4. Playing the Hero Role
In contrast to being a victim, narcissists can also play the hero, staging heroic acts to intimidate their prey and make them believe they are being protected from villains—when they are the villains themselves. You can see people like this in action movies, where gangsters extort money from market vendors in exchange for the promise of security, as long as they pay the right price. This strategy makes their prey stick to them, believing that they can indeed offer them salvation amidst surrounding crime and chaos.
5. Oppression
Narcissists use this tactic to drain their prey of strength and make them incapable of fighting back. History shows us a lot of evidence of this tactic, as it has been commonly used by conquerors in the past. Adolf Hitler used this against Jews, and Spaniards used it against Filipinos. Predators know that prey are most likely to become submissive when oppressed. It doesn’t have to be physical; it can also be mental or emotional. Who wouldn’t feel overwhelmed? Unless you possess some superpower, you might find it safer to give in.
6. Blackmail or Threat
When you’re forced to choose between your own well-being—or even your life—versus giving in to the manipulator, you’re left with no choice but to comply. Narcissists excel at finding out their prey’s secrets and weak spots, utilizing them to get what they want. It could go something like, “Do this, or else I’ll do something you wouldn’t like.” They will make you believe that the only way to save face is to yield to their wishes.
7. Brainwashing
Oxford Dictionary defines brainwashing as the process of pressuring someone into adopting radically different beliefs by using systematic and often forcible means. Narcissists use this technique by planting ideas in their prey’s minds, forcing them to believe that their own beliefs are wrong and must be realigned to coincide with the predator’s beliefs. Predators introduce an ideal objective, making their prey think it is for their good while promising exaggerated rewards. For example, a father might convince a child that his divorced wife cannot provide for the child’s needs and wants, thus persuading the child to fulfill his desires.
Continue reading on the next page
Sharing is caring!
