5 Dangerous Dark Psychology Tricks to Watch out for [Manipulative]

Dark psychology tricks are manipulative tricks developed using psychology for a certain purpose.

There isn’t a lot of information about dark psychology on the internet and little scientific research by psychologists about it. But it’s widely used in real life.

The problem is, it’s so hard to see these tricks when they’re used on you.

You meet an unknown person who seems to be genuine and caring, saying the things that align with your inner world which makes you think that person is good.

You end up agreeing with them or doing what they recommend you should do.

You move on with your day not knowing that you were tricked with one of the dark psychology tricks.

Dark psychology tricks don’t require any supernatural power or a ritual; they’re based on psychology and revolve in the circle of logic.

Not all people can easily spot dark psychology tactics because fewer people make decisions based on logic.

People who take decisions based on logic and critical thinking aren’t easily tricked. Most of these tricks play on people’s emotions.

The more emotional you are, the more you go with what makes you feel good without thinking if it’s bad or good and wrong or right.

But if you critically think before taking a decision, some things won’t make sense.

Which will give you a clear understanding of what a person’s goal or intention is.

The goal or intention is the main thing you should point out when dealing with a dark psychology user.

The earlier you know their main goal, the easier you know which trick and tactic the user is using.

Dark Psychology Tricks

Here are the 5 dangerous dark psychology tricks you should be aware of:

1. Love bombing

Love bombing is a manipulative dating trick used by narcissistic and abusive individuals.

Love bombing is one of the most dangerous tactics because it exploits the victim’s weakness and nature.

This tactic depends mainly on a dark psychology trick. It’s mainly used in relationships and friendships, but is rarely seen between family members.

You give a person full admiration and excessive attention, making them feel loved and the center of your world with the main goal of making the victim dependent.

Most victims of love bombings can be easily manipulated as they don’t think twice.

In most abusive relationships, the user commands the victim to cut his/her relationship with friends.

Because anyone close to the victim can easily spot these manipulative and abusive tricks.

But the victim will be blinded by the truth, and when given which side to go with, he/she will go with the manipulative side thinking it’s the good side.

Also, read: 6 Dark Psychology Tactics that Everyone Should be aware of

2. Restricting choice

This trick is mainly used by waiters and parents. The goal is to let the victim choose one of the choices you made for them.

People naturally feel free and better when given the freedom to make their own decisions. This trick is based on this fact.

Instead of deciding something for a person which may piss them off. You give them a choice in the boundaries of your decision.

The person is more likely to choose one of the choices you made for them.

Also, read: 13 Cool Psychological Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

3. Ghosting

Ghosting is becoming popular in these days relationships.

It’s the nature of humans to simply dislike or push away a person who shows too much attention and interest.

While people show interest in those who aren’t interested in them.

Ghosting aligns with love bombing and is mostly used together. After showing interest in someone and giving them excessive attention, you ghost them.

The absence creates a void in them, making them miss you and think a lot about you.

If you had a great influence on them with the love bombing tactic, the victim will take the action of searching for you.

The deeper the connection becomes, the deeper the ghosting effect gets.

In some cases, the victim becomes addicted to the person to a point where they can do anything just to reach the user.

It’s one of the dangerous and effective dark psychology tricks everyone should watch out for at the beginning of a relationship.

I do understand that as an adult we become so busy with many work and tasks, but there’s a point where ghosting can be easily spotted.

Victims of this trick are usually left confused that they stop believing their inner thoughts.

The more confused you become about the other person’s feelings for you after a while, the more you can be sure the other person is ghosting you.

Also, read: 7 cool psychology tricks that most people don’t know

4. Withdrawal

It’s close to an emotional detachment, which is the inability or unwillingness to connect with other people on an emotional level.

Withdrawal is healthy when you realize you are dealing with an emotional manipulator. But it’s hard when it’s implied to you.

In every relationship and friendship, both sides expect to receive the same behavior.

But it becomes hard when the person whom you expect to show you love, affection, and care goes cold on you without any explanation or clear reason.

This act makes the victim rethink his behavior (even if it’s good) making them overthink and think they are bad.

Love bombing, ghosting, and withdrawal are phases of exploiting and controlling a person.

Narcissists, psychopaths, and sociopaths are more likely to master all these tactics and tricks.

While they are seen as charming, intelligent, and cool, they can make others’ lives more difficult.

Also, read: 7 Interesting Psychology Facts about Love Everyone Should Know

5. Gaslighting

It’s the most dangerous trick among all these tricks because it makes the victim question their sanity.

Gaslighting is used a lot by smart people in discussions and arguments where they defend their point of view by loading facts.

But by pointing out your insecurities, which can make you rethink your point of view.

This is an unhealthy trick that is hard to detect. Any person who defends their point of view by focusing on things like geography, color, family, past trauma, and events instead of using facts is gaslighting you.

Be cautious of that person and never fall into their trick.

What makes gaslighting hard to detect is people only say, a fraction of the truth (Fact).

This allows people to agree with them, which makes it a perfect moment to play with their victim’s sanity.

When dealing with such a person, tell them to defend their opinion with facts and never fall victim to their story.

These dark psychological tricks are dangerous and can destroy a person’s life.

Leaving you in the middle without giving you ways to avoid falling prey to these abusive tricks isn’t appropriate.

4 Ways to avoid being prey to dark psychology tricks and tactics

1. Learn more about psychology and dark psychology

It’s the ultimate way to defend yourself against dark psychology users.

People who use these tricks and tactics are narcissists, psychopaths, sociopaths, leaders, politicians, attorneys, and influencers.

These tricks are clearly seen in their shady tactics mixed with these abusive tricks.

Politicians lie a lot and can defend their lies in every way to deceive citizens. They don’t care how their lies impact others’ lives, they only care about their goals.

But learning about psychological tricks and tactics makes you easily spot these shady tactics.

Luckily, there are a lot of information on the internet from trusted sources like Healthline, Verywellmind, Psychologytoday, and Wikipedia.

2. Improve your critical thinking

Critical thinking is very important in taking decisions in life which can make you immune to all these tricks.

If you can analyze a person’s behavior and actions towards you, you can easily spot if they are being genuine or just manipulating you for their goals.

People who lack critical thinking and knowledge about these tactics easily fall prey because they take decisions based on their feelings, ignoring what their guts tell them.

3. Discuss your confusion with an honest friend

If you are too confused and unable to make any clear judgment, discuss the issue with an experienced and honest friend to get a different perception of the issue.

If the person is using one of the above tricks, he/she will appear fake to a person who watches his/her action from a different angle.

In most cases, you get a warning from your close friend. These warnings are great and can save you from many issues.

4. Watch out for signs of manipulation, then confront them

Do not trust people you meet easily. Don’t be too concerned about finding faults in the person you meet, but don’t be too naive only seeing the good side of them.

People aren’t perfect, and sometimes the closest people to you are the manipulators.

If you are sure of the sign, be direct and ask them about the reason. If the person is genuine and has nothing to hide, they will be direct and honest about their actions.

But a manipulator is more likely to become defensive and talk about you, instead of simply telling the truth.

Also, read: 6 Creepy Psychology Facts That Most People Don’t Know

5 Dangerous Dark Psychology Tricks to Watch out for [Manipulative]

Conclusion

Dark psychology tricks are dangerous and can greatly destroy your life.

Here are the 5 dangerous dark psychology tricks to watch out for:

• Love bombing
• Restricting choice
• Ghosting
• Withdrawal
• Gaslighting