These Two Types of People Are the Most Likely To Experience Manipulation—Here's Why and What To Do

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These Two Types of People Are the Most Likely To Experience Manipulation—Here's Why and What To Do originally appeared on Parade.
No one wakes up intending to be manipulated. Learning you've been conned and used can send you down a shame spiral. "I should've known," you might think. That may not be true, though. Psychologists reveal that certain are more likely to get . Understanding your risk of manipulation is important."Knowing whether you're easily manipulated helps protect your emotional, financial and psychological well-being," explains Dr. Leah Kaylor, Ph.D., a clinical and prescribing psychologist with a private practice. "If you don't recognize manipulation, you're more likely to be taken advantage of, make decisions that don't align with your values or end up in toxic relationships without realizing it."No one sets an intention for any of those issues, either. To help you avoid them, psychologists share the two types of people most likely to experience and what to do.Related:
These Two Types of People Are the Easiest to Manipulate, Psychologists Warn
Firstly, anyone can be easily manipulated, even by the "right" person. But there are a couple of groups of people who are more likely to be duped. And psychologists reveal that people-pleasers and individuals with low self-esteem are at the highest risk of experiencing manipulation. "People-pleasers have difficulty saying 'no' and want to make others happy, often at the expense of their own happiness," shares Dr. Jan Miller, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks. "Someone with low self-esteem may be easily manipulated due to their over-reliance on external validation and lack of a solid sense of self."If these characteristics sound familiar, read on to understand why they put you at a greater chance of getting manipulated and what to do.
Why people-pleasers are easier to manipulate
Dr. Miller explains that people-pleasers fear rejection from others. They believe at their core that conflict will result in rejection, so they avoid it at all costs. "A people-pleaser will do almost anything to maintain harmony, which makes it easier for someone who wants to manipulate to get what they want," she says.Notably, one psychologist notes that people-pleasers aren't inherently "bad" humans; they're usually anything but, which makes it all the more heartbreaking when they get taken advantage of."People-pleasing can be a strength," points out Dr. Amy Kincaid Todey, Ph.D., a psychologist with Todey Psychology. "It can serve you well in love, parenting, friendship and even professional relationships. It reflects empathy, emotional intelligence and a desire to contribute positively to the world."However, without boundaries, people-pleasing opens the door for bad actors."When this impulse becomes unboundaried or unconscious, it can attract people who exploit you and your kindness," she shares.Related:
Why low self-esteem increases manipulation risk
"Low self-esteem can cause someone to believe their needs, thoughts or feelings are less important than others," Dr. Kaylor explains.The need for external validation runs deep in people with little self-esteem."They may look to others to define their worth and struggle to assert boundaries," she adds. "Manipulators often sense this and exploit it, knowing the person won't push back."Dr. Todey echoes these sentiments."When someone doesn't believe in their worth, they're more likely to tolerate poor treatment or seek external validation at any cost," she notes.Related:
How to Avoid Manipulation
1. Learn the signs
Dr. Todey says signs of manipulation aren't always overt—and can occur in your own body. She says clients often "describe a churning in their stomach, a fog in their thinking and the nagging sense that something just isn't right, but they can't always name what's wrong."Other signals include:
Guilt for saying "no"
Frequently second-guessing yourself after conversations
Feeling overwhelmed and responsible for another person's emotions
Apologizing, even when you didn't do anything wrong
Going along to get along, even at your own expense
Constantly feeling as if you're walking on eggshells
Increasingly becoming isolated from family and friends
Feeling lonely in your relationship, like you are misunderstood and emotionally neglected
Experiencing emotional whiplash, like you are idealized and then quickly devalued.
Not feeling safe expressing your emotions because when you do, your partner invalidates them
2. Build self-worth from within
People-pleasers and folks with low self-esteem can benefit from a boost in self-worth. However, it won't come from compliments and praise."Instead of seeking validation from others, remind yourself of your values, strengths and rights," Dr. Kaylor says. "When you believe you matter, you're less likely to tolerate manipulation."
3. Strengthen your boundary-setting skills
A lack of boundaries is a common thread that leaves people-pleasers and individuals with low self-esteem open to manipulation. Learning to set and maintain boundaries combats this risk factor."By being able to recognize their boundaries, they can increase their ability to recognize when others are trying to cross them," Dr. Miller explains.Dr. Kaylor notes that boundary-setting may include learning to say "no" without over-explaining yourself.
4. Learn to tolerate discomfort
The work of protecting yourself from manipulation is not easy, especially when holding firm in boundaries is involved, and you are a people-pleaser or someone with low self-esteem."Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable sometimes, especially if you are worried about rejection or disapproval," Dr. Todey says. "However, the more you can sit with that discomfort, rather than needing to act on it, the more empowered you'll feel in your relationships."
5. Communicate your own emotions clearly using 'I' statements
You don't have to hide your feelings to protect others. In fact, getting them out in the open protects you—and that matters."Remember—your emotions are never wrong," Dr. Todey stresses. "Communicating how you feel with confidence will provide a pathway to clarity and boundaries."
6. Get support
Learning that someone you trusted manipulated you is a lonely feeling. However, you don't have to heal alone."Talk to your support system, including close friends and family members, those who have your best interests in mind," Dr. Todey advises. "Seeking therapy is also a very helpful tool that can bring clarity." Up Next:Sources:
Dr. Leah Kaylor, Ph.D., a clinical and prescribing psychologist with a private practice
Dr. Jan Miller, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks
Dr. Amy Kincaid Todey, Ph.D., a psychologist with Todey Psychology
These Two Types of People Are the Most Likely To Experience Manipulation—Here's Why and What To Do first appeared on Parade on Aug 11, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.