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Seven Tiers of Manipulation

Last modified by TLE Archivist ONE on 2026/05/25 17:50

Originally part of a response to a question from Jon on 2/28/10

FROM MICHAEL:

We would describe 7 tiers of Manipulation as:

  • Provocation - A Moving-centered attempt to trigger reactions within the target of manipulation
  • Redirection - An Emotional-centered attempt to distract, bait-and-switch, overshadow intentions to manipulate the target
  • Guilt - An Intellectually-centered attempt to shame, and generate justification within the target for following the intentions of the manipulator
  • Apathy - An Instinctive-centered attempt to drop all resonance or connection with the target as a means to prompt an instinctive reaching out, or nurturing for the manipulator.
  • Blame - A Higher Intellectual attempt draw the target into correcting a wrong that would then fulfill the intentions of the manipulator, or at least to halt the intentions of the target. Tears are often used here.
  • Undermining - A Higher Emotional attempt to drain the target of any vision, hope, or personal intention as a means to fulfill the intentions of the manipulator, or to at least halt the intentions of the target. The manipulator often showcases his or her happiness and pleasure as compared to the target's as a means to implement this tier manipulation.
  • Cloaking - A Higher Moving attempt using complete denial and separation between the manipulation and the manipulator, often through teasing, humor, and other acts that draw the target into a confusing and contradictory relationship that can eventually bring about the intentions of the manipulator.

These are not utilized in any particular order, though we arranged the tiers in a way that we see each growing more and more insidious and long-term in its goals, and more and more removed from the conscious awareness of the manipulator. In other words, the higher the tier, the less-likely the manipulator even realizes he or she is manipulating, and the deeper the motivation.

Though it could be said that these may be extensions of the various Chief Negative Features as defined by the Axis, they are not exclusive to any fragment's habitual Chief Negative Feature. However, it could be said that depending on one's own Chief Negative Feature, one could be more sensitive to the impact from that relative form of manipulation, showing up as attracting it disproportionately or gaining a capability for identifying it faster.