Which one one is worse - Manipulation or Physical violence?

Question

Manipulation is subtle and not explicit whereas violence is explicit and can be combated.

Answer 1

I think messing with someone's head is worse than physical assault, although the latter also causes the former. Emotional abuse can be devastating, which is why some forms of torture have very little to do with attacking people physically. I've said this before, but watch the movie "In the Company of Men"--it's a good indication of how messing with someone's mind can be worse than a punch in the face. Neither is good, and it's hard to quantify "worse" vs "better" but emotional abuse is a very real problem and causes long-term and severe problems.

Answer 2

Great question!

I would think manipulation would be worse. A person can see violence coming and dodge or leave or somehow avoid it. Often, a person isn't aware he's being manipulated until it's too late. The mental and emotional scars of manipulation can last a long time and sometimes cause more pain and suffering than physical violence.

Answer 3

Depends on the severity. It would certainly be difficult to find instances of "equal severity," since we don't know what "equal" would mean in this context.

Notice how this appears to be an educated answer, but in the end it's just saying "We don't know" or "That's a foolish statement." Remember to beware these kinds of pretentious responses and don't forget to admonish those who use them.

Seriously, though, "worse" really does depend on what one is considering. Are you considering morals? The damage done to actual people?

The best I could personally say is that you would have to take it on a case by case basis. Humans can tell pretty intuitively (I think) who has the shortest end of the stick by comparing two things. Extreme manipulation will almost invariably be worse than extreme physical violence, though, because manipulation could entail convincing a person to kill his best friend over a simple disagreement.

Or something along those lines. This would, in the end, amount to physical violence anyways, along with emotional abuse and other damages.

Answer 4

Your question is extremely valid and timely. Psychologists say that emotional abuse is the hardest to get over. Being a victim of it from my parents, I know this to be true. Women are substantially more likely to mess with a man's head subconsciously, but still intentionally, than vice versa. What you should keep in mind is that there are varying degrees of manipulation, and not all manipulation is malevolent. I would have to say, if we included incidence in the comparison, it would clearly be manipulation. Also, if a man hits a woman, it's obvious....it's time to leave. When a woman manipulates a man, he might not notice for months, but the damage will be done.

Answer 5

Unlike subtle manipulation, unsubtle physical violence can

leave

one

DEAD.

Answer 6

manipulation. physical violence is tangible whereas manipulation isn't and the effects are subtle and you sometimes don't realize them for sometimes, maybe years later. they can leave you feeling humiliated and destroy your self esteem. i would rather have someone hit me and know what i'm getting into than have them play with my head.

Answer 7

physical violence is bad but emotional violence is devastating.

Answer 8

This is a great question.

I would say manipulation - because of it's lack of tangibility.

Answer 9

i would have to say physical violence.