Negative people often resort to manipulation to undermine others. This fuels their own sense of superiority while tearing other people down. Being able to recognize their tactics can empower you and help you reclaim your confidence. Here are 10 common psychological games negative individuals will play and how you can fight back.
1. The Blame Game
“The Blame Game” is a common tactic used by negative people to shift responsibility away from themselves when things go wrong. For someone who isn’t very confident, this can make them feel like they are always at fault. Realizing when you are being unfairly blamed will help you fight against this manipulative tactic.
2. The Comparison Trap
Comparison is the thief of joy and, for negative people, it is used to make others feel bad about themselves. They will slyly compare less confident people to others and it will always make the person feel bad. Over time, this will decrease your self-worth and it can increase your insecurities. To combat this, you need to remember that comparison is often used to manipulate and what they are saying isn’t true.
3. Gaslighting
This is another form of manipulation. Gaslighting occurs when someone makes another person doubt their own reality or perceptions. Negative individuals will use this tactic to confuse others and make less confident people question themselves. Remember, trust your own experiences and seek validation from trusted people in your life.
4. Passive-Aggression
Rather than facing anything head-on, many negative individuals will use passive-aggressive tactics to make you second-guess yourself. This involves backhanded compliments, subtle digs, or sarcasm. The negative person will try to mask what they’ve said as a joke, but it is anything but a joke. Try to be assertive when communicating with them to counter this behavior.
5. Withholding Praise
Many less confident individuals seek praise. Negative people will use it as a weapon and withhold praise from others who crave affirmation. This can create a toxic environment where the less confident person is constantly looking for approval, but never receiving it. It’s important to find validation within yourself to get past this tactic.
6. Playing Victim
You might realize someone seems to try and play the victim every chance they get. They will often tell stories of how they’ve been treated badly, even if something was their fault. Playing the victim allows them to manipulate others into feeling guilty or responsible for something that wasn’t. You should keep an eye out for this behavior and remember that you cannot be held responsible for someone else’s feelings or experiences.
7. Isolation Tactics
Some negative people will try to isolate less confident individuals from others. They will subtly discourage your relationships with other people or say bad things about outside opinions. This is to keep your confidence low and make their opinion the most important. However, maintaining a strong support network is key to countering this tactic.
8. Minimizing Accomplishments
Similar to the withholding praise tactic, some negative individuals will try to minimize your accomplishments. They might say things like “It wasn’t that big of a deal,” or “Anyone could have done that.” This leaves the less confident person constantly seeking validation and possibly feeling like they can’t ever do enough. To protect yourself against this tactic, you should always acknowledge your own achievements and seek validation from yourself.
9. Sabotage
Sabotaging the efforts of people with less confidence is another tactic commonly used by negative people. They might spread rumors or intentionally give you bad advice. Whatever they do, the goal is to see you fail. Recognizing when someone is trying to sabotage you and removing yourself from toxic environments will go a long way in protecting yourself.
10. Creating False Urgency
Sometimes, a person will make it seem like a decision needs to be made immediately. By rushing them into it, the person who created a false sense of urgency will maintain control over the situation. You should be able to identify when you are being pressured into making a quick decision. Instead, take time to consider all of your options and you won’t fall victim to this trap.
Knowledge is Power
When it comes to dealing with negative people and their psychological tactics, knowledge is power. You should become familiar with this behavior and recognize when you are being manipulated. This will help you know how to react and take steps to protect yourself in the future. In the long run, it will help you build inner confidence and reclaim your sense of self.