What drives deceitful and manipulative people?

Question

Are people born this way or does something drive them to be this way? and I am talking the real bad ones two-faced, analogues to demons.

Answer 1

Many of them are anti-social because of a failure to establish strong bonds (especially with their mother, somewhat less with their father). Read about Harry Harlow's experiments with monkeys and surrogate mothers (link below).

What is often not explained is that the failure to form these bonds, to be nurtured, causes different brain development than in a normal baby. There is research that shows that there is a genetic component in this - i.e. some are more affected than others because of a susceptibility.

If you are dealing with someone like this, it is best to just limit your contact as much as possible and understand that they are VERY unlikely to change significantly (almost no chance at all) and only then minimally with a lot of time. They are MOST CERTAINLY NOT going to change because of anything you do.

A lot of people will get angry about the above statement, but it is the stark reality.

Answer 2

Deceitful People

Answer 3

Imagine not having any conscence what so ever. If you were able to do things and not ever feel any remorse or guilt, and you could do those things with out any real effort, you would say why not. Most people dint like the idea of hurting or doing wrong things to people. Its more natural to have guilt then not when doing wrong. I believe its comes from what you were taught when you were young. For what it was worth my parents made us go to church every Sunday. I hated it. But the one thing it did do was instill a conscence in me. At least as an adult i have a choice to make as far as religion goes. Where if i was not made to go to church i would have no choice. That said it doesn't mean to end evil send everyone to church. It does say that as a youth if your taught that what you do has good and bad effects on others and eventually on yourself then mabey you'll think twice. Another thing is where is the golden rule written anymore. It was everywhere when i grew up.

Answer 4

I think what drives them is wanting control over situations and people to get what they think they want. They like to trap people and control them at all costs. I also think they do the things they do to cover up their own lies and failures. They do not even think that
what they do might have long term repercussions for the people they are supposed to love. Most people do not understand true love
of another human being. It is too far beyond their comprehension. It is terrible that there are so many bad parents in the world who decieve and manipulate their children.

Answer 5

Most deceitful, manipulative people are far from "anti-social", they are instead usually the life of the party constantly seeking to manipulate people into following them and making them the center of attention. Jim Jones is a prime example. They are the ones with all the answers and the narcissists who preen their feathers in groups. They crave control over followers and special attention. Most anti-social people do not seek attention from others nor do they seek followers or control over others.

Answer 6

The above responses ring true. What is interesting about this group is that they think they will gain from acting this way even though in general people see through them. Regular people avoid them and they are surrounded by "losers".

Logic evades them. I suspect that they recognize these traits or the absence of these traits in others, but still they think no one will notice these traits in them.

I get the feeling that they run into enough naive people that sometimes they get away with this act and as long as they can come out 'ahead of the game" some of the time, they think it is a worthwhile game to play.

Answer 7

Their own desires and wants-power, something you have, social status-whatever. Don't be fooled by their sob stories or excuses (tactics). They're out for themselves! Don't really care about you-just what they can get from you. Set limits. Firm limits. These people are all over the place and have a special sniffer for people they think they can manipulate. Be aware!!

Answer 8

Deceit and manipulation drives these people. I believe it was caused by the way they were raised. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Answer 9

most people that are trully deceitful, manipulitive people do have what is known as an anti-social personality disorder. it is often serious because those with this type of personality lack a conscious, have no remorse or the ability to be empathic. they know right from wrong but will still engage in deceit and impulsive behaviors that are against the social norm. they are usually highly intelligent and appear to be unable to express a normal range of emotions. possible causes are thought to be biological and sociological, that is, evolutionary biology may be at work. e.g. survival extincts, etc. anti-social personality can develop in psychopathy which can be dangerous to society and appears to have no cure. e.g. serial killers.................

Answer 10

i think some of it has to do with experience from past relationships that ppl have had where they have felt let down, betrayed and so that has shaped their minds to think and conclude that all ppl are not to be trusted...hence, it's easier to play mind games and be deceitful and that is a defense mechanism to preventing a hurt, a trauma with anyone...it's putting up walls so that no one can hurt that person ever again...pretty sad i say... coz not everyone is out there trying to get someone....