We all know someone who’s a master of manipulation, who uses twisty tricks to bend the truth to their advantage.

Psychology teaches us that these individuals don’t just lie. Instead, they use a set of tactics to make their version of the truth seem more believable.

Understanding these tactics can help you spot when someone is pulling the wool over your eyes. So let’s dive into the eight ways tricky people twist the truth, according to psychology.

1) Playing the victim card

We’ve all encountered people who have a knack for twisting reality to suit their narrative, especially when they’re in hot water.

According to psychology, one common tactic these individuals use is playing the victim.

Here’s how it works: When confronted with a situation where they’re clearly in the wrong, they flip the script. Suddenly, they’re the ones being wronged, and everyone else is the aggressor.

The goal? To elicit sympathy and divert attention away from their own misdeeds.

It’s a powerful tool of manipulation because it preys on our natural tendency to empathize with others. But knowing this trick can help you spot it when it’s being used.

So, if someone is always playing the victim, take a step back and examine the situation objectively. They might just be trying to twist the truth to their advantage.

2) Gaslighting

As someone who’s been on the receiving end of this tactic, I can attest to how devious it can be.

Gaslighting is when someone manipulates you into questioning your own sanity or reality. It’s a form of psychological abuse that can make you feel like you’re losing your mind.

For example, I once had a friend who would constantly make up stories about things that never happened. Like that time she claimed we had a conversation about an event we were supposed to attend together. I had no memory of this, but she insisted it happened and made me feel as if I was the one forgetting things.

This caused me to question my memory and even my sanity. But over time, I realized it was a tactic she used to manipulate the truth and get her way.

Gaslighting is a subtle but powerful way to twist the truth. By making you question your own reality, the manipulator gains control and steers the narrative in their favor. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. You might be dealing with a gaslighter.

3) Cherry-picking information

One of the ways people manipulate the truth to their advantage is by cherry-picking information. This is when someone focuses on a few select details and deliberately ignores the rest to support their argument.

Take climate change, for example. Some skeptics will point out that there are periods in Earth’s history where temperatures were higher than they are now, suggesting that the current warming trend is natural.

But what they leave out is that those periods of high temperatures happened over millions of years, not decades. And they often fail to mention that the rapid increase in temperatures we’re seeing now aligns with the rise in human-produced greenhouse gases.

Cherry-picking information creates a distorted view of reality, allowing someone to manipulate facts to their advantage. By understanding this tactic, you can be better prepared to question what you’re being told and seek out the full picture.

4) The blame game

Blaming others is a classic tactic used by people who twist the truth to their advantage. It’s all about shifting responsibility away from themselves and onto someone else.

Imagine a colleague who made a mistake on a project, but instead of owning up to it, they blame you. “I was following your instructions,” or “You didn’t clarify this point,” they may argue. Their goal is to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and maintaining a positive image.

These blame shifters can be quite convincing, making it seem like their logic is sound. But remember, mistakes are a part of life, and how we handle them speaks more about our character than the mistake itself. So if someone is quick to point fingers, they might be trying to twist the truth to their benefit.

5) Emotional manipulation

There’s a deep, emotional connection that we share with the people we care about. Unfortunately, some individuals exploit this bond to twist the truth to their advantage.

Emotional manipulation is when someone uses your feelings against you. They might play on your fears, guilt, or insecurities to get what they want. This tactic can be incredibly damaging, leaving you feeling confused and hurt.

For instance, a friend might say, “If you really cared about me, you’d lend me the money.” They’re trying to guilt you into doing something you’re uncomfortable with by questioning your feelings for them.

Remember that true friends and loved ones respect your boundaries and feelings. If someone is using your emotions against you, it’s a sign they’re twisting the truth to serve their own ends.

6) The art of deflection

Deflection is a tactic I’ve seen used time and time again. It’s when someone changes the subject or shifts the focus to avoid answering a question or addressing a problem.

I remember a time when I had a roommate who would leave his dirty dishes in the sink for days. When confronted about it, he’d deflect by saying, “Well, you left your laundry in the dryer for a week.”

Instead of addressing the issue at hand – his dirty dishes – he redirected the conversation to my laundry, making it seem like we were both at fault. This clever deflection kept us from resolving the original issue.

Deflection is often used to evade responsibility and twist the truth. By recognizing this tactic, you can steer the conversation back to the original topic and address the issue at hand.

7) Deceptive body language

Body language speaks volumes. In fact, studies show that a considerable amount of our communication is non-verbal. Tricky individuals can use this to their advantage by manipulating their body language to convey a different message than what they’re actually saying.

For example, someone might maintain strong eye contact while lying to give the impression of honesty. Or they might use open gestures to appear friendly and trustworthy while they’re deceiving you.

Understanding body language cues and inconsistencies can help you spot when someone is attempting to twist the truth. So, while words are important, always remember to pay attention to what isn’t being said as well.

8) Misleading with statistics

As the saying goes, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Statistics are powerful tools for persuasion, but they can also be manipulated to support almost any argument.

Someone might present a statistic out of context, use a small or biased sample size, or choose a particular timeframe that supports their point. These manipulative practices can lead to false conclusions and a distorted perception of reality.

So be critical when presented with statistics. Always consider the source, context, and how the data was collected. By doing this, you’ll be better equipped to identify when someone is using statistics to twist the truth.

Final thoughts: Truth in the balance

Understanding human behavior is a complex task, inherently tied to psychology. The ways in which individuals twist the truth to their advantage is a prime example of this complexity.

Recognizing these tactics is more than just a means of self-defense. It’s a path towards empathy and understanding. It allows us to see the insecurities, fears, and desires that drive people to manipulate the truth.

It is said by French philosopher Blaise Pascal that “truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.”

By being aware of these eight tactics, not only can we protect ourselves from manipulation but also strive towards transparency and truth in our own interactions.

Always remember, knowledge is power. The more we understand about human behavior and manipulation tactics, the better equipped we are to navigate our relationships and the world around us.