What Is Psychological Pressure?

Do you feel like you often experience psychological pressure? If you’re a calm and confident person, you might want to say that you rarely encounter it. But think again! There are many different methods of influence, and often the “victim” doesn’t even realize they’re being pressured. All of this can have a huge impact on your life. If you want to avoid falling into this trap, read our article and use this knowledge for your own psychological self-defense.

Main Types of Psychological Pressure

Psychological pressure is the act of influencing others to change their beliefs, opinions, judgments, or decisions. It might seem like only strong, results-driven people use it, but that’s not true. A confident person will act openly and directly, not by making others uncomfortable through indirect means. There are many types of psychological pressure you’ve probably encountered in your life.

Coercion

Coercion is direct, overt pressure on another person. It’s only used when there’s some kind of power involved-otherwise, no one would comply. This power could be physical strength, authority, money, or information. The person being coerced is aware of what’s happening-unlike with manipulation. You can try to defend yourself by pointing out the aggressor’s behavior, as some people don’t like to admit they’re being aggressive. However, if the person isn’t bothered by this, it can be very difficult to resist this type of pressure.

Humiliation

This type of psychological pressure involves the aggressor trying to morally “crush” the victim. You might hear a lot of unpleasant things about yourself: that you’re stupid, ugly, clumsy, disorganized, and so on. In a state of psychological confusion, you lose control of the situation, making it easy for someone to pressure you: “Can’t you at least do this?” Normally, you’d never agree, but psychological defense mechanisms and the desire to prove your worth kick in. This tactic works mainly because of self-doubt.

Avoidance

This type of psychological pressure stands apart from the rest because it’s about wearing you down. When someone tries to pressure you and you want to clarify things, they start changing the subject or go on the defensive: “What’s your problem?” Or they ask why you’re always saying bad things about them. In this case, you need to notice when the topic shifts and bring it back: “Let’s talk about me later, right now we’re talking about you.” If you stay firm, there’s a good chance the aggressor will back off.

Suggestion

Suggestion is a type of psychological influence where a person starts to uncritically “swallow” information imposed from outside. The person using this method must be an authority figure to the victim, or it won’t work. The most extreme form is hypnosis, but suggestion can also happen while awake, using voice, intonation, and other subtle cues. Interestingly, some people think they’re immune to suggestion, but that’s rarely the case.

Persuasion

This is the most rational type of psychological pressure. It appeals to reason and logic. That’s why it only works on people with a normal level of intelligence and thinking skills-others simply won’t understand. Persuasive speech is logical, consistent, and evidence-based-if the victim notices any inconsistencies, the whole structure falls apart.

Manipulation

This is the most common type of psychological pressure. Its essence is to change someone’s behavior, worldview, or perception using hidden, forceful, or deceptive strategies. Usually, the manipulator’s interests are served at the victim’s expense, which is why manipulation is considered unethical. Psychologists disagree on this: some believe the ends justify the means (like a doctor convincing a patient to take medicine, or a mother giving a child a “choice” between two hats, when there’s really no choice). Others believe people should be given all the information and their freedom of choice should be respected, even if we disagree with their decision.

Manipulation that benefits the “victim” is rare. Usually, it’s about personal gain. Manipulation is a hidden form of psychological pressure-the person doesn’t understand the manipulator’s true motives or even that they’re being influenced. The benefit is entirely one-sided.

Manipulating people isn’t easy-it requires psychological knowledge, the ability to sense others’ weak spots, cold-bloodedness, and calculation. Manipulators are often ruthless and unconcerned about the harm they cause.

Manipulators use various tactics to control people’s minds. Needs and desires have always been used to influence others. For example, the well-known Russian love of “getting something for nothing” has made many scammers rich.

We all have certain ideals and values, like ideas about good and evil, right and wrong. Manipulators can easily use these against us. For example, giving money to a beggar seems kind and compassionate, but it’s well known that most of these donations go to scammers.

Intellect and logic can also be manipulated, using complex schemes, lots of numbers, and cause-and-effect chains. Network marketing professionals often use this: “Invest just a little, and you’ll get huge profits from these sources.” These schemes usually contain logical errors that make the manipulator’s desired outcome seem inevitable.

It’s also easy to manipulate irrational beliefs-ideas disconnected from reality that are hard to change. Examples include:

• I must take responsibility for everything.
• If someone asks for help, I must help.
• I must always sympathize with and help others.
• Every favor must be repaid.
• Everyone must love me.

All a manipulator has to do is press one of these “pain points,” and the person becomes almost completely compliant. These beliefs are so powerful that they can make us do almost anything, even things we don’t want to do.

But the most fertile ground for manipulation is our feelings and emotions. When someone stirs your emotions, it’s easy for them to use you for their own benefit. Women manipulate men, men manipulate women, parents manipulate children, and vice versa. For example: “You love me, so you won’t let me take public transportation.” This can go on forever, because emotions are an endless source of energy.

We’re manipulated almost everywhere: at work, in politics, advertising, relationships, and everyday life. If someone manipulates in one area, they’ll likely do it in others too.

Methods of Psychological Influence

Psychological pressure can take many forms-it all depends on the aggressor’s imagination. However, everyone should know the main methods of manipulating consciousness to resist them. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed, and that’s especially true when it comes to psychological pressure. So, what do people who like to influence others’ minds use most often?

Trance

One of the oldest ways to influence the human psyche. It puts our consciousness into a special state where we lose the ability to analyze information and make conscious decisions. Our attention focuses on something that benefits the manipulator. Trance can be induced in many ways-monotonous speech, rapidly changing images, swinging a pendulum, and so on. In this state, the mind is especially vulnerable to pressure, so you can be verbally influenced or provoked into unwanted actions.

Trigger Words

These are words that carry an important emotional meaning for the “victim.” Salespeople often use them to sell products: “Buy a more reliable TV, a more elegant coat, trendier shorts.” These words reflect qualities the victim wants to have.

Mirroring

This is when someone copies aspects of your behavior: intonation, breathing rhythm, posture, way of speaking, gaze, walk, and so on. It seems harmless, but after mirroring, psychological influence begins. You’re now “on the same wavelength,” making it easier for the person to lead you in the direction they want.

Appeal to Authority

When you want to convince someone, it’s often enough to refer to an expert in the field, and that’s it-you’ve won. This is a classic form of psychological pressure. Strangely, authorities can be wrong too, but that’s usually ignored.

Other People’s Games

These aren’t fun games, but manipulation schemes. There are many examples. For instance, a well-behaved child occasionally does something outrageous-not just to be naughty, but because they want to be praised for good behavior, which adults see as normal. After misbehaving, the chance of getting praise increases because parents notice the contrast. Another example: at work, a boss gives an employee a huge list of tasks for tomorrow. The employee is shocked, so the boss says, “Okay, just do this one.” The employee happily agrees, even though they wouldn’t have agreed to it at first.

Gratitude

This tactic involves someone doing you a small favor (which you may not have even asked for), then strongly hinting that you should thank them for it.

“Are You Too Scared?”

We all know this tactic from childhood: you’re given a choice-either do what’s asked, or you’re “bad.” Everyone uses it: men, colleagues, bosses, friends, salespeople. Paradoxically, it works!

Illusory Future

You’re shown a vivid picture of what will happen if you do what’s being asked. We’re wired to seek happiness and comfort, so we’ll do almost anything to achieve them, ignoring any possible downsides.

Frightening Images

If the above methods don’t work, someone might show you how bad things will be if you don’t comply. For example, a boss says, “If you don’t finish the report, the company will be fined.” Fear wins, and you agree.

How to Resist Psychological Pressure

Surprisingly, it’s much easier to resist psychological pressure than to apply it. First, you need to realize you’re being manipulated. Look for signs of the tactics described above in your partner’s behavior. If someone keeps focusing your attention on certain aspects of a problem and ignoring others, or makes generous promises that seem too good to be true, be alert. You might also notice unexplained sympathy for the person, sudden mood swings, feelings of guilt or obligation-these are all signs of manipulation.

Next, politely let the person know you’re onto them. Question the logic or necessity of the actions or decisions they’re demanding. Then suggest your own way of interacting-one that works for you. But remember: now you’re responsible for your actions, not just reacting to manipulation.

Of course, the manipulator will resist. In this case, it helps to ask clarifying questions: what do they mean by the problem, what are the objective conditions and limitations, what should be done to improve the situation, and so on. Ask why they chose you and why now-this helps you see what the aggressor is trying to “press.”

And most importantly-use your feelings and your brain. As mentioned above, the manipulator’s main goal is to activate your emotions and irrational beliefs, because these make you believe their words. But as soon as you step back and analyze the situation rationally, everything changes. The urgency disappears, and you no longer feel so guilty. So, if you think you’re being manipulated, start analyzing-and most importantly, don’t rush. Always ask for time to think things over. This helps you step outside the situation and see it objectively.

In today’s world, it’s crucial to know how to fight psychological pressure. We’ve almost stopped using weapons and physical force, so these are the main tools left to our “enemies.” To live happily, you need to recognize these tactics and protect yourself and your loved ones from such crude psychological interference.