This is a list of manipulation tricks listed by the user "Know a Bit More" on Youtube.
If you want to know more: https://www.youtube.com/@KnowaBitMoreOfficial (not affiliated with this channel)
| Tactic | Example |
|---|---|
| All or Nothing Trap | "So you don't care about anything I said?" |
| Always Late | "Sorry, I'm late for the 4th time!" |
| Authority Fallacy | "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I'm an expert." - but they're not REALLY one. |
| Backhanded Offer | "I'd help, but I'm sure you've got it under control." |
| Bending Information | "Studies show..." |
| Black & White | "You're either with me or against me." |
| Blame Sandwich | "Sure, I messed up, but if you hadn't done that..." |
| Blame You for Everything | "You should've woken me up!" - after they missed their alarm. |
| Compare You to Others | "Why can't you be more like..." |
| Confidence Hijack | "I wouldn't do that, it's kinda risky!" |
| Constant Competition | "Excuse me? YOU had a rough day? I had to work 12 HOURS!" |
| Constantly Neagtive | "Ugh, it's raining, the coffee is too hot, & the water is too wet!" |
| Cult Recruitment | "Join us, & you'll finally belong somewhere." |
| Damsel in Distress | "I just can't do this without you!" |
| Deflection | "Why are you bringing this up? What about what you did last week?" |
| Dependency Creation | "You'd fall apart without me handling the bills." |
| Echo Chamber | "Everyone I told this to agrees with me." |
| Emotional Blackmail | "If you don't help me, I might fall apart completely!" |
| Emotional Comparisons | "You think you're stressed? YOU? My day was WAY worse!" |
| Emotional Hijack | "How could you do this to me?" |
| Emotional Yo-yo | "You're amazing! But honestly, I expected more." |
| Empathy Leverage | "I knew you'd understand! You're such a kind person." - asks a big favor afterwards. |
| Endless Question Loop | "Why would you think that? Are you sure? But why?" |
| Euphemism Mask | "It's not a lie, it's just bending the truth a tad." |
| Everyone's Doing It | "Come on, everyone's going there! You don't wanna be left out, right?" |
| Exaggerated Sacrifice | "I skipped my lunch break to finish this!" |
| Exclusion Threats | "If you don't come to Sarah's dinner party, you'll regret it." |
| Exploitation of Rules | "Sorry, it's just company policy." |
| Eye Roll Trap | "Fine, do whatever YOU think is best..." eye roll |
| Fake Agreement | "You're totally right, BUT..." |
| Fake Drama | "Did you hear what people are saying about you?" |
| Fake Martyr | "Fine, if it means that much to you..." |
| Fake Promises | "Don't worry, I'll take care of it!" - disappears moments later. |
| False Choice | "Do you want to do the dishes tonight or tomorrow?" |
| False Generosity | "After all I've done for you, THIS is how you treat me?" |
| False Humility | "I'm not THAT great, I just got lucky." |
| False Modesty Hook | "I'm so bad at this; can you check it for me?" |
| False Unity | "We're all in this together!" |
| Family Insult | "Uncle Mike & his kids keep fighting." |
| Favor Scam | "Remember when I bought you coffee years ago?" |
| Fear Appeal | "You'll regret this forever!" |
| Fear Based Marketing | "Your kids aren't safe without this security system!" |
| Flattery | "You're so smart! You'll handle this in no time!" - then you're drowned in their problems. |
| Foot-in-the-Door | "Can you help me real quick?" - then it becomes an all day project. |
| Framing Choices | "Most people pick this one. It's the best option." |
| Gaslighting | "Are you sure that's right? We we're really supposed to meet at 19:00." |
| Groupthink Pressure | "Don't be difficult. We all agree on this." |
| Guilt Trap | "Oh, I guess I'll just do everything myself, even though I'm exhausted..." |
| Guilt Tripping | "After everything I've done for you, you can't do this one thing for me?" |
| Helper Hustle | "Don't worry, I'll handle it for you!" - pulls out a list of 'sacrifices'. |
| Highlight Reel | "I ALWAYS ace my projects. I don't know why others find it so hard." |
| Hold Grudges | "I wouldn't mind if you forgot 3 years ago!" |
| Hot Potato | "Can you handle this? I'm soooo busy!" |
| Humblebrag | "Ugh, my bonus check was SO big, it barely fit in my wallet." |
| I Was Joking Defense | "Relax, it was just a joke!" |
| Illusion of Agreement | "Let's circle back to what we agreed on earlier." |
| Information Overload | "Let me explain, but first, here's the backstory from 1987..." |
| Instant Expert | "Actually, I've read a lot about this!" |
| Invade Your Privacy | "Who's that? Let me see your phone." |
| Isolation | "Your friends don't get you like I do!" |
| Loaded Question | "Why do you always mess things up?" |
| Love Bomb | "You're perfect! Everything I've ever wanted!" - only to lower your guard. |
| Love Withdrawal | "I can't deal with you right now!" |
| Make Jokes at Your Expense | "Wow, you actually cooked something without burning it!" |
| Make Plans Without You | "Sorry, I forgot to invite you!" |
| Media Control | "THIS is the truth." |
| Microaggression | "Oh... Interesting choice of shoes..." |
| Mirror Effect | "Wow, I love hiking too!" |
| Misunderstood Genius | "No one ever appreciates my ideas." |
| Misusing Status | "I'm the manager; my decision is final." |
| Mixed Signals | "I really care about you!" - then they vanish the moment you need them. |
| Negative Reinforcement | "Well, you finally didn't mess up this time." |
| Never Apologize | "Well, I'm sorry YOU feel that way." |
| Never Ask About You | interrupts "Ah, that reminds me of..." |
| Never Compromise | "It's my way or the highway!" |
| Never Show Appreciation | "Hmph, thanks." |
| No Boundaries | "Oh, so you don't want to spend time with me?" |
| Overcomplicated Plan | "Okay, so take the 3rd left, go 2 blocks, then cross 3 streets..." |
| Overexplaining a Simple Point | "Oh yeah, I went to the mall, parked near the entrance, saw this guy in a hat..." |
| Overloading Positivity | "This is literally PERFECT for you! Just BUY IT!" |
| Parental Pressure | "You live under my roof, you follow my rules." |
| Passive Aggressive | "Don't worry. I'll just do it myself since no one else cares." |
| Peer Pressure | "Everyone else is singing; don't be boring." |
| Personal Attack | "You're just too sensitive!" |
| Phone Sensitive | "Don't look! It's TOP SECRET!" |
| Playing Dumb | "Oh, I had no idea that would upset you!" |
| Pressure you Into Things | "I don't care! I still want to go out with you!" |
| Priming Effect | "By the way, did you hear about all those layoffs lately?" |
| Projection | "No, YOU'RE the selfish one!" |
| Public Humiliation | "Everyone saw you mess up; don't do that again." |
| Public Shaming | "I can't believe you'd wear that!" |
| Pygmalion Effect | "You're so talented! I expect you to do more!" |
| Reluctant Helper | "Ugh, I guess I can help..." |
| Reluctant Hero | "I didn't wanna get involved, but I simply had to save the day." |
| Reverse Psychology | "But you probably can't handle this..." |
| Rude to Waitstaff | "WHAT? You didn't give me extra ketchup?" |
| Salami Tactic | "Hey, can I ask you a small favor?" - & another, & another, & another. |
| Scarcity | "This is the last one, we're almost sold out!" |
| Selective Memory | "I never said that." |
| Selective Praise | "You are great! Can you make another presentation?" |
| Silent Treatment | "..." |
| Story Stretch | "Well, everyone else who tried this failed, but go ahead." |
| Strategic Omission | "Oh, I didn't think that detail mattered." |
| Strategic Silence | "So, that's what I think.........." |
| Subtle Shaming | "Oh, I guess you don't care about this as much as I do..." |
| Sudden Victim | "I can't believe you'd accuse me of that!" |
| Sympathy Exploitation | "I'm just going through so much; I REALLY need your help." |
| Talk Down to You | "You don't even know how to start a business the right way." |
| Talks Big, Does Nothing | "Huge things are coming soon!" |
| That's Just How I Am | "I'm brutally honest; it's just who I am." |
| The Chosen One | "You're the only one who can help me!" |
| The Norm | "This is just how everyone does it." |
| Threaten to Leave | "Maybe we should just split up." |
| Threatening Reputation | "If you don't agree, I'll have to let others know." |
| Token Gesture | "I said sorry, what more do you want?" |
| Tradition Manipulation | "This is how it's always been done in our family." |
| Triangulation Trap | "Jessica told me you were being difficult, just to let you know." |
| Unrealistic Expectations | "I expect you to be a chef, an assistant, & a mind reader all-in-one." |
| Unsolicited Critique | "I'm just giving feedback because I care." |
| Unspoken Expectation | "I thought you'd understand without me having to explain..." |
| Victim Card | "Ugh, nothing ever goes right for me. I wish life would treat me better." |
| Volume Strategy | "AAAAAAAAAA! I'M WINNING THE ARGUMENT BY YELLING!" |
| Whispered Critique | "Well, some people think you're unreliable." |
| White Lies | "Oh, I didn't see your message." |
| Workplace Coercion | "If you stay late to finish this, it'll be worth it!" |
| Wounded Underdog | "I can't believe you'd do this to me after everything I've been through!" |
| You Owe Me | "Can you look after my kids? Remember when you borrowed my pencil?" |
| Zero Accountability | "I got fired because my BOSS didn't understand me." |