Psychology

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nonfatmatt@lemmy.world

Is there a term for the tactic used by some abusers to take away a person's sense of agency? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works to c/psychology@lemmy.world

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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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[–] mechanismatic@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

It may not encompass all that you're referring to, but false dilemma is the informal fallacy they're using when they artificially try to limit the perception of choices.

[–] gustofwind@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

Also interested bump

[–] 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?

[–] 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?

[–] lemmie689@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I think it's just brainwash, not very academic sounding, maybe like "cerebri lavare".

[–] AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works 1 points 21 hours ago

I think this may be the closest

'We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors...and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do'.