When you hear the word "manipulation," what pops into your head? Probably something not-so-great, right? But here's the thing: we've all been using little tricks to get what we want since we were kids. Think about it—babies are the tiniest manipulators out there! They cry when they need something or just want a bit of attention.

Even though we don’t want to admit it, we’re all guilty of using manipulation here and there.

So, what do we really mean when we talk about manipulation? In a nutshell, it's about using certain strategies to get others to act in a way that we want. Basically, it's trying to guide people to do something that works out in our favor.

Understanding manipulation

The first step towards defending yourself against manipulators is to learn the basics about it.
In this article we will discuss five common techniques that are being used by marketers, the media and salespeople.

In reality there are many more, but covering them all in one article is not possible. If you want to learn more about manipulation, you need to read my future articles. (I just used a manipulation technique called foot-in-the-door technique)

Here are five common techniques you should know, in order to protect yourself against daily manipulation:

Common manipulation techniques

1. Framing

2. Repetition

3. Attention bias

4. Scarcity

5. Reciprocity
   

Framing:
Framing is all about how a situation or product is presented to you, often used by the media and marketing agencies to influence your perception. By carefully choosing certain words, they can shape how you think. Here are a couple of examples to illustrate this:

- Imagine two products that cost and weigh exactly the same. One is labeled "80% lean," while the other says "20% fat." Which one would you pick? Most people would go for the "80% lean" option because it sounds healthier and more appealing, even though both products are identical.

- The media frequently uses powerful words to steer our thoughts in a particular direction. For instance, terms like "war" or "escalation" sound much more intense than "conflict".

By understanding framing, you can become more aware of how language influences your decisions and perceptions.

Repetition:
You know how sometimes you hear something once and it just slips your mind? It's pretty common! We usually remember things better when we come across them repeatedly.
That's why marketers plan their campaigns to run for months instead of just a week.

The same principle applies to the media. The more often we hear something, the more likely we are to believe it's true.

Attention bias:
Attention bias is all about steering someone's focus toward a specific thing. Salespeople use this trick a lot.
Instead of letting their clients notice any downsides of a product, they highlight the positives. Take a car salesperson, for instance. They wouldn't start by pointing out a small trunk. Instead, they'd brag about the awesome sound system or the powerful engine.
By directing attention to the good stuff, we often overlook the not-so-great aspects.

Scarcity:
“Only while stock lasts!” Have you ever read that somewhere?
When we're told that a product or service won't be around forever, it taps into our fear of missing out, making us more likely to buy it right away. The truth is, in most cases, there's plenty of supply. It's just a clever tactic to get us to act quickly. Our fear of losing out often outweighs rational thinking.

Reciprocity:
When you lend a hand to someone, they often feel inclined to return the favor. It's just how we're built as humans. Manipulative folks have been tapping into this since forever. Think about those free samples at the store, or that complimentary dessert at your favorite restaurant – they can really make a difference.
For instance, did you know that waitresses who give out free desserts tend to get bigger tips compared to those who don't? It's a great example of how powerful reciprocity can be.

In conclusion

Every day, we encounter subtle influences. Some people out there are really good at looking out for their own interests, sometimes at our expense. While not everyone has bad intentions, it's tremendously helpful to recognize a few common manipulation tactics. It’s a handy skill to navigate through life!

If you’re not familiar with the most common tricks, you might find yourself at the mercy of the media and big company marketing campaigns.
Techniques like framing, repetition, attention bias, scarcity, and reciprocity are just a few examples of what we encounter every day. The first step to protecting yourself is simply being aware that these tactics exist and are being used on you.

Thank you for reading.