Covert aggressive manipulation: This is distinguished from defensive manipulation. Here the motive is aggression, albeit hidden. It’s an indirect power play to get someone to act or feel the way the manipulator wants, using charm, implied rewards, compliments, veiled suggestions of punishment, helplessness, guilt, shaming, self-deprecation, or playing a victim role. On the outside, a manipulator doesn’t appear aggressive and may act like the aggrieved party, so the person being manipulated feels guilty, defensive, or confused.
