Psychological manipulation can be defined as the exercise of excessive influence through mental distortion and emotional oppression, with the purpose to take power, control, benefits and/or privileges at the victim’s expense.

It is important to distinguish healthy social influence from psychological manipulation. Healthy social influence occurs between most people, and is part of the give and take of effective relationships. In psychological manipulation, one person is used for the benefit of another. The manipulator purposely creates an imbalance of power and take advantage ofthe victim to serve his or her agenda.