How manipulative are you?

Question

How manipulative do you think you can be? Do you think that it a positive or a negative aspect of a persons character? Let me know?

I only ask this question because I was spaeking to a mate who openly admitted that she was manipulative. I have always thought that it was a negative characteristic, but she kind of point about influencing people in a positive way so that is why I am asking the question can it ever be a good thing?

Answer 1

It depends entirely on the situation. Everyone manipulates at some point. Children do it, so do girls and boys, women and men, friends, neighbors, bosses, the police, government, corporations, etc., ad infinitum.

Sometimes one must use their skill at manipulation to achieve a positive or favorable result. If the skill is used wisely, there really isn't anything wrong with it.

When the skill is used for selfishness or avarice, there are definitely moral issues attached. This is especially true of people who manipulate gullible or innocent people. That would include mentally incompetent, retarded, medicated, intoxicated or impaired in some other way.

I think how this aspect of a person's character effects their character, depends solely on how this particular skill is used.

Answer 2

I never realised I was until I worked at a home for teenagers with emotional behavioural problems, I learnt a lot about them, and consequently myself. I'm not a particularly manipulative person, but can now recognise when I am being manipulative, and so, if I feel that behaviour is innapropriate, or unkind I can try and find another way of dealing with it. Consequently I am probably the least manipulative person I know

Answer 3

Everyone is manipulative in some way or another, whether it be bribing your kids with things to be good or using your good looks to get the attention of the opposite sex or telling a little white lie to not hurt someones feelings. These are all forms of manipulation and we have all done at least one of these things, or I know that everyone I know has.

Answer 4

Everyone is manipulative. It starts from the moment we are born and let out our first cry to manipulate our mothers. As we grow, we learn even more ways to get her to do what we want. Then we go on to try it on anyone we think will fall for it.

Answer 5

Lol, I'm far from manipulative. It's probably that I mostly tell the truth, so that if I tell a lie, some people couldn't tell.

It's..sorta a positive thing towards yourself because you can get away with things, but negative towards the people surrounding you because they're basically lies, right?

Answer 6

If it is for an end cause, I can be very manipulative. I currently am using a job interview with another company to acquire a job with my current employer. I have no desire of moving somewhere else, and am using passive manipulation, where they feel obliged (if not desperate) to modify my current status to maintain status quo. Using eye contact and making them maintain eye contact can sometimes be a critical element. Making them accomplish simple tasks until they exhibit the desired behaviour, and shaping it at each phase until the goal is accomplished. It will be mine, mine all mine . . . . .

Answer 7

I have seen manipulative people misuse others in unbelievably unfair and cruel ways but on the other hand i think ethical professional councilors and psychiatrist manipulate people in a positive way. I also think it is used in a very unfair way in advertising. This is just my opinion.

Answer 8

I am not, nor ever have been a manipulative person. Being so, isn't a positive aspect of one's character in my opinion.

Answer 9

i am quiet manipulative

I know what people want, and in order to get what i want i am willing to be manipulative, i don't see this as a bad characteristic, but other people view it in a negative way

Answer 10

I say what is on my mind and you can either deal with it or not. If that is considered manipulative then so be it.