While Psychology is the study of human behavior and is central to our thoughts, actions, and interactions, the term Dark Psychology is the phenomenon by which people use tactics of motivation, persuasion, manipulation and coercion to get what they want.

Dark psychology is the science and art of mind control and manipulation. If psychology refers to the study of the behavior of humans and focuses on actions, interactions, and thoughts, dark psychology is a phenomenon where people use tactics of coercion, manipulation, persuasion, and motivation just to get the things they want.

There is such a thing known as “The Dark Triad” that pertains to what psychologists and criminologists identify as the easy way of predicting not only criminal behavior but also broken and problematic relationships.

The traits included in the Dark Triad are the following:

• Machiavellianism - The use of manipulation to exploit and deceive people with no sense of morality.
• Narcissism – It involves lack of empathy, grandiosity, and egotism.
• Psychopathy – Usually friendly and charming but is characterized by remorselessness, lack of empathy, impulsivity, and selfishness.

No one wants to be manipulated but the sad news is that it can happen pretty often. You might not be the subject to a person who belongs to Dark Triad. However, average people encounter tactics of dark psychology every single day.

These strategies can often be seen in online ads, commercials, sales methods, and even the behaviors of superiors at work. Parents of kids, specifically teens, will most definitely experience such tactics as their children start experimenting with behaviors to seek autonomy and get the things they want. The truth is that dark persuasion and covert manipulation are typically used by those people that you love and trust.