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Some actors manipulate others to get what they want—resources, approval, obedience, or advantage.

They choose manipulation because it works: it can bypass resistance, speed up compliance, and deliver results.

But this comes at a cost: it violates trust, autonomy, and fairness. Manipulators are willing to accept those costs—usually for self-interest, power, or control—even if it harms others.

To avoid guilt or self-reproach, manipulators often hide the manipulation from themselves using psychological shields like:

• rationalization (“Everyone does it.”)
• minimization (“It’s not a big deal.”)
• blame-shifting (“They made me do it.”)

These defenses let them see themselves as good, even while manipulating others.