this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2025
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Psychology

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Is there a specific term that describes attempting to manipulate somebody into black and white thinking? It seems like a pretty common tactic of abusers, but I'm not sure that I've ever heard it specifically described as a concept?

It involves gaslighting, but also forcefully coercing somebody into taking an action or making a decision.

An example would be saying something like "you're either with us or against us," where you are being coerced into believing that you must make a decision, and that whatever decision you make must be one of several predetermined outcomes laid out before you by somebody else.

Or, like Bernard William's critique of utilitarianism/the thought experiment of John and Pedro. It's meant to emphasize agency and moral integrity over utilitarian outcome, but is there a psychological term for the attempt of one individual to strip away another individual's agency and integrity?

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[โ€“] SendMePhotos@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I've kind of always lived my life this way though. Never thought of it as abuse. I'm doing my thing and you're either coming with me or you're not. It doesn't mean betray your family or friends but just... Like.. I'm going this way, you coming?

[โ€“] AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I don't think that's quite the same thing unless you try to manipulate somebody else into doing what you want them to do.

Like if somebody didn't want to go with you, would you be upset and try to coerce them into going along with you or would you just say, ok i'll catch up with you later?