Manipulation

Change in individual behavioural patterns may be achieved by manipulation. This is commonly defined as the management and direction of human beings by a clever use of their desires and qualities in order to control them for scientific, social or political ends not of their own choosing. This may be accomplished by intensive repeated information (propaganda, advertisements), and exposure to stress situations (sensory over-stimulation or sensory deprivation). Inherited traits may also be changed by genetic manipulation. Manipulation may also be used to denote the inadequately legitimated management and direction of a population by an elite, although more generally any interaction between groups of individuals attempting to advance a particular viewpoint may be interpreted as manipulative. This may even be the case when such change is advocated and promoted in the interests of individuals other than those engaged in the advocacy process.

All therapeutic processes (including the use of drugs or surgery) which aim to correct defects of body or mind may be interpreted as containing an element of manipulation since they interfere with the nature of another person even though this may be done in the interests of healing such defects.