consists of:
Persuasion. It is the art of influencing the opinions, attitudes and behaviour of others through the use of arguments, messages or techniques. Persuasion can have positive or negative purposes, depending on the intentions and values of the persuader.
Mind control. It consists of altering or dominating the mind of another person, using coercive, deceptive or abusive methods. It can have political, religious, commercial or personal ends, creating an emotional, cognitive or behavioural dependency.
Manipulation. This is the act of influencing others through the use of hidden, dishonest or malicious strategies. It is usually for selfish or malicious purposes and is based on exploiting the weaknesses, needs or desires of others.
Dark triad of personality. It is a set of three traits that are characterized by a lack of empathy, a tendency to exploit, and a cynical or contemptuous view of others, characterized by egocentrism, cynicism, opportunism, and impulsiveness.
To better understand human behavior, detect and avoid mental traps that can cause harm, and develop greater decision-making capacity and autonomy, it is important to talk about dark psychology. This is a topic that arouses a lot of interest and curiosity, but also fear and rejection. Therefore, it is essential to know more about what it means, the areas involved in it, and the techniques that are usually applied.
What is dark psychology?
Dark psychology is the study of the motivations, behaviors, and personalities of individuals who use persuasion, manipulation, and deception to achieve their ends, regardless of the harm they cause to others. Dark psychology is not an official branch of psychology, but rather an approach that seeks to explore the shadowy areas of the mind for a more complete understanding of the human being. Therefore, it is based on the observation and analysis of individual behaviors and traits that can be considered dark or harmful from an ethical and social perspective.
Dark psychology relates to concepts such as Machiavellianism – people cp numbers who are cunning, deceitful and manipulative in order to achieve their goals –, narcissism – linked to selfishness, vanity, arrogance and lack of empathy –, sociopathy – a personality disorder characterized by antisocial behavior and lack of empathy towards others – and psychopathy – a tendency towards manipulation and the search for personal gratification at the expense of others –. These are personality traits that are considered undesirable and dangerous.
Dark psychology does not have a single creator, but is a term used to describe the study of the manipulative aspects of the human mind. However, Steven Turner is the author of the book Dark Psychology: What Machiavellian People Use (2019), where he explores the principles and strategies used by Machiavellian individuals to gain power and dominance over others. Turner is therefore considered a reference in the study of manipulation and psychological control, revealing how these phenomena can affect people's lives.
Keep reading and find out: what are personality theories?
Areas that characterize dark psychology
Dark psychology is based on knowledge of human behavior, non-verbal communication, neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and psychological warfare . These disciplines allow victims to be analyzed, manipulated and persuaded, without them realizing or consenting to what is happening.
For dark psychology to be assessed, persuasion, mental control, manipulation and the dark triad of personality must be manifested, which come together when influencing the behavior of other people. Below is an explanation of what each of these areas consists of:
Persuasion. It is the art of influencing the opinions, attitudes and behaviour of others through the use of arguments, messages or techniques. Persuasion can have positive or negative purposes, depending on the intentions and values of the persuader.
Mind control. It consists of altering or dominating the mind of another person, using coercive, deceptive or abusive methods. It can have political, religious, commercial or personal ends, creating an emotional, cognitive or behavioural dependency.
Manipulation. This is the act of influencing others through the use of hidden, dishonest or malicious strategies. It is usually for selfish or malicious purposes and is based on exploiting the weaknesses, needs or desires of others.
Dark triad of personality. It is a set of three traits that are characterized by a lack of empathy, a tendency to exploit, and a cynical or contemptuous view of others, characterized by egocentrism, cynicism, opportunism, and impulsiveness.