Classifying Manipulation
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Original Question
We have mega-lists of logical fallacies, which are designed to play games with the mind.
Is anyone aware of any attempts to similarly classify manipulation?
Maybe the topic is too big or complex to even attempt a classification system, but let me give you some examples.
1. War is arguably the most extreme strategy for manipulating foreign governments.
2. I've attended union meetings where union officials use hand signals when they want someone in the audience to interrupt a debate.
3. I've also attended forums where an individual who identifies himself as an activist will loudly condemn corrupt officials...except I later discover that this person isn't an activist at all; he's actually working for the same entity he condemns.
4. The media often focus on relatively unimportant events in order to divert attention from truly important issues.
5. Sexual harassment might be another example.
I just wondered if anyone has attempted to organize and classify these manipulation techniques, similar to logical fallacies. Of course, there can also be a lot of overlap between fallacies and physical manipulation, which may make things even more confusing.
Is anyone aware of any attempts to similarly classify manipulation?
Maybe the topic is too big or complex to even attempt a classification system, but let me give you some examples.
1. War is arguably the most extreme strategy for manipulating foreign governments.
2. I've attended union meetings where union officials use hand signals when they want someone in the audience to interrupt a debate.
3. I've also attended forums where an individual who identifies himself as an activist will loudly condemn corrupt officials...except I later discover that this person isn't an activist at all; he's actually working for the same entity he condemns.
4. The media often focus on relatively unimportant events in order to divert attention from truly important issues.
5. Sexual harassment might be another example.
I just wondered if anyone has attempted to organize and classify these manipulation techniques, similar to logical fallacies. Of course, there can also be a lot of overlap between fallacies and physical manipulation, which may make things even more confusing.
Answers
1I thought about this question quote a bit when I was creating my course on Medial Bullsh*t. Everything I can find fit into these categories:
- logical fallacies
cognitive biases (or the deliberate exposing of them)
type of lies (see the wikipedia page on this<>)
persuasion techniques (mostly found in social psychology)
There was too much overlap, so I concluded that such a list would not add much value given the time it would take to compile. But that was my conclusion.
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