Warning: The tactics below show how unethical actors covertly influence thoughts and behavior. This article is for defensive awareness only. Use these insights to recognize and resist manipulation, never to exploit others.
1. The Foot‑in‑the‑Door Amplifier
What it is: A tiny, painless request (e.g., “Can I send you a short survey?”) is granted. Once you say yes, the manipulator quickly escalates to much larger asks.
Why it works: We strive for internal consistency; having agreed once, we feel pressure to stay agreeable.
Defense: Pause before each new request. Treat every ask as a fresh decision, past compliance does not obligate future compliance.